Overview

• One NZ, in partnership with SpaceX's Starlink, has introduced a nationwide satellite text messaging service, marking a global first for this technology.
• The service aims to provide connectivity to rural and remote areas, covering 40% of New Zealand's landmass previously without mobile coverage and extending 20 kilometers offshore.
• Currently, only four smartphone models are supported, with broader compatibility expected by the end of 2025 as the service develops.
• Text messages are initially expected to take 3–10 minutes to send or receive, with improvements anticipated as more satellites are deployed and the technology matures.
• The service is free for existing One NZ customers on monthly plans, though pricing for new customers or other plans has not yet been announced.