Zscaler announces ANZ Partner Awards 2024 winners Telstra said it intends to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite-to-mobile text messaging for its customers natiowide, and has started testing and refining the offering ahead of a commercial launch at an unspecified date. The partnership aimed to extend coverage beyond Telstra's existing mobile network, which currently reached 99.7 per cent of Australia's population. "This technology will create a future where basic connectivity becomes possible from some of Australia's most remote locations," Shailin Sehgal, group executive global networks and tech at Telstra said. The new service would not require special handsets, as it utilises technology already present in modern smartphones. Telstra did not say which handsets it expects will be compatible with the satellite texting service via Starlink. However, a Telstra spokesperson sent through the following guidance: "Currently, satellite-to-mobile (STM) or direct-to-handset (DTH) technology is only available on the latest iPhones that include Apple Emergency SoS, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, with iOS 16.1 or later," the spokesperson said. "[It] allows users to send text messages to an emergency responder when out of range of any mobile tower and are outdoors with a clear line of sight to the satellite. "Apple's “Find my Friend” allows customers to share their location via satellite beyond mobile coverage," the spokesperson added. "STM is currently really a “just-in-case" safety-net to allow a person to make contact for help or let someone know they are ok when they are outside their own carrier's mobile coverage footprint." "The capability we’re working on with SpaceX’s Starlink will enable users with compatible mobile phones to send and receive a short messaging service (SMS) in most parts of Australia where there is a direct line of sight to the sky – outside of just emergency situations and not limited to compatible Apple iPhones," the spokesperson said. Many customers won't need to buy a specific, compatible phone to send SMS over Satellite To Mobile, as the service will use technology already inside modern devices. "We expect to initially deliver this service to devices that have a specific operating system support for Satellite-to-Mobile, to ensure the best customer experience possible; however that is still to be confirmed and is part of what we’re testing." "Lots of phones today have that mode already integrated," the spokesperson said. Telstra's existing network covers three million square kilometres. Anticipate service coverage will be available from most outdoor areas on mainland Australia and Tasmania where customers have direct line of sight to the sky. The telco incumbent said it invested A$11.8 billion in its mobile network infrastructure over the past seven years. Initial rollout would focus on text messaging capabilities, with voice and basic data services planned for future development. The service excluded the Australian Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia and remote offshore territories. "Satellite-to-mobile is most relevant to people in regional and remote areas of the country that are outside their carrier's mobile coverage footprint," said Sehgal. The announcement built upon Telstra's existing relationship with SpaceX's Starlink on Low-Earth-Orbit satellite internet products for homes and small businesses. Across the Tasman, One New Zealand launched Starlink-based Satellite TXT service in December last year. The Starlink service uses 4G/LTE.