SpaceX Starlink Expands Cellular Coverage in New Zealand to Support IoT Devices
SpaceX Starlink Expands Cellular Coverage in New Zealand to Support IoT Devices
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite technology is now going beyond mobile phones, with support for IoT devices now available in New Zealand. The new deployment began with equipment designed to monitor