Onenz D2C phones in testing phase

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Dreamerz

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#320082 4-Jul-2025 09:59

I am looking to do the Te Araroa Trail for communications I am interested in using onenz direct to cell for communications while I am out of cell tower range.

I have to get a new phone as my pixel 6a is not compatible, I was looking at the A26 5g as its got an SD card slot so I can load up on audio books.

I note that its under testing for onenz d2c

My question is what is the time line for this to be ready to use with direct to cell as my hike will start in October?

I did contact support they asked me to contact Samsung and Samsung told me to contact one nz

PS I will have a PLB as well.

Linux

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#3389588 4-Jul-2025 10:55

@Dreamerz You are asking a question that can't be answered by OneNZ or Samsung as it is not public information till testing is completed and handset approved

OneNZ are the ones that do the testing D2C and approve the handset TAC code - No one on Geekone could answer this question. Testing could take weeks to months you will just need to wait for the handset testng to be completed

You do not need a phone with an SD slot to load audio books onto it - The handset alone will have loads of memory spare to load them onto

Dreamerz

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#3389671 4-Jul-2025 14:55

Linux:

@Dreamerz You are asking a question that can't be answered by OneNZ or Samsung as it is not public information till testing is completed and handset approved

OneNZ are the ones that do the testing D2C and approve the handset TAC code - No one on Geekone could answer this question. Testing could take weeks to months you will just need to wait for the handset testng to be completed

You do not need a phone with an SD slot to load audio books onto it - The handset alone will have loads of memory spare to load them onto

Thanks for the reply. On the storage point: yes, obviously you can load audiobooks onto internal memory. My requirement for an SD card is based on volume. For a 3000km, ~5-month thru-hike, a 128GB device is an unacceptable constraint once you account for a large high-bitrate audio library, a full suite of offline topographic maps, and space for photos/video. An SD card is a considered requirement for capacity and data management on a long expedition, not an oversight.

As for the D2C timeline, I understand that a final certification date is not public. However, I wasn't asking for a contractual guarantee, but for a target window. Hardware certification isn't a black box; there are project stages and target completion dates. My hope was that an insider here could provide some general guidance—e.g., "testing is in the final phase" or "it's targeting a Q4 rollout"—which is crucial information when you need to purchase hardware for a fixed departure date. Simply saying "wait and see" isn't a practical answer.

Asteros

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#3389672 4-Jul-2025 15:09

Samsung phones go on sale all the time, including the latest S25 range for ridiculously cheap prices. I would wait and you can probably buy a higher specified and currently One NZ satellite approved phone closer to your departure. You would also be able to get a much higher capacity onboard storage model which would negate the need for SD card storage for a very cheap price during these sales. It would have a better camera system, better performance and have a longer software update window.

Linux

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#3389678 4-Jul-2025 16:10

Dreamerz:

Linux:

@Dreamerz You are asking a question that can't be answered by OneNZ or Samsung as it is not public information till testing is completed and handset approved

OneNZ are the ones that do the testing D2C and approve the handset TAC code - No one on Geekone could answer this question. Testing could take weeks to months you will just need to wait for the handset testng to be completed

You do not need a phone with an SD slot to load audio books onto it - The handset alone will have loads of memory spare to load them onto

Thanks for the reply. On the storage point: yes, obviously you can load audiobooks onto internal memory. My requirement for an SD card is based on volume. For a 3000km, ~5-month thru-hike, a 128GB device is an unacceptable constraint once you account for a large high-bitrate audio library, a full suite of offline topographic maps, and space for photos/video. An SD card is a considered requirement for capacity and data management on a long expedition, not an oversight.

As for the D2C timeline, I understand that a final certification date is not public. However, I wasn't asking for a contractual guarantee, but for a target window. Hardware certification isn't a black box; there are project stages and target completion dates. My hope was that an insider here could provide some general guidance—e.g., "testing is in the final phase" or "it's targeting a Q4 rollout"—which is crucial information when you need to purchase hardware for a fixed departure date. Simply saying "wait and see" isn't a practical answer.

@Dreamerz Mobile carriers don't care about your departure date! They are not working to your timeline

If it is that important to you then buy a handset that is already on the approved list...Sorry I know this repsonse sounds short and rude but it is honest and direct to the point

I worked for a NZ mobile carrier 17+ years and know very well how they work on the inside

Dreamerz

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#3389679 4-Jul-2025 16:17

@Linux

You're right, a carrier doesn't work to my timeline. They do, however, work to a product roadmap and a commercial launch schedule. My query was an attempt to gain insight into that roadmap for planning purposes.
Your advice to "buy a handset that is already on the approved list" would be practical if the list contained suitable hardware. The current D2C-approved list is sparse on mid-range devices that feature expandable storage—a non-starter for managing the multi-hundred-gigabyte library of offline media and cartographic data required for a 5-month expedition.
My question was never about asking a corporation to care. It was a risk assessment. Your directness, while appreciated, simply confirms that relying on the A26's certification is too high a risk.

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#3389680 4-Jul-2025 16:21

@Dreamerz Check out the 2degrees satellite service they are launching similar service 2026 but as long as your handset supports 4G / 5G it just works no TAC white list

Voice / SMS / Data

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shk292

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#3389696 4-Jul-2025 19:47

If I was buying for that purpose I’d want a waterproof/resistant phone. A Samsung S series would be my pick, 512gb for the media etc.

Dreamerz

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#3389963 5-Jul-2025 10:41

shk292:

If I was buying for that purpose I’d want a waterproof/resistant phone. A Samsung S series would be my pick, 512gb for the media etc.

The A26 has ip67 rating as well as Gorilla Glass Victus+ the increases in the budget would be atleast 3x to go for an S series its not worth it.

Dreamerz

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#3389965 5-Jul-2025 10:42

Linux:

@Dreamerz Check out the 2degrees satellite service they are launching similar service 2026 but as long as your handset supports 4G / 5G it just works no TAC white list

Voice / SMS / Data

I start October 2025 hence my questions about the A26.