One NZ launches with SpaceX collaboration announcement

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#3280527 9-Sep-2024 18:12

TV campaign has also changed. Just saw the new one and read a bunch of the stuff at the bottom.

Sure enough what is planned, and for later down the track etc. breif limitations so they don't get hauled over the coals again. TXT 'launching soon' to select devices on eligible plans. But all solid dates missing.

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#3295867 11-Oct-2024 09:53

Press release:

In another step closer to blasting off with coverage like never before, SpaceX has received the necessary legislative permissions to allow One New Zealand to begin field testing its revolutionary Satellite to Mobile service and this will begin very shortly.

One New Zealand CEO Jason Paris is excited for One NZ’s network engineers to get started across the country. “We want New Zealanders to be safer with us, and we’re now getting down to local testing of the Starlink direct-to-cell satellite network and its capabilities.

“When we announced our collaboration with SpaceX, we were dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, a stark reminder of the necessity of a resilient back up to our mobile network, which can be disrupted by climate-related, fibre and power outages.

“We’re unfortunately seeing this play out with Hurricane Milton in Florida right now, where Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability are playing a vital role keeping people connected as the extreme weather has disrupted their ground based mobile networks. That’s why starting testing here is a giant step forward on our mission to bring coverage like never before to New Zealand.

“New Zealand’s unique geography also means 40% of our landmass currently has no mobile coverage. By partnering with SpaceX, we’ll be one of the very first countries in the world to benefit from Satellite to Mobile technology which uses incredible innovation to overcome those geographic constraints to provide a second line of defence which will keep Kiwis safer and better connected.

One NZ engineers will soon be testing the new service on a variety of mobile phones in different locations in Aotearoa to determine the user experience so that launch plans can be finalised.

“These satellites are around 360 km in the sky, travelling at 27000 km per hour, connecting to One New Zealand handsets on the ground. The engineering is incredibly complex, but the customer experience needs to be simple.

“We’re planning to launch the service when our customers can send and receive an SMS by satellite to mobile in a matter of minutes. With rocket launches on a nearly weekly basis putting new Starlink satellites in the sky, we are confident that won’t take long.”

“Like all new technologies we have introduced, there will be a phased rollout plan, and we are working with phone manufacturers to bring the service to as many customers as possible.

“New Zealand is a country of farmers, explorers, trampers and boaties, which is why we think the service will make such a difference for New Zealanders. We’re really excited to get it into customers hands as soon as we can after testing.

“While safety is our first priority, we also believe the additional coverage the service will provide will be a boon for NZ productivity, with companies across the country using it to stay in touch with their teams, whether they manage a fleet, or are simply a small business that travels, the added assurance this satellite network will bring is invaluable.”

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ALTRON

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#3296106 11-Oct-2024 14:43

RCS messaging?

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#3297916 15-Oct-2024 21:43

any Vodafone crew here?

missus helping out in a school camp in a remote area next week with zero mobile coverage

was wondering if One NZ is running any starlink trials, as she would be very keen on participating in any such trial!

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#3297917 15-Oct-2024 21:56

This probably is not happening until earlier next year.

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freitasm

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#3299321 21-Oct-2024 10:19

Press release:

Field testing for One New Zealand’s revolutionary new Satellite to Mobile service is going well in Christchurch, with network engineers successfully sending and receiving SMS messages through the Starlink Direct to Cell constellation.

“It’s a historic moment,” says One NZ’s GM Network Services, Sharina Nisha. “Successfully sending messages from the ground here on an unmodified phone is real-world validation of years of planning and preparation by the One NZ and SpaceX teams.

“Satellite messaging will give us a resilient back-up for our ground-based mobile network. This will make it safer to explore our country and help businesses across New Zealand be more productive.”

A robust testing plan is in now in place in the lead up to Christmas.

“We’re sending engineers up and down the country, putting the Starlink Direct to Cell service through its paces, so we can be confident it works under all kinds of real-world conditions before we get this new tech into the hands of our customers. There are already over two hundred Starlink direct to cell satellites in orbit, and with launches on a near weekly basis, the number will continue to grow before commercial launch.”

And the first text message?

“There’s only one thing it could be,” says Nisha. “Up the Wahs!”.

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#3299335 21-Oct-2024 11:06

freitasm:

Press release:

There are already over two hundred Starlink direct to cell satellites in orbit, and with launches on a near weekly basis, the number will continue to grow before commercial launch.”

200 Satellites is a looong way from a functioning shell, ....

V2 is 110 sats per plane with 48 planes, (5200 sats),

https://everydayastronaut.com/starlink-group-6-59-falcon-9-block-5/

Even at hundreds of sats per month its gonna be well into 2025 or 2026 for there to be enough completed planes to get commercial coverage...

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#3308847 14-Nov-2024 09:09

I've created a new thread for the legal action ComCom is taking against One NZ. Please leave this one for the service itself.

ComCom takes legal action over One NZ "100%" coverage claims for SpaceX service

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#3309053 14-Nov-2024 17:53

Batman:
any Vodafone crew here?

missus helping out in a school camp in a remote area next week with zero mobile coverage

was wondering if One NZ is running any starlink trials, as she would be very keen on participating in any such trial!

Too late now but another option would be renting a starlink mini and using skype

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#3319902 13-Dec-2024 12:56

Starlink Coverage going live next week by the looks

https://au.pcmag.com/networking/108858/spacex-gears-up-for-cellular-starlink-launch-in-new-zealand-next-week

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#3320237 13-Dec-2024 17:39

From the FCC submission (PDF):

“In collaboration with SpaceX, One NZ will soon be launching direct to cell services to end users in New Zealand. Our current plan is for services to be offered in the week commencing December 16, 2024.

They will use the 1780 - 1785 MHz and 1875 - 1880 MHz frequency bands within New Zealand:

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#3320302 13-Dec-2024 23:10

So it will be available before the end of the year, even if only barely.

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#3322110 18-Dec-2024 21:44

It looks like the service is live now.

https://one.nz/why-choose-us/spacex/

Not available on an iPhone….

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#3322111 18-Dec-2024 21:48

Doesn't look like it will work on my phone (or plan). Ah well.

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#3322147 19-Dec-2024 07:58

nicks:
It looks like the service is live now.

https://one.nz/why-choose-us/spacex/

Not available on an iPhone….

The FAQ has a question about why iPhone isn’t listed as supported then doesn’t elaborate. I’d imagine iMessage is the killer here because the iPhone isn’t going to try extensively to use iMessage yet data will not be available. Probably need a carrier update from Apple to support that; however, it presents an interesting attack vector - using your Police stingray impersonate a Starlink Direct to Cell then intercept iMessages in plain text (SMS).

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