What devices are supported?
Right now, at the very beginning phase of the rollout, Telstra is only supporting phones in the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. But it is expected to quickly expand to other devices, presumably including the latest iPhones.
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Smartphones will need to have the appropriate hardware built in to contact the satellites, and many current phones from major brands do. For example, iPhones from 13 onwards support satellite SOS, and Googleโs Pixel 9 series have satellite features too. But Telstra will need to work with the brands to roll out software updates that enable its specific feature to work. Telstra did not give a specific schedule for rolling out the capability to all compatible devices, but suggested a time frame of weeks rather than months.
Why is satellite messaging beneficial compared with normal text messaging?
The footprint of Starlinkโs constellation covers Telstra black spots across the whole of mainland Australia and Tasmania, excluding the Australian Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia and remote offshore territories and islands. So while texting via satellite isnโt as convenient (it takes longer, and requires a clear view of the sky), it allows for messaging in locations that the Telstra network does not reach.
This means that people who are living in areas of regional Australia with no access to Telstraโs mobile network can use the service to send and receive messages, for example, if a farmer is outside and not in range of their homeโs Wi-Fi. It will also apply to people working in or passing through black spots, which could include miners on a dig site, hikers and campers, or those on long drives.
What is Elon Muskโs Starlink?
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SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is a US-based space technology company. It began launching Starlink satellites in 2019. There are more than 7000 satellites in the constellation, synchronised in low earth orbit to communicate with receivers on the ground. The constellation is primarily used to provide internet connectivity, and it has more than 5 million commercial subscribers.
The service has also made headlines for playing a significant role in the connectivity of Ukraineโs forces during the current war with Russia. More recently, Starlink has been accused of allowing its satellites to power massive scam factories in Myanmar, staffed largely by trafficked captives.
How can I access it?
Starlink is powering an increasing number of satellite connectivity services in Australia. You can order a Starlink dish directly from SpaceX, either for your home or as a portable unit that can supply internet on the go. There are also business products that can keep you connected globally, even on boats or aeroplanes.
Telstraโs home satellite connection plans are also powered by Starlink.
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