Starlink, the satellite internet network owned by the Elon Musk-founded SpaceX, has launched its first nationwide text messaging service in New Zealand, in partnership with telecommunications company One NZ.
Four phone models from Samsung and OPPO are eligible for the service so far. Texts will typically take around three minutes to be received, but could take 10 minutes or longer in the program’s early stages, One NZ said.
“We've worked with Starlink to provide coverage across Aotearoa, including to the around 40% of NZ’s landmass that is not covered by traditional mobile networks – plus approximately 20 kilometres out to sea,” said One NZ Experience and Commercial Director Joe Goddard.
“Not only will you be able to message family and friends from parts of our beautiful country that you never thought possible, but soon this will open up new opportunities in IoT (Internet of Things) for sectors like agriculture, tourism, logistics and many more that power our economy here in NZ,” Goddard said.
While the service currently only supports text messages, One NZ expects voice calling and data will be available nationwide through Starlink in the future.
Eligible New Zealanders with a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, or OPPO Find X8 Pro will be contacted this week to begin using Starlink’s nationwide text messaging.
One NZ’s monthly plans will include the service for no extra charge.
Starlink will partner with T-Mobile to launch nationwide text messaging in the United States, following a pilot program in areas affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene in October. Beta testing will begin in early 2025.
Optus will also team with Starlink for a similar service in Australia, although nationwide texting has been delayed from its projected start date in 2024. Starlink satellites significantly outperform NBN Sky Muster in data transmission speeds, an ACCC report this month found.
One NZ’s parent company Infratil’s (NZX: IFT) share price stood at NZ$12.16 as of the time of writing, up from yesterday’s close at $12.12. Its market capitalisation is NZ$11.8 billion.