Latest news with #RegionalTelecommunicationsReview
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Outback game-changer: Telstra and SpaceX launch satellite texting service
A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji 🤠 via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. 'I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there,' Seneviratne told AAP. 'He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. 'It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home.' Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS co-ordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Seneviratne said. 'Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more,' he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. 'It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage.'
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage." A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage." A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage." A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage."
West Australian
3 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage."
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Mobile coverage is an election issue in regional areas. What's been promised?
Eleven Mile Beach is as dangerous as it is spectacular. A short drive from Esperance on Western Australia's remote and rugged south coast, the sand dunes are popular among weekend adventurers. But veteran paramedic Paul Gaughan has seen things go pear-shaped here far too often. Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on "The beach itself is quite soft," the Esperance station manager for St John WA said. "It's quite a mission to retrieve people here." In his line of work, a phone signal can be the difference between life and death. Paramedics like Paul Gaughan remain frustrated by a lack of phone reception in regional and remote areas. ( ABC Esperance: Emily Smith ) But at Eleven Mile, and numerous other local beaches, the lack of reliable connection remains a major frustration. "Often there's a delay in people being able to communicate where they are," he said. "Sometimes they have to try and run to the top of a hill somewhere. "Often we have to call for backup, and that can be a difficulty for us as well." Reforms promised If re-elected, the Albanese government has pledged to legislate universal mobile coverage across Australia. The move would require telcos to guarantee basic voice and SMS coverage nationwide. It is made possible largely by the advent of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, such as Starlink, and would be implemented by 2027. The announcement has been well received by regional stakeholders, including the National Farmers' Federation (NFF). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to legislate universal SMS and voice coverage if re-elected. ( Twitter: Anthony Albanese ) However, NFF president David Jochinke said investment in the terrestrial network needed to continue. Photo shows man with tower in bakground Low-orbit satellites would provide mobile voice and SMS services to vast areas of the country under a pre-election pledge from Labor. "Satellite-based connectivity is just one piece of the puzzle, and the need for continued co-investment in mobile towers by telco providers and government isn't going away," he said. " Land-based coverage from mobile towers will still be the gold standard for years to come. " The Coalition has said a Dutton government would "improve access to telecommunications and high-speed internet" for regional Australians, though further details have not been provided. "Regional communities deserve the same quality of services as those in the city," Shadow Communications Minister Melissa McIntosh said. She said the "bungled" handling of the 3G network closure had set regional communities back. The Albanese government said further reforms would be announced as it "considered recommendations" from the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review. When it comes to telecommunications reforms, those living in some of the most remote corners of the country want to ensure their voices are heard. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? 'Better off 10 years ago' Kirk Whiting runs a broadacre cropping operation about 100 kilometres west of Esperance. "We've got nine staff on this farm and trying to coordinate is a massive, massive job," he said. He said the farm's mobile coverage was patchy at best. "Along the highway it's quite good," he said. "But as soon as you leave the highway, it's near-on non-existent." Kirk Whiting says mobile coverage on his farm has become worse over the years. ( ABC Esperance: Emily Smith ) Mr Whiting said black spots created challenges for marketing grain and keeping track of staff. Photo shows A graphic showing a range of reader comments about potential issues in Australia's 2025 federal election. What do you need to know before you vote in the upcoming federal election? What would you ask the candidates? Have Your Say. "If we miss prices, that can be tens of thousands of dollars … real-time connectivity is very important in this day and age," he said. "And you've just got to be careful with staff. If you don't hear from someone for a while, you've got to check on them." Despite the advancements in technology, he said the mobile coverage on his farm had regressed over the past decade. He said the problem had been compounded by the "With the data loads that the towers are taking now, we were definitely better off 10 years ago," he said. Mr Whiting says black spots in mobile signal can affect workers' safety. ( ABC Esperance: Emily Smith ) The 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review recommended the government "prioritise funding to improve existing terrestrial mobile network capacity, service quality, and resilience". Mr Whiting implored all sides of politics to listen to farmers. "Mining booms come and go," he said. " Farming is here for as long as humans need to eat … governments need to back us and give us the infrastructure we need. " Lives on the line A few months ago, a local farmer was holidaying at a remote beach east of Esperance when he suffered a cardiac arrest. There was no mobile reception. St John WA paramedics hope to see an improvement in mobile phone coverage throughout regional and remote parts of the state. ( ABC Esperance: Emily Smith ) Thankfully, another camper had access to a private satellite system. "They were able to call [emergency services] from there," Mr Gaughan said. By using a St John WA defibrillator, which was fortuitously located at the beach, family members kept the man alive until an ambulance arrived. "That patient survived," Mr Gaughan said. "I'd hate to think, if they couldn't get through to an ambulance, what the result would have been." Loading Having trouble seeing this form? Try
