SpaceX launches the first Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability. Photo: SpaceX

Telstra, Australia’s biggest telco, has announced a new collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink that will see it bring satellite-to-mobile text messaging to its customers in Australia. Telstra’s goal for the service is to provide better coverage from coast to coast, especially for those in regional and remote areas. Telstra announced the collaboration, Jan. 9.

The collaboration will initially focus on testing and refining a satellite-to-mobile text messaging capability for Australian conditions, ahead of a commercial launch. Telstra said its mobile network in Australia covers 99.7% of the Australian population over an area of 3 million square kilometers. But with Australia having a large landmass, there are large areas where mobile and fixed networks do not reach, and this is where Telstra believes satellite technology will play a complementary role to its existing networks.

“We will continue this investment to improve our terrestrial mobile network, while exploring how satellite technology can play a role in remote areas of the country not covered by land-based coverage,” Telstra said in a statement.

This is not the first time Telstra has worked with Starlink. This partnership is in addition to its current work with Starlink around LEO satellite home and small business fixed internet products announced last year.

Starlink has been expanding its partnerships with mobile network operators around the world, announcing a new deal earlier this year with Kyivstar in Ukraine.