3 Apr 2023

Two Kiwi telcos sign up for satellite service

From Nine To Noon, 11:32 am on 3 April 2023
The Starlink 3 train rides across the early morning sky, accompanied by a handful of other satellites.

Photo: Unsplash / Forest Katsch

Two of the country's big telecommunications companies have signed deals with satellite providers to improve mobile coverage. One New Zealand, previously known as Vodafone, has signed a deal with US firm SpaceX, meaning its mobile network will work with the company's Starlink satellites from late next year. It says it means 100 percent mobile coverage across the country, eliminating any blackspots, although it will initially only apply to text. Meanwhile, 2degrees has announced a trial with the satellite provider Lynk, allowing its customers to connect from remote areas. One New Zealand CEO Jason Parris joins Kathryn.