One NZ has launched its Satellite TXT service, allowing customers to send and receive text messages via satellite in remote parts of New Zealand. Developed in partnership with Starlink Direct to Mobile, this service is available to eligible customers with specific One NZ plans and phones. It aims to provide connectivity in areas beyond traditional cellular coverage, such as rural farms, mountains, and open waters, by relying on a clear line of sight to the sky.
The service currently supports a limited range of eligible phones, with more models to be added after testing. Customers will receive notification via text when their devices are activated for the service. The performance of the service will vary depending on the phone model, location, and satellite availability overhead.
• Launch Partner: Starlink Direct to Mobile (SpaceX technology).
• Coverage: Remote areas in New Zealand with a clear line of sight to the sky.
• Message Delays: Texts may take 3-10+ minutes to send/receive during initial rollout.
• Device Support: Limited eligible phones, expanding as testing progresses.
• Emergency Use: Complements personal locator beacons, not a replacement.
One NZ CEO stated, “Our Satellite TXT service represents an important step forward in connecting Kiwis living and working in remote locations, offering new safety and communication options for those outside cell tower coverage.”