Telstra partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite company for better rural and remote connectivity

Telstra will become one of the first telecommunication companies in the world to use Elon Musk’s satellite provider Starlink for rural broadband and voice services. The major telco’s chief executive Vicki Brady on Monday announced the use of Starlink’s satellite technology would begin later this year and provide additional connectivity to parts of Australia which were difficult to reach under Telstra’s existing network. Pricing for the service is set to be released later this year. “Telstra is always looking to invest in new and better connectivity options for our customers,” Ms Brady said in a statement. “We know that collaborating with the right partners is one of the best ways to help unlock a digital future, in this case for people in rural and remote Australia looking for an improved voice or broadband service.” The Starlink agreement is part of Telstra’s T25 strategy, which includes a goal to offer satellite products with voice and broadband options for retail and business customers. Telstra’s agreement with Starlink is expected to provide better connectivity options for business customers in Australia and overseas due to the higher bandwidth on offer. “What will set our offer apart is the addition of Telstra voice service, a professional install option and the ability to get local help with your set up if needed,” Ms Brady said.