SpaceX can now operate throughout New Zealand, . The New Zealand provider says this is the first time a nationwide satellite text messaging service has been powered by Starlink. T-Mobile on how to make it happen, but it looks like One NZ has exceeded expectations.
What is the benefit here for New Zealanders? It is a country with many rural areas resulting in weak or no signals. This should create a level playing field for people who don't live near big cities.
Now for the caveats, and there are a few important ones. Starlink text messages are incredibly slow compared to traditional methods. One New Zealand says most messages should be sent and received within three minutes during the initial deployment, but admits this period could extend to “10 minutes or longer.” It is for this reason that the company continues to encourage people to carry a personal beacon with them when traveling to remote areas.
The service also which includes the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OPPO Find X8 Pro. This list of eligible devices is expected to expand next year. The company also intends to expand the service over time to include voice calls and data.
The satellite service is free for existing One NZ customers with paid monthly plans, but we don't know the pricing scheme for new customers or those signed up to other types of contracts. Starlink has partnered with other telecommunications companies to provide comprehensive coverage to Japan, Peru, Switzerland and Chile. As mentioned earlier, this is also do something similar in the US.