Many parts of the country still lack mobile coverage, but that’s about to change thanks to One NZ and Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellite technology. For those who need to stay connected in remote areas, the project could be transformational, reports Jihee Junn.
Despite being one of the most developed countries in the world, approximately 40% of New Zealand’s geography remains untouched by traditional mobile coverage. And while that might seem like a surprising statistic at first glance, it’s a similar situation elsewhere: in the US, well over half a million square miles are reported as coverage dead zones, while 60% of Australia and over 70% of Canada remain off the grid.
For the most part, the reasons for such vast swathes of blackspots are twofold: geography and population density. In New Zealand, our rugged and mountainous terrain has played a significant role in hindering further cell coverage, and with mobile coverage already reaching over 99% of the population, it’s physically prohibitive – and perhaps more importantly, incredibly expensive – for networks to expand across our more sparsely populated land.
That is, until now.
While traditional mobile coverage relies on cell towers on the ground that can be difficult to maintain, limited in scope, and technically impossible to build in certain landscapes, US-based company SpaceX is set to take these cell towers to the next level – by launching new satellites into the sky. Through its Starlink satellites equipped with Direct to Cell (DTC) technology, regions once isolated from mobile coverage may soon be able to text, and then eventually call and use basic data, on compatible phones with a line of sight to the sky.
For its initial rollout, SpaceX has partnered with network providers from around the world. One NZ is spearheading the collaboration here in Aotearoa, having previously worked with the company to provide broadband in regions impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle last year.
“Traditionally, these large cell towers are built on the ground with an average range of up to 35 km in rural areas. Now we’re talking about those same cell towers attached to a satellite 360 km or so up in the air and transmitting down onto the land covering a much larger geography,” says Sharina Nisha, One NZ’s GM of network services.
Hundreds of these satellites are constantly circling the globe; with Starlink’s DTC technology, compatible New Zealand mobile phones can connect to these “cell towers” whenever a DTC-equipped satellite is over the country. These satellites move in convoys – known in the trade as “constellations” – so that when one satellite moves out of our atmosphere, the next one comes in behind.
“That gives us the ability to provide connectivity in so many more ways, for example to trampers, rural workers, and businesses that have fleets of people who go out of coverage as they drive up and down the country,” Nisha says. It’s not just land coverage: these satellites will cover up to 12 nautical miles (approximately 20 km) out to sea as well. “So there are a lot of ways New Zealanders will benefit from this new service, allowing people to connect: on the farm, on the water, in the mountains, and on the road – increasing safety and resilience.”
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people venture out into the great outdoors to tramp, ski, hunt, bike and camp in some of the most remote corners of Aotearoa. It’s a chance to reconnect with nature and disconnect from technology. But as exciting as these outdoor adventures can be, they also often come with some serious risks, with everything from injuries and illness to avalanches and storms threatening to thwart even the most well-thought-out plans.
“We always recommend people have a means of emergency communication, like satellite messaging devices. But these can cost upwards of $500, and we know that’s prohibitive for many people, so the vast majority are never going to be able to buy one for their outdoor adventures,” says Mike Daisley, CEO of NZ Mountain Safety Council. “That’s what’s so exciting about this new technology, because while it won’t replace these emergency tools, it’s going to place a very similar tool capable of two-way communication into people’s hands.”
As well as being useful in emergencies, Daisley says one of the biggest benefits of having two-way communication widely available in backcountry regions will be avoiding some of the most common and preventable safety situations. For example, if a tramper is running late, they can simply text their loved ones to prevent a worried call to search and rescue. Or if the weather takes an unexpected turn during a multi-day hunting trip, hunters can update their trusted contacts and won’t be tempted to rush out of the backcountry in dangerous conditions.
“When someone says they’re going to be at a certain hut at a certain time – but the weather’s turned south or they’ve hurt themselves – in many cases, they’ll feel pressure to push on and keep going because they know people are expecting them to be there,” says Daisley. “They feel they don’t have an option so they are more likely to make unwise decisions, pushing through conditions like a flooded river, instead of waiting things out or turning back. With the ability to text, people will be able to reach into their back pocket and easily change their commitment and keep others updated.”
