One year of One NZ Satellite: Kiwis embrace Satellite TXT to stay in touch all across Aotearoa

• Over 700,000 New Zealanders can now text from anywhere in Aotearoa, as long as they have line of sight to the sky
• Over 7 million messages sent through Starlink's satellite-to-mobile technology - messages that previously would never have been sent, keeping Kiwi safer and more connected
• Messaging, smart sensor (Internet of Things) capabilities launched, with more services rolling out soon

It's been a year since One New Zealand Satellite went live, giving Kiwis access to the world's first nationwide Satellite TXT service powered by Starlink Direct to Cell. And what a year it's been.

One NZ Satellite now works on 70+ devices, with over 700,000 One NZ customers eligible for satellite coverage in about 40% of Aotearoa's landmass not covered by traditional mobile services, plus a good stretch offshore. Wherever you can see the sky, they've basically got a backup.

The broad eligibility means that New Zealanders have already sent over 7 million messages through Starlink's satellites in space - helping them stay in touch from huts, hilltops, beaches, back roads and paddocks all over the country, all places that previously were offline.

The collaboration with Starlink has quickly become something One NZ customers now rely on - from trampers and farmers, to boaties and businesses keeping their people safer and connected, in former mobile blackspots.

One NZ Experience and Commercial Director Joe Goddard, says it's been awesome to see the service take off: "We knew One NZ Satellite would make a difference, but the pick-up has blown us away. From everyday users wanting peace of mind to businesses using it to help keep their crews safe in some pretty remote spots - it's been great watching the country make the most of this pioneering technology."

Coming through when the weather doesn't

One NZ Satellite has also proven itself in emergencies.

During the wild weather and long power outages in Southland recently, and wild weather across the lower parts of Aotearoa, One NZ worked with Starlink to open the service more broadly. With some cell sites offline, Satellite TXT kept One NZ customers connected when they really needed it leading to a 300% increase in messages through the network.

"It's a great reassurance for our customers and we've used the special resiliency measures three times in total during storms this year - during Cyclone Tam in April, the Nelson-Tasman flooding in July, and most recently in October during wild weather in the South Island. When things go wrong on the ground, having a safety net in space makes a real difference."

Kiwis and businesses jumping on board as the service continues to expand

A big driver this year has been organisations wanting to look after their people who work in tough, remote environments - forestry crews, farm workers, construction teams, truck drivers, and more.

They're using Satellite TXT as a simple, reliable safety lifeline when they're out of mobile coverage, and uptake across individual customers has been just as strong.

In this first year of the brand-new technology globally, One NZ has already gone beyond texting, launching Satellite IoT to help farmers and businesses run remote sensors and devices outside coverage of the terrestrial network and over the summer more Kiwis will get access to data via select apps, perfect for quick check-ins, simple updates, or letting someone know you're safe.

Keeping Aotearoa connected - no matter where we are

One NZ was the first telco in the world to launch a nationwide Satellite TXT service using Starlink's Direct-to-Cell satellites - and a year on, it's clear New Zealanders have made it their own.

Joe says the team can't wait for what's next: "Kiwis are brilliant at taking new tech and putting it to good use, and satellite data is going to open up even more ways to stay connected when you're off the beaten track. We're genuinely excited to see how people use it - whether that's checking maps or weather from the back blocks, calling home from a boat, or just giving the family peace of mind on a weekend adventure."

For more check out one.nz/satellite