Telstra, the Australian telecommunications company, has announced plans to sell broadband and voice services specifically designed for rural and remote customers, utilizing the Starlink satellite network.
Vicki Brady, CEO of Telstra, stated that the company is the first in the world to secure an agreement with Starlink and will provide these services to both consumer and business customers.
Telstra has been actively testing and trialing low earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology in preparation for this endeavor.
Brady explained that Telstra currently employs various technologies, such as NBN fixed wireless, their own mobile network, and older copper and radio networks, to deliver voice and broadband services in rural and remote areas of Australia. Starlink will serve as an additional connectivity option for locations where the existing networks face challenges due to distance and terrain.
In addition, Telstra aims to offer value-added services including professional installation and local assistance for setup, distinguishing itself from the current Starlink customer experience where customers deal directly with the company or arrange for their own installation.
Telstra is set to disclose pricing and device details closer to the expected late 2023 launch.
