Telstra launches Australia's first satellite to mobile text service

Telstra has rolled out Australia's first satellite to mobile text messaging service, though the offering remains initially restricted to customers using Samsung Galaxy S25 series devices.

Called Telstra Satellite Messaging it involves Telstra partnering with SpaceX's Starlink for acces to the Direct to Cell network for text messaging, when customers are beyond traditional mobile network coverage.

The telco incumbent's announcement follows New Zealand's One NZ, which became the first carrier globally to launch a nationwide satellite-based direct-to-cellular texting service in December 2024.

It is available for consumer and small business customers, on monthly paid on-account mobile plans - and who have a Samsung Galaxy S25 series device, updated with the latest firmware.

"Being able to send or receive a text message from an outdoor location that is beyond the range of our mobile network is a significant step forward and reinforces our commitment to pioneer new connectivity options for Australians," Tom Beach, Telstra consumer executive, said.

The service has undergone months of testing with Telstra engineers and employees across Australia, including remote locations, to ensure proper functionality before commercial launch.

Across the Tasman, One New Zealand carrier's service covers approximately 40 per cent of the country's landmass not served by traditional mobile networks.

The service has since expanded to more than 300,000 eligible customers.

Telstra said the satellite service complements rather than replaces its mobile network, which continues to provide faster, higher quality and more reliable experiences for voice, web browsing, video calling and streaming services.

Eligible customers will receive the service as part of their core plan inclusions without additional charges. Rollout to all eligible customers should complete over the coming weeks.

Eventually, a fuller satellite service option is intended to be available from Telstra, with basic voice and data services.

Other Australian telcos such as Vodafone/TPG are trialling low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service options; earlier this year, Optus put the brakes on its launch of satellite texting service through Starlink, saying it had missed its original 2024 deadline, and was reviewing current delivery milestones, Techpartner.news' sister publication iTnews reported.