Spark satellite coming soon. Question is: when?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark satellite coming soon. Question is: when?

1 | 2 | 3

2167 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1347

#3469442 12-Mar-2026 12:33

I mean, Apple uses a satellite service that isn't Starlink so there must be other options...although I think Starlink is moving the quickest in making more services available via it

Looking to buy a Tesla? Use my referral link and we both get credits

boosacnoodle

1269 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 855

#3469456 12-Mar-2026 13:21

Spark can't use Apple's network as it's restricted to only iDevices.

gzt

18674 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#3469462 12-Mar-2026 13:33

Lynk Global was mentioned in previous articles as the service provider for Spark.

https://lynk.world/

and Two Degrees coincidentally

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3566

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3469468 12-Mar-2026 13:40

Potentially it could be Starlink, as the exclusive time period will come to an end I think sometime this year. Maybe Amazon Leo, but word on that is realistcally end of this year or halfway through next year.

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

Obraik

2167 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1347

#3469503 12-Mar-2026 16:03

boosacnoodle:

Spark can't use Apple's network as it's restricted to only iDevices.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to imply that Spark was...rather giving an example to the previous reply (which I should have quoted) who thought Starlink was the only one providing satellite services to phones

Looking to buy a Tesla? Use my referral link and we both get credits

boosacnoodle

1269 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 855

#3469506 12-Mar-2026 16:15

I would be highly doubtful that it's actually Lynk given how long Starlink took to move from simply SMS through to data, whereas Spark is promising data right off the bat.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

Yetti92

70 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 22

#3469605 13-Mar-2026 08:37

There was a rumour (I think in the Herald) that Starlink's exclusive deal with OneNZ was only for a set period, after which Starlink could be adopted by other carriers. Maybe that's why Spark are being vague as they are waiting for the OneNZ exclusive deal to lapse before announcing. I can't think of any other Satellite network that would have data for those specific apps available from launch at this time other than Starlink.

hamish225

1430 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 215

ID Verified

#3470458 15-Mar-2026 14:24

Yetti92:

There was a rumour (I think in the Herald) that Starlink's exclusive deal with OneNZ was only for a set period, after which Starlink could be adopted by other carriers. Maybe that's why Spark are being vague as they are waiting for the OneNZ exclusive deal to lapse before announcing. I can't think of any other Satellite network that would have data for those specific apps available from launch at this time other than Starlink.

regarding the apps available, from wha I can see it’s just a flag the developer of the app can set to say it’s been optimised for satellite data networks. This was a link to the Apple documentation from the OneNZ website so I assume this is just a common flag any network can make use of

*Insert big spe*dtest result here*

gzt

18674 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#3470459 15-Mar-2026 14:33

Presumably the network can apply restriction based on absence of that flag to stop their satellite network costs blowing out.

iambobthefish

28 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#3470680 15-Mar-2026 20:32

Any thoughts on whether Skinny is likely to also offer satellite plans, or would satellite be considered one of these 'fat' premium services?

boosacnoodle

1269 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 855

#3470713 16-Mar-2026 08:32

One only recently rolled out to their prepaid service. As far as I’m aware, no MVNO offers it. So I’d say no. The only thing potentially weighting in their favour is that Skinny is actually owned & operated by Spark, whereas no One MVNOs are.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

quickymart

14940 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13953

ID Verified

#3470980 16-Mar-2026 18:31

Aucklandjafa:

Just got an email stating Spark’s satellite service is arriving. Mentioned everything other than a launch date. Anyone have any ideas when?

I just got this too, on my Spark Prepaid. No mention of a date though - and I'm not sure if my handset is even compatible.