Australia’s telecommunications sector is seeing major developments, with Telstra partnering with SpaceX’s Starlink to roll out satellite-to-mobile services. Initially launching SMS capabilities in 2025, Telstra plans to expand to voice and low-speed data to improve coverage in remote areas. Optus is also competing in this space, having announced similar satellite-to-mobile plans in 2023.
Meanwhile, NBN Co is addressing infrastructure challenges by installing nesting platforms on fixed wireless towers to protect wildlife while maintaining network accessibility. Additionally, the federal government is providing up to $3 billion to help NBN Co upgrade fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) connections to full fibre, ensuring faster and more reliable internet access across Australia.
Telstra Partners with SpaceX’s Starlink for Satellite-to-Mobile Services
Telstra has announced a collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink to deliver satellite-to-mobile services across Australia. The initial phase will involve trialling text messaging capabilities on compatible devices, with plans for a commercial launch later this year. In the longer term, Telstra aims to expand the service to include voice and low-speed data for smartphones nationwide. This initiative is particularly significant for regional and remote areas, as the Starlink mobile footprint is expected to cover most parts of Australia, complementing Telstra’s existing networks.
Currently, devices like the Apple iPhone 14 offer satellite connectivity for emergency SOS services; however, Telstra’s development will enable users to send SMS messages in non-emergency situations as well. This partnership builds upon Telstra’s previous agreements with Starlink, including the launch of Satellite Home Internet services in 2023.
Optus Also Involved in Satellite-to-Mobile Race
Telstra’s agreement follows a similar deal announced by Optus in 2023, in which the company committed to launching satellite-to-mobile SMS in 2024, followed by voice and data connectivity in 2025. Both telcos aim to improve connectivity in rural and remote areas where mobile coverage has traditionally been limited.
NBN Co Installs Nesting Platforms Above Fixed Wireless Towers
NBN Co is installing specific platform structures on top of fixed wireless towers for birds to nest to prevent disturbance from technical maintenance. Seven nesting platforms have already been erected in NSW and Queensland since December 2023, with eight more due for construction in the same states.
Built by tower manufacturer Leblanc, the platforms are positioned above the active equipment, allowing birds to nest away from critical infrastructure. According to NBN Co, the nests often obstruct access to antennas and dishes, meaning technicians cannot maintain infrastructure without disturbing the nests. Out of 2400 fixed wireless towers, NBN Co said it has identified over 500 with nesting wildlife, including eastern ospreys, peregrine falcons, and Torresian crows. The provider said each platform takes around three months to design, construct, and install.
An NBN Co spokesperson added that “2024 [was the] the first nesting season [it] had bird platforms in place.” Casie Scott, regional development and engagement manager at NBN Co, said: “Protecting natural environments has always been a core responsibility of [NBN Co], as the construction, operation and maintenance of Australia’s largest infrastructure project carries the potential for adverse impact.”
Government to Provide NBN Co with Up to $3 Billion for FTTN Overbuild
NBN Co will receive up to $3 billion from the federal government and contribute $800 million of its own funds to upgrade the last 622,000 premises still on fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) to full fibre connections. Network upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2030. Over 95 percent of the remaining FTTN footprint will be upgraded to full fibre, but customers must order a minimum 100Mbps service to qualify. The remaining five percent, around 31,000 premises, require further design work to determine the appropriate upgrade path.
The latest funding builds on the $2.4 billion pledged by the Labor government in 2022 before the election. Labor had committed to upgrading an additional 1.5 million homes and businesses in the FTTN footprint to fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP). The previous government initiated the FTTN overbuild program in 2020 as a $3.5 billion project funded through private debt markets.
FTTN is considered a “burning platform” due to its higher operational costs, increased maintenance needs, and subpar user experiences. In August 2024, NBN Co reported upgrading around 375,000 users to full fibre through its FTTN and fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) overbuild programs, converting up to 10,000 premises per week. By October, NBN Co projected it could upgrade half a million premises per year to full fibre connectivity.