Latest news with #Seneviratne
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."
Time Business News
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Trouble in Aussie Telco World: Vodafone and Telstra Clash Over Coverage Claims
After a fiery accusation from Vodafone last week alleging Telstra has been misleading Australians about the true size of its mobile network, Telstra has responded—firmly standing its ground. Vodafone claimed that Telstra's long-standing assertion that its mobile network covers 99.7% of the Australian population and three million square kilometres was misleading. Their main gripe? That these figures relied on the use of external antennas, something most everyday users don't typically use. According to Vodafone, without the antennas, Telstra's actual usable coverage footprint is significantly smaller. Telstra, in response, took what it's calling a 'deep review' of its mobile coverage data. And after taking that internal microscope to its numbers, it's not backing down. Telstra Executive for Technology Engagement Advancement Channa Seneviratne said,' While Telstra initially updated its website to clarify the 99.7% figure factored in the use of external antennas. 'When Vodafone raised concerns about our coverage claims, we took the time to complete a deep assessment of our coverage measurement data,' said Seneviratne 'We thought it was best in the meantime to take a conservative approach and refer to an external antenna recommendation in our coverage claims.' 'We remain confident that our three million square kilometres of coverage to 99.7% of the Australian population coverage claims are correct, and does not rely on external antenna use.' he said. In a blog post, Seneviratne detailed how Telstra tests mobile coverage, which includes a combination of drive testing and desktop modelling. 'To work out our overall coverage footprint, we set a minimum dBm level that's needed to maintain a good quality voice call. If the predicted signal strength is below this level, we exclude this area from our coverage footprint,' said Seneviratne. Seneviratne said that there is no industry standard for the way coverage is measured today but says Telstra will advocate for a consistent approach. Vodafone has called on the ACCC to investigate Telstra's coverage claims, and consumer advocacy group ACCAN said it was deeply concerned by the allegations. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
