Telstra sends out 500 SMS via Starlink in real-time messaging check

Telstra has truly begun a real-time check of satellite-to-mobile messaging in native Australia, upfront of an industrial launch of the answer “in the coming months”.

Technology development and development exec Channa Seneviratne said in a blog post that “500-plus” messages had truly been despatched out up till now within the real-time check, which is working “in areas outside of Telstra’s mobile network coverage in NT, WA, Qld and NSW”.

The check is moreover analyzing the aptitude of the answer to ship out “GPS coordinates and emojis via text message.”

Testers are using Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra cell phone.

Seneviratne acknowledged that “when satellite-to-mobile launches, those with a supported device, up-to-date software and [an] eligible plan won’t need to do anything or activate any settings to access the satellite to mobile service.”

Details of those issues weren’t immediately available.

Telstra is using Starlink options to produce the brand-new capability, below a proposal struck in the beginning of this 12 months.

Outside of the real-time check, Seneviratne acknowledged that up till now “more than 55,000 text messages” have truly been despatched out using the answer as a result of the start of April.

“We’ve been testing and refining it for Australian conditions,” he acknowledged.

Satellite- to-mobile is moreover known as straight to cell phone (DTH) or straight to cell (DTC) innovation.

When it releases readily, the answer will definitely maintain simply textual content, not internet messaging purposes, Seneviratne stored in thoughts.

Services would definitely be available “on mainland Australia and Tasmania, excluding the Australian Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia.”

“Once connected to a Starlink direct to cell satellite, the phone will display ‘Telstra SpaceX’ on the network banner,” Seneviratne acknowledged.

Users will definitely require to carry their telephone to the skies for presumably a few minutes, as the answer is “intermittent”.

Seneviratne included that the answer is just not meant to be utilized in an emergency scenario.

“This is currently really a ‘just-in-case’ connectivity layer that allows a person to make contact and let someone know they are ok when they are stuck outside Telstra’s mobile coverage footprint with a flat tyre or running a bit late from a hike,” he acknowledged.

“It is, nonetheless, not created to be an emergency scenario answer as you cannot message Australian emergency scenario -responders straight and calls will not be but available using our satellite tv for pc to cell messaging answer.

“It is always recommended that anyone planning on visiting remote regions should plan ahead and take extra precautions in the case of an emergency.”