MSC Welcomes Launch of One NZ Satellite TXT Service
Media Release
NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) says the launch of the One NZ Satellite TXT service will bring improved access to communication for more Kiwis venturing into the outdoors.
The service, a One NZ partnership with Starlink Direct to Mobile (engineered by SpaceX), enables One NZ customers with an eligible mobile phone and plan to send and receive text messages anywhere in Aotearoa where they have a clear line of sight to the sky. Four phone models will initially be compatible with the service, with more expected to come onstream next year.
MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley says the technology will not replace emergency communication devices in the outdoors but people will have more communication options when in remote, rural and backcountry locations that are out of traditional cell tower coverage.
We don’t recommend anyone relies on their mobile phone as an emergency communication device, but the One NZ Satellite TXT service is an exciting step forward for outdoor communication. It means we can communicate in a way we haven’t before.
The new satellite TXT service allows hikers, hunters and other backcountry enthusiasts with an eligible mobile phone and plan to communicate with family and friends for non-emergencies, thereby avoiding some of the most common and preventable safety situations.
“If a tramper is running late or needs to spend another night out in the bush because of bad weather or an unsafe river crossing, they can text their trusted contact to update them on their plans and prevent a worried call to search and rescue. It also means they won’t be tempted to push the boundaries in dangerous conditions.”
In the initial rollout of the service, text messages will take from 3 minutes and up to 10 minutes or longer to send and be received. As more satellites are launched, One NZ expects this time to decrease to about a minute.
MSC does not recommend the outdoor community relies solely on their mobile phone and encourages everyone heading into the outdoors to take an emergency communications device, even if their phone is eligible for the new satellite TXT service.
In the backcountry and even in areas close to or within urban environments, there are some places where you will not have a line of sight to the sky so the satellite service won’t work. This includes in dense bush or at the bottom of a narrow valley or gulley,– says Mike.
Suitable emergency communication device options include satellite messengers (like a Garmin inReach) and personal locator beacons.
“Having a reliable and accessible communication device can be a lifesaver in an emergency, enabling you to get help when you need it,” says Mike. “You should thoroughly research the different options ahead of your trip to find out what will work best for your specific circumstances.”
Additional information
One NZ Satellite TXT terms: Initial beta TXT service rolling out on a limited number of eligible phones with an eligible plan. See one.nz/SpaceX. TXT only and requires line of sight to the sky. Service limitations, network performance, phone and plan eligibility will improve over time. Delivery times of TXT via satellite will be slower than traditional TXT. Terms, fair use and capacity management apply.
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