Australian telecommunications company TPG Telecom has partnered with satellite-to-mobile operator Lynk Global to eliminate mobile coverage dead zones around Australia. The non-exclusive service launch agreement paves the way for TPG Telecom to address mobile connectivity gaps in rural and remote areas by connecting standard mobile phones to Lynk's growing constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
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sat2phone Technology
Under the partnership, TPG Telecom and Lynk Global will deploy the "sat2phone" technology, which will initially offer text messaging services starting in 2025. Plans to introduce voice and limited data services are also on the horizon.
Future Plans in Australia
In other countries, Lynk provides cell broadcast (emergency) alerts and text messaging. In Australia, Lynk is testing SMS and plans to introduce voice and limited data services in the future. With over two-thirds of Australia's landmass lacking mobile coverage, this partnership aims to bridge these connectivity gaps, supplementing TPG's existing terrestrial network, Lynk Global explained.
"Combining innovative technologies like sat2phone with our mobile network would bring much-needed connectivity to those living and working in remote and rural locations and could play a critical role in delivering life-saving services," TPG Telecom said.
"Over two-thirds of Australia’s landmass is currently without mobile coverage, making this vast terrain an ideal target to deliver mobile connectivity directly from Lynk's LEO satellites as a supplement to TPG's extensive terrestrial mobile network," Lynk Global added.
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This technology, acting as an extension to, and not a replacement for terrestrial mobile services, could eventually enable TPG Telecom to deliver basic voice, text, and data services to coverage gaps in very remote locations.
Global Agreements
Lynk has entered into service agreements with over 40 mobile network operators globally, including Globe, Telstra, Spark, 2degrees, Rogers, Turkcell, Vodafone Ghana, Telikom, and many others, the joint statement this week.
