Telstra satellite messaging expands to apps and maps

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Just over a year since Telstra launched satellite text messaging the telco is now expanding functionality to "Select Satellite Apps". Powered by Telstra's partnership with Starlink, eligible customers will now be able to use satellite optimised apps for navigation, messaging, checking the weather and more.

As with satellite SMS, the Select Satellite Apps functionality is designed for use when eligible Telstra customers are out of range of the core mobile network and able to connect to a Starlink satellite i.e. outside with a clear view of the sky.

Telstra says the rollout is targeted to apps that support practical activities that use little data, it only supports a limited selection of apps at present as app developers will need time to optimise them for satellite use.

You'll also need those apps to be pre-installed and logged in, you won't be able to download apps or updates outside of mobile coverage areas.

According to Telstra some activities may take longer than they do on the mobile network and they might not have full functionality. For example, while WhatsApp has audio and video calling, the satellite service isn't designed for that sort of real-time, high-speed usage and any access to those tools shouldn't be relied upon.

Further, messaging tools supported by satellite don't support Triple Zero.

Select Satellite Apps is available to Telstra customers on Upfront mobile plans or Telstra Business mobile plans. In terms of hardware you'll need to have the latest software installed on an iPhone 13 or newer, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 family of devices. Additional devices will become available over time.

Supported apps include:

• Navigation apps: Apple Maps, Google Maps and AllTrails
• Messaging apps: iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal and Google Messages
• Weather apps: Apple's Weather app, AccuWeather and Google Weather
• Google Fitness
• My Telstra 

Here's a look at Telstra's Upfront plans which are eligble for use with Select Satellite Apps:

Telstra	Telstra $84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan 180GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $84.00/mth Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84.00/mth Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
Telstra	Telstra $99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan 300GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $99.00/mth Min. cost $99 Link not supplied	$99.00/mth Min. cost $99	Link not supplied
Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $74.00/mth Min. cost $74 Link not supplied	$74.00/mth Min. cost $74	Link not supplied

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Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.​

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