Another common cause of safety incidents is groups splitting up and not being able to get in contact if a problem arises. Because groups typically share resources like first aid kits, this can become a problem if someone falls behind or goes ahead. “We don’t advise splitting up, but we do know it can happen. Especially with kids who’ll often bolt off ahead when they’re tramping with their parents, or spread out all over the track if they’re part of a big group outing,” notes Daisley. “In that case, if something goes wrong, there’s no way for the back group to contact the front group who might be the only ones with a first aid kit.”
Soon, thanks to the One NZ/Starlink collab (and with a compatible phone and plan) you may be able to simply send a text. The new satellite technology means there are “so many steps [you can take] before bigger problems happen”, says Daisley, “because you can communicate in a way you weren’t able to in the past.”
With over 900 trucks on the road picking up bins across Aotearoa, WM New Zealand (formerly known as Waste Management NZ) currently boasts the largest truck fleet in the waste and recycling industry. Travelling up and down the country throughout the week, it’s not uncommon for drivers to find themselves in rural locations and backcountry roads with zero mobile coverage.
While some trucks are equipped with RTs (radiotelephones) enabling two-way communication wherever they may be, there are limited ways for drivers to reach out for help if something goes wrong in vehicles without one. But with Direct to Cell technology, drivers with a compatible mobile phone will be able to easily communicate in an emergency on the road.
“The safety of our drivers is our priority, so whether it’s a breakdown or accident, we want to make sure we can stay in touch. If the driver for any reason feels unsafe, this new service will allow them to send a text and let someone know. This complements our existing SOS driver app that works when in a coverage area,” says Ingrid Cronin-Knight, chief growth and sustainability officer at WM New Zealand.
The technology will help WM New Zealand’s productivity, while also benefiting its customers, Cronin-Knight says. “If someone in a rural location wants to know when their skip bin is going to be in the area, this will give us the ability to text the driver and get an ETA if they’re out-of traditional cell-tower coverage,” she says.
The initial One NZ rollout will start with text, followed by calls and data, and later IOT (internet of things) capability. Once this happens, the number of possible uses will expand even more dramatically, with WM New Zealand’s high-tech fleet set to reap the rewards.
“Our trucks are already equipped with advanced technology including onboard computers, cameras and AI looking at things like driver behaviour and moving hazards,” says Cronin-Knight. “So we’re looking forward to when real-time audio, video, and data are always available with improved coverage. And as the technology becomes more seamless over time with more capabilities, that will allow us to update the kind of technology we have in our trucks.”
To bring this new network to life, hundreds of Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability will need to be launched into low-earth orbit. At the time of publication, more than 300 have been launched, with more to be added in the coming weeks. And now that all approvals are in place, including from the FCC in the US and local regulators like MBIE, One NZ has moved onto the testing phase.
Already network engineers are successfully sending and receiving TXT messages through the Starlink constellation. Their trials involve using the service on a variety of mobile phones in different locations in Aotearoa to understand the user experience and confirm which devices will be compatible at time of launch. Once the service is live and rolled out to your compatible device with an enabled plan, you may be able to send and receive text messages as long as you can clearly see the sky. Initially TXTs may take minutes to be sent and delivered, but the performance of the network should improve over time as more satellites are launched.
“This is leading-edge technology and we’re proud that One NZ is part of a New Zealand-first collaboration, especially because SpaceX are world leaders in satellite technology,” says Nisha. “It will also have massive resiliency benefits during a natural disaster such as Cyclone Gabrielle here in 2023 – and unfortunately what’s been playing out in the US during hurricane season recently. Satellite coverage will add another layer of connectivity if ground networks are disrupted, for example if power lines are cut.”
Having worked at One NZ for three decades, “building networks on the ground from 2G to 5G”, Nisha says bringing mobile coverage to the far reaches of New Zealand has been one of the most exciting projects of her career. “I never could’ve imagined we’d be using satellites to provide coverage to some of the country’s most remote areas, and we are doing it now. It really is a groundbreaking innovation.”
