Under a new partnership with SpaceX, Telstra has rolled out the world’s first direct-to-satellite text messaging service. This partnership has the potential to redefine the future of telecommunications in Australia. This innovative new service incorporates low Earth orbit satellites (LEOsats) in constellation with direct-to-device (D2D) technology. It brings the very best of satellite technology, delivering crucial text messages directly to personal cell phones, reaching everyone, including those unreachable by today’s land-based 4G and 5G networks.
The joint gov–artistic effort wants to increase public exchange for Australians dwellers in an far-flung tundra. These areas were already considered mobile network deserts. Telstra takes advantage of satellite technology to help ensure all residents, regardless of location, can be connected. Today, anyone, anywhere can communicate regularly and instantly at the click of a button. Communications analyst Graham Lynch called it a huge win for rural Australians. He explained that it has “huge implications” for those who reside in remote areas.
A First for Australia
Australia is poised to guide the rest of the world by rolling out this cutting-edge technology across the country. By taking this bold step, the country is creating history. Testing comparable services in the United States have shown mixed results at best. With Telstra’s partnership with SpaceX comes an opportunity to meet these challenges head-on. Lynch’s point was that reliability has not improved in other places like the U.S. and New Zealand where there have been full-scale national experiments with privatization.
“They’re not at the level where they can provide guarantees, which is what makes what Australia is planning to do so novel,” – Graham Lynch
The effectiveness of the service will vary based on satellite positioning, as well as signal strength and availability. Users will encounter lag times when the satellite is not directly overhead. Channa Seneviratne is the head of engineering advocacy at Telstra. He pointed out just how important it is to have a clear line of sight to the sky when using their service.
“If the satellite is not quite overhead, it could take a few minutes,” – Channa Seneviratne
Early Days for Satellite Messaging
As of now, the messaging technology is only supported on a limited number of new mobile devices. Thousands of rural Australians are already experiencing the benefits of using LEO satellites for web browsing, email, voice calling, and SMS functionality. With the recent debut of direct messaging, we’ve witnessed a major leap forward. Lynch noted that this technology is in a very formative stage, and that positive improvements are still being made.
“That doesn’t mean it’s not getting better, but it’s a technology in a formative stage and that was months ago. We’ve come a long way since then,” – Graham Lynch
As the technology matures, Seneviratne expects future improvements to expand compatibility, such as support for Apple devices. The constant, rapid-fire movement of LEO satellites further complicates the service delivery picture.
“The LEOsats are spinning very fast around a planet that is itself spinning very fast, so there’s a lot of calibration involved in the physics,” – Graham Lynch
Implications for Safety and Connectivity
This public messaging service provides us with more than just convenience. Most importantly, it goes some way in addressing key safety issues for Australians residing in remote communities. Warren Pearce, a representative from the resources sector, stressed the importance of reliable communication systems for individuals traveling in isolated locations. He pointed out that tens of thousands travel into back country areas every day.
“There are people out and about in their thousands and if something happens to their vehicle it is potentially catastrophic,” – Warren Pearce
Pearce said he was excited by the possibilities of this technology to deliver critical communications services to remote communities in Australia. He stated, “If we can get to a point where we can make contact and have a conversation in every part of Australia, I think that would be a major breakthrough.”
