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The agreement will, uniquely, not require customers to obtain any specific hardware and will instead work on all compatible handsets.
TPG told The Australian the service would eventually provide “near-100 per cent mobile coverage” across the country, eliminating “dead zones” in remote areas.
However, unlike its larger telco rival, TPG has agreed to work with Starlink-rival Lynk Global, which uses a smaller number of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites than its SpaceX-owned opposition.
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TPG chief technology officer Giovanni Chiarelli said Australia’s vast geography and sparse population pose unique challenges for deploying commercially viable mobile networks in remote communities.
“Combining innovative technologies like sat2phone with our mobile network would bring much-needed connectivity to those living and working in remote and rural locations and could play a critical role in delivering lifesaving services,” he said.
Lynx’s service provides emergency alerts and texts worldwide, but it’s currently testing SMS in Australia with a view to eventually introducing voice and data services. The telco, Australia’s third largest, hopes to start a text message trial in 2025.
Lynk last launched two satellites, which it dubs cell towers in space, on SpaceX’s Transporter–10 rideshare mission in March. It’s now working with “40-plus mobile network operator partners” globally.
The “straight-to-mobile” plans are one of several innovative new services that have launched or are soon to begin in Australia.
Last month, for example, Starlink launched a portable satellite dish that allows users to access reliable internet on the go.
The device, which resembles a large laptop, works like a traditional dongle but allows users to go online without needing to be within the range of a phone mast.
The new mini dish costs $799 and can be paired with two plans: “Mobile Regional”, which costs $174 per month and offers unlimited mobile data, or “Mini Roam”, which costs $80 per month for 50GB of data.
Crucially, the plan can be paused or unpaused anytime, opening it up to hikers and travellers who only want to use it for limited periods of the year.
Starlink only launched in Australia in 2021 but was previously only available via a permanent, fixed connection.
There are currently thought to be more than 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, though the company eventually hopes it can support more than 40,000.
Finally, Telstra became the first of the big two telcos this year to make Starlink available to residential homes in remote areas.
Previously, access to the SpaceX-backed internet service was only available through Starlink directly or via smaller third-party providers such as Sky Mesh, Activ8me, or Ipstar.
However, the firm has now opened the service up to home users after “months of comprehensive testing”, with typical peak speeds of 50Mbps download and 10Mbps upload. It follows the telco releasing it to business customers late last year.
