Telstra sends out 500 SMS by means of Starlink in real-time messaging test

Telstra has actually begun a real-time test of satellite-to-mobile messaging in local Australia, in advance of an industrial launch of the solution “in the coming months”.

Technology growth and advancement exec Channa Seneviratne said in a blog post that “500-plus” messages had actually been sent out up until now in the real-time test, which is running “in areas outside of Telstra’s mobile network coverage in NT, WA, Qld and NSW”.

The test is additionally examining the capability of the solution to send out “GPS coordinates and emojis via text message.”

Testers are utilizing Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra mobile phone.

Seneviratne stated 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 these problems were not right away readily available.

Telstra is utilizing Starlink solutions to supply the brand-new capacity, under an offer struck at the beginning of this year.

Outside of the real-time test, Seneviratne stated that up until now “more than 55,000 text messages” have actually been sent out utilizing the solution because the beginning of April.

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

Satellite- to-mobile is additionally called straight to mobile phone (DTH) or straight to cell (DTC) innovation.

When it releases readily, the solution will certainly sustain just text, not web messaging applications, Seneviratne kept in mind.

Services would certainly be readily 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 stated.

Users will certainly require to hold their phone to the skies for possibly a couple of mins, as the solution is “intermittent”.

Seneviratne included that the solution is not meant to be utilized in an emergency situation.

“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 stated.

“It is, nonetheless, not created to be an emergency situation solution as you can not message Australian emergency situation -responders straight and calls are not yet readily available utilizing our satellite to mobile messaging solution.

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