Starlink’s push into satellite-to-phone connectivity is already showing real-world impact, and New Zealand is emerging as an early proof point. One NZ has now marked the first full year of its Starlink-powered Direct to Cell service, revealing just how heavily the technology has been used since launching in December 2024.
According to longtime industry watcher @SERobinsonJr, One NZ customers sent more than 7 million text messages over Starlink during the service’s first year. The satellite texting feature, branded locally as Satellite TXT, currently covers about 40% of New Zealand and has made more than 700,000 customers eligible to stay connected even when they’re outside traditional cellular coverage.
That capability has proven especially critical during emergencies. The Starlink-powered service was used during major weather events throughout 2025, including Cyclone Tam in April, flooding in the Nelson–Tasman region in July, and multiple South Island storms in October. During power and network outages in Southland, satellite messaging traffic reportedly surged by 300%, highlighting how space-based connectivity can act as a resilient backup when terrestrial infrastructure fails.
One NZ made headlines last December when it became the first carrier in the world to launch a Starlink-powered satellite cellular service. Since then, the partnership has continued to expand. Earlier this year, Starlink Direct to Cell added support for IoT devices, starting with a pilot program in New Zealand. Farmers and businesses can now use satellite-connected sensors in remote areas to transmit data without relying on local mobile towers, opening up new use cases for agriculture and infrastructure monitoring.
New Zealand was just the beginning. Starlink Direct to Cell is already available through T-Mobile in the U.S., Rogers in Canada, Entel in Chile, and more. The service is also slated to roll out in Africa through a partnership with Airtel Africa, and in the U.K. via Virgin Media O2 next year.
While SpaceX is currently working with established telecom operators, the company is also laying the groundwork for a more independent future. Starlink has agreed to purchase $17 billion worth of wireless spectrum from EchoStar and has received approval to begin testing Direct to Cell service on that spectrum in 2026. Recent trademark filings even hint at a standalone “Starlink Mobile” service that wouldn’t rely on incumbent carriers at all.
For now, One NZ’s first-year numbers offer a compelling glimpse at how satellite-to-phone connectivity could reshape mobile coverage worldwide.
