One New Zealand to use SpaceX satellites to improve coverage

One New Zealand, formerly Vodafone NZ, has signed an agreement with billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX to use the U.S. company’s Starlink satellites to provide cell coverage to 100 percent of New Zealand from late 2024.
The technology would initially be for text and multimedia messaging services but would later extend to voice and data services in areas of New Zealand not currently connected, One New Zealand said in a news statement.

One New Zealand’s mobile network covers 98 percent of places New Zealanders live and work but currently covers only 50 percent of the country’s landmass.

“When the service goes live, there will be coverage across the country whether you’re out on your boat, climbing a mountain, fixing a remote road or on your farm,” One New Zealand Chief Executive Jason Paris said.