Telstra has officially launched Telstra Satellite Messaging (TSM), a new service that allows customers to send and receive text messages directly via Starlink satellites in areas without mobile coverage, making it the first provider in Australia to launch the service.
Powered by SpaceX’s Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology, the service enables supported smartphones to connect directly to low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, functioning like a “cell tower in space.” This means customers in regional and remote areas — including the outback and coastal zones that currently lack any form of terrestrial coverage — can stay connected via SMS with nothing more than a standard device.
A Game-Changer for Rural and Remote Australia
At launch, the service is available exclusively to Telstra customers on eligible mobile plans using Samsung Galaxy S25 series devices, with plans to expand support to more phones, including future Apple models. Users must be outdoors with a clear view of the sky for the satellite connection to work, as the technology relies on line-of-sight access to passing satellites.
Australia is a vast country, and the service has been tested across remote areas in Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. In total, over 55,000 messages have been sent during trials, confirming support for basic features like GPS coordinates and emojis.
How It Works
Only around 2,000 of Starlink’s 6,300+ satellites currently support the Direct to Cell feature, meaning message delivery times may vary depending on satellite positioning. Messages may be delivered instantly or could take several minutes in areas with limited satellite coverage. Despite the delay, the service is a lifeline in regions that previously had no mobile signal at all.
Once the service is activated, compatible devices automatically switch to the Starlink satellite network when Telstra’s terrestrial network is unavailable.
Limitations and What’s Next
For now, TSM supports text messaging only — no voice calls or internet data — and cannot be used to contact emergency services directly. However, Telstra says future updates will bring voice call support, likely by 2027.
Telstra’s move follows similar launches from international providers like One NZ and U.S.-based carriers. Despite signing a deal with Rogers in Canada in early 2023, there has been no sign of an impending launch of the service in Canada.
