Starlink and One New Zealand collaboration: The future of connectivity awaits
One New Zealand (One NZ) has recently partnered with SpaceX’s satellite unit Starlink to provide nationwide direct-to-cell coverage. The partnership was announced as part of plans to provide coverage to 100 per cent of the country and could spell the end of blackspots once and for all.
Whether you are out on a boat, climbing a mountain, traipsing the rugby field, travelling a remote road or out on the farm, the recent collaboration between One NZ and Starlink will ensure you remain connected to civilisation, day and night.
Just a day after launching their new rebrand, One NZ (formerly known as Vodafone NZ) announced major plans to link up with satellite internet provider Starlink, founded by well-known American billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The agreement marks a significant step forward for New Zealand, particularly at a time when the world is grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19 and the isolated restrictions that have been regularly imposed before, during and after natural disasters.
The collaboration reflects a desire to bridge the digital divide that currently exists throughout New Zealand, something One NZ Senior Corporate Affairs Lead Matt Flood says is a critical step forward for communities throughout the nation.
“We recognise that New Zealand is one of the most isolated and rugged countries in the world, and even if you combine all of the current cell networks, you only get to circa 60 per cent geographic coverage,” he says.
“To reach that final 40 per cent requires an innovative solution, and it doesn’t get much more innovative than this partnership.
That’s why leading mobile providers such as T-Mobile in the US have also made SpaceX their partner of choice, and ultimately, they have a solid track record of delivery.”
Starlink hit New Zealand for the first time in February 2021, primarily to provide fast and reliable internet to some of the country’s deepest, darkest pockets. As the years have passed, the power of word of mouth has worked its charm and hundreds of customers have taken up the opportunity to become better connected via satellite.
Naturally, a partnership between Starlink and One NZ will be a welcome change for many, and may be the trigger point to eliminate blackspots once and for all.
“This collaboration will provide coverage to 100 per cent of the country, and end blackspots. We see this as a complimentary technology to our 4G and 5G network, which already delivers lower latency and higher bandwidth connectivity where available,” Mr Flood adds.
“This means, while you won’t necessarily be streaming Netflix from one of our amazing national parks with the satellite service, you will definitely still have that vital connectivity to share your location and keep in touch with the whanau.”
Reflecting on the direct benefits of the collaboration for the logistics and transport sector, Mr Flood points out the initiative will help to enhance functionality, in turn improving operational efficiency.
“The key direct benefit of this partnership is broader coverage. When we talk about the logistics and transport sector, this broader coverage will enable solutions that monitor fleet compliance and safety, through real-time connectivity, and provide employee safety benefits for sole operator drivers and operations staff,” Mr Flood explains.
“In fact, looking to the future, possibilities such as unmanned, remote connected distribution hubs, better coverage for control of loss and loss prevention for high-value freight and assets and a better customer experience through real-time tracking and information flow to customers.”
A satellite internet service such as Starlink definitely has a role to play. It helped Wairoa reconnect with the world after hours of complete blackout, and proved to be a pivotal factor in bringing numerous communities back online. It is easy to deploy, doesn’t depend on local infrastructure, and only needs a small generator for power.
While this satellite backup cannot provide the amount of international capacity needed in a major disaster, they are still a valuable option and the benefits will roll out into the transport sector nationwide.
However, while the introduction of SpaceX on a wider scale will be welcomed, particularly by the civil defence networks and territorial authorities throughout the motu, there is still a concern about the cost to secure Starlink’s services. Typically, there are high upfront costs involved to install the equipment needed, and while this may be affordable for some, it may not be feasible for those in low-income communities.
Though, such are the benefits that come with the service, there is likely to be some level of government assistance for those that see cost as a barrier, as the ability to have satellite communication available must far outweigh any associated costs in the long run.
Other advantages to bringing the internet to remote areas include much wider-reaching opportunities such as farmers being able to access crucial information to improve their yields, telemedicine enabling patients to receive healthcare services and advice without the need to travel long distances and a boost in overall tourism, with accommodation providers and other businesses having the access to offer online bookings and digital communication.
As it becomes the new norm for people to work and study from home on a more regular basis, reliable internet connectivity and the ability to digitally communicate, in general, starts to become a lifeline and this partnership will go a long way in giving New Zealand an edge in the digital world.
The initial SpaceX SMS services are expected to be available from late 2024, with voice and data services set to follow in 2025. As for the future beyond that, that really is anyone’s guess.