Telstra launches satellite messaging service

Telstra has commercially launched Starlink-backed satellite-to-mobile messaging just weeks after live trials, albeit initially only for Samsung Galaxy S25 series devices “updated with the latest software”.

The service, which allows the transmission of text messages when outside the telco’s mobile network coverage area, is “available for consumer and small business customers on Telstra month-to-month mobile plans”, consumer executive Tom Beach said.

Telstra said that eligible customers would have ‘satellite messaging’ added to their core plan inclusions.

This “should be completed over the coming weeks,” Beach said. 

The intent is to make the service accessible on more handsets, but no timeline was provided.

Beach said Telstra will “continue to test and refine the service so we can continue to offer the best product we can for customers.”