澳洲电信公司Telstra正式启动卫星连接服务，自本周二生效[1]。该服务基于Starlink卫星，用户可在无地面网络覆盖区域通过支持的应用进行通信和导航，涵盖Apple Maps、Google Maps、AllTrails、iMessage、WhatsApp、Facebook Messenger、Signal、Google Messages、Apple Weather、AccuWeather、Google Weather和Google Fitness[1]。然而，用户仍无法通过该卫星连接拨打澳洲紧急求助电话Triple Zero[1]。
这一扩展服务是Telstra去年推出的卫星文本服务的升级版本[1]。自推出以来，该服务已发送或接收超过2600万条文本消息，日均连接数超过200,000，较推出初期的约80,000增长显著[1]。目前已有2.9百万用户至少使用过一次该服务[1]。维多利亚州丛林火灾期间，卫星连接量曾增加两倍[1]。
服务需要iPhone 13或更新机型，或Samsung Galaxy S26才能使用[1]。Telstra执行官Hannah Chong强调，卫星服务不能作为紧急情况下的依赖[1]。根据Gartner预测，2027年澳大利亚和新西兰直接对设备的卫星连接用户将达150万，相关用户支出将从2,800万美元增至6,600万美元[1]。
Australian telecommunications company Telstra has activated satellite connectivity for a range of consumer applications, enabling users in areas without ground network coverage to access essential services [1]. The expanded offering, which went into effect this week, supports Apple Maps, Google Maps, iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal, Google Messages, Apple Weather, AccuWeather, Google Weather, AllTrails, and Google Fitness [1]. However, the service does not extend to emergency calls through Triple Zero, Australia's equivalent to 911 [1].
The new satellite functionality builds on Telstra's existing text messaging service launched last year, which has grown substantially since its introduction [1]. The company's satellite infrastructure has processed over 26 million messages since launch, with daily connections exceeding 200,000 users compared to approximately 80,000 at launch [1]. The user base has expanded to 2.9 million individuals who have utilized the service at least once [1]. The satellite network proved particularly valuable during Victoria's recent bushfires, when satellite connection usage tripled [1].
Access to the service requires iPhone 13 or newer models, or Samsung Galaxy S26 devices [1]. Telstra executive Hannah Chong cautioned that the satellite service should not be relied upon during emergencies [1]. Industry analyst firm Gartner projects that direct-to-device satellite connections in Australia and New Zealand will reach 1.5 million by 2027, with user spending increasing from $28 million to $66 million [1]. To achieve full Australian coverage, Starlink needs to deploy between 640 and 650 satellites in orbit for direct ground connection [1].