Mobile phone satellite messaging
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 at 19:52
ThreadID: 153811
Views:1385
Replies:6
FollowUps:11
IvanTheTerrible
Did a trip earlier this year and just got back from another a few days ago and change in satellite messaging on a mobile phone between the two is incredible . On the first trip sending messages was inconsistent and if it did send it took for ever. This trip it was almost instant and never failed. This included sending images which we couldn't do on our earlier trip. This has now pretty much made our dedicated satellite messaging system obsolete.
Reply By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 at 20:02
Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 at 20:02
Was it the same phone and plan Ivan
AnswerID:
649578
Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 at 20:44
Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 at 20:44
Same phone on the telstra
FollowupID:
931398
Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Thursday, Sep 17, 2026 at 07:21
Thursday, Sep 17, 2026 at 07:21
Certain I phones (14? and later) Samsung S24 and later and later model Google phones have this capability.
Definitely Telstra but must be the dearer post paid account plans, not cheaper prepaid plans ( as I unfortunately found out).
I have to wait until my 6 month prepaid lapses before ex reverting back to post paid.
I used it a couple if times when bushwalking out of range earlier this year.
Vodafone in New Zealand had this Starlink based service several months before Telstra here, but i hadn't heard of it with Vodafone here.
AnswerID:
649580
Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 at 11:57
Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 at 11:57
Mine is an Samsung A56
FollowupID:
931402
Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 at 14:25
Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 at 14:25
Apologies Ivan, the late models Samsung A phones also have that capability
FollowupID:
931403
Reply By: Member - Duncan2H - Thursday, Sep 17, 2026 at 11:18
Thursday, Sep 17, 2026 at 11:18
It really is superb.. such an impressive tech.
AnswerID:
649582
Reply By: Tony W - Monday, Sep 21, 2026 at 18:42
Monday, Sep 21, 2026 at 18:42
Not just messaging.
On new Samsung and Iphones it also supports the following apps.
In Oct older Samsungs will also support these too.
It's completely changed the rules.
Navigation
Google Maps: Provides navigation and enables certain location-based features via satellite connectivity, allowing limited functionality when outside mobile coverage, including in some remote environments.
Apple Maps: Enables basic location reference and navigation support
AllTrails: Supports trail location and navigation using GPS
Caltopo: Off
grid topographic mapping tool ideal for backcountry navigation
Apple compass
Apple Find My
Google Find
Messaging
WhatsApp: Provides access to basic messaging features via satellite connectivity when outside the range of Telstra’s mobile network.
Facebook Messenger: Supports simple text messaging
Signal: Supports simple text messaging
Apple messages
Google messages with Gemini (Android Only)
Light-social and fitness
X: Provides access to basic, text-based updates on popular topics and viral discussions.
Apple Fitness: Records activity locally
Google Fitness
Weather
AccuWeather: Provides access to forecasts and alerts to help stay prepared for any weather.
Google weather
Apple weather
Telstra
My Telstra: enables basic service visibility and support for Telstra customers.
AnswerID:
649587
Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026 at 06:40
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026 at 06:40
I didn't know that Tony. I look forward to using some of those Apps when I revert back to a post paid Telstra service.
I asked people at two Telstra stores if the cheaper prepaid plans would enable Starlink based messaging. They both incorrectly said if would.
FollowupID:
931413
Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026 at 19:47
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026 at 19:47
I could get nothing web based to work only text messaging.
Tested Google maps and weather
Tested Facebook
This with a 6 month old Samsung A56
FollowupID:
931415
Follow Up By: Tony W - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 at 06:05
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 at 06:05
Your A56 probably uses UI 8.5.
Samsung is releasing 9 UI for the A 56 in about Oct / Nov then you will have all the app support.
FollowupID:
931417
Reply By: Gronk - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 at 19:54
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 at 19:54
I'm on $300/yr for 300Gb...on Boost.
The Telstra post paid plans are approx $70+ /month.
I don't know why they only offer it for their $850/yr customers.
But I'm certainly not buying a new phone and moving to Telstra for an extra $500/yr to get it.
AnswerID:
649591
Follow Up By: Tony W - Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 06:32
Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 06:32
I would have thought it was pretty obvious, Gronk. Access to the Satellite costs money.
Someone has to pay for the access.
FollowupID:
931427
Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 10:04
Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 10:04
Satellite messaging is available on all plans and prepaid. It's part of the governments communication guarantee.
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931430
Follow Up By: Tony W - Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 10:17
Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 10:17
I don't think that's correct Ivan.
I am pretty sure Sat comms is only available on select phones, on the Telstra post-paid plans. I don't think it's related to any Government initiative, which only place obligations for land lines, for what that's worth these days.
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/usg_fact_sheet.pdf
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 12:04
Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 12:04
Ivan, as I posted above satellite messaging is NOT available on the cheaper prepaid plans v Post paid. I had a post paid plan until July which the satellite messaging worked on, I switched to pre paid after receiving (found to be incorrect) advise from two separate Telstra stores that it did work.
I will be paying he extra to switch back to the more expensive post paid when my existing prepaid credit expires.
Why, because it's much cheaper than any other satellite messaging system (Garmin, Spot, Xero etc).
When remote bushwalking or really remote driving I still carry a PLB as
well, though when its battery expires in 2030 I am doubtful I'll buy another one.
FollowupID:
931436
Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Sunday, Sep 27, 2026 at 07:17
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026 at 07:17
Corporate and Government users also need to be aware that they will need to activate Satellite Messaging on a SIM by SIM basis, and pay extra for it each month.
FollowupID:
931453
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 at 09:48
Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 at 09:48
This is stage one of a longer term plan under the contractual and legislative delivery of the Australian Government's Universal Service Guarantee (USG) and Universal Service Obligation (USO).
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
649594