Telstra Goes Starlink

For millions of Australians living or travelling beyond major urban and regional centres, the frustration of patchy or non-existent mobile coverage has long been a harsh reality. That has finally changed dramatically, as Telstra has officially launched "Telstra Satellite Messaging," enabling its customers to send SMS messages from virtually anywhere across the continent, provided they have a clear view of the sky.

This service leverages the advanced "direct to cell" capabilities of new SpaceX Starlink satellites. While only 25-30 percent of Australia currently boasts traditional mobile coverage, Telstra's new offering aims to bridge this vast communication gap.

How do you turn it on?..."As long as your phone has a direct line of sight to the sky, your phone will show 'Telstra SpaceX' as the mobile network, with a Satellite icon in the signal strength area" 

This seamless connection allows Telstra customers on an upfront plan to send text messages to any Australian mobile number, regardless of their location, from the remotest outback to the most isolated coastal stretches.

The service's initial rollout is exclusively for the latest Samsung Galaxy S25 with the newest software update. However, hints from testing in the USA suggest broader device compatibility is on the horizon, with older Samsung phones, recent iPhones (from the last 3-4 years), Google devices, and Motorola's foldable Razr potentially gaining access via future software updates and Telstra network validation.

Telstra's move places it ahead in the satellite-to-phone race in Australia. While Optus had an earlier deal with SpaceX, certification delays allowed Telstra to swiftly capitalize on the technology. Vodafone is also reportedly testing similar capabilities with an alternative satellite provider (I think Lynk Global and AST SpaceMobile)

While the service is currently limited to SMS, making it unsuitable for Triple Zero emergency calls, its implications for safety and connectivity are immense. Users can now communicate with friends and family from previously unreachable areas, offering peace of mind for adventurers, remote workers, and residents alike. Looking ahead, Telstra plans to introduce voice calling capabilities in 2026, with slow data access for messaging applications also on the roadmap.

​For a nation defined by its vast and often uninhabited landscapes, Telstra Satellite Messaging represents a revolutionary leap forward, fundamentally altering how Australians connect in the bush, on remote roads, and in any location far from traditional mobile towers.

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Image created by AI