The first country to gain support for Starlink’s new satellite-based messaging services has come online with New Zealand set to be the first of many.
The satellite-to-cell system uses SpaceX satellites and offers nationwide coverage via One NZ. The Verge reports that the company claims to be the first to power nationwide satellite text messaging using Starlink hardware. Other countries that have already signed on include Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, and Peru.
However, there are caveats to consider. They start with the fact that you have to have one of four phone models in order to use this new service and three of them are Samsung offerings – none are iPhones. Right now only the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pro work with the One NZ service, but it’s thought that more devices will be supported in the future.
Another worry is the amount of time required for one of the messages to be sent. While some will be sent within three minutes, One NZ has warned that some may take longer than 10 minutes during the service’s first few months.
“We continue to test the capabilities of One NZ Satellite TXT, and this is an initial service that will get better. For example, text messages will take longer to send but will get quicker over time,” One NZ’s Experience and Commercial Director Joe Goddard said. “We’re beginning with a small number of phones as part of the staggered rollout of the technology. And critically, from today customers can send and receive text messages only, but in the future, we expect voice calling and data to also be available.”
Existing pay-monthly customers will be able to send satellite-based messages for free while new customers or those who are on different contracts will need to pay additional fees.
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