Optus and SpaceX, which builds and launches rockets and various spacecraft today announced plans to deliver mobile connectivity using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. Together, they plan to cover 100% of Australia starting with the rollout of SMS in late 2024 & voice and data from late 2025

Key highlights include:

• Optus, in collaboration with SpaceX, announced an agreement to deliver mobile connectivity using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation.
• The partnership with SpaceX aims to bring the coverage capabilities of satellites direct to compatible mobile handsets without the need for customers to buy additional equipment.

Through its agreement with SpaceX, Optus will work to expand the reach of customers’ mobile connectivity to include the 60% of Australia’s land mass that currently has no mobile coverage.

The increased coverage will be achieved through a phased rollout of SpaceX’s satellite capability, starting with SMS in late 2024, with voice and data to follow in late 2025.

Optus’ Managing Director, Marketing and Revenue, Matt Williams, said, “Optus has always thought differently about what it means to deliver connectivity to our customers, and today we proudly provide mobile coverage to 98.5% of Australia’s population through our existing network,”

“However, Australia’s vastness and terrain can make it difficult for any operator to provide mobile coverage everywhere it is needed – especially in remote or hard-to-reach locations,”

“Our work with SpaceX aims to bring the coverage capabilities of satellites direct to compatible mobile handsets without the need for customers to buy additional equipment.  This partnership builds on our proud history of satellite innovation in Australia,” Williams said.

“This is a truly innovative model for Australia – connecting satellites to standard mobile phones – and a significant evolution beyond the services SpaceX has provided in Australia to date. It will create a unique experience for Optus customers.” he said.

Optus, a subsidiary of Singtel and one of Australia’s leading telecommunications providers, has been actively seeking innovative solutions to address the country’s connectivity challenges.

With vast, sparsely populated regions, Australia has long struggled to provide reliable internet access to all of its citizens, particularly in remote and rural areas.

SpaceX’s Senior Director of Satellite Engineering, Sara Spangelo, said, “We share Optus’ vision to improve connectivity across Australia.

“The connectivity pairs SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation with Optus’ mobile network to transmit directly to mobile phones across the country,”

“We’re excited to collaborate with Optus and offer a solution to expand coverage and help keep customers connected regardless of where they live or travel,” said Dr. Spangelo.

The new satellite-to-phone coverage will be extensively tested before launch, with further information on its characteristics and accessibility provided closer to availability.

The Optus-SpaceX collaboration also aligns with the Australian government’s commitment to improve digital infrastructure across the nation and potentially play a pivotal role in boosting economic growth, supporting remote education, telemedicine services, and enhancing communication networks for emergency responders.

In 2022 SpaceX’s Starlink announced it had over 1 million active subscribers worldwide since its initial launch of several different types of services the year before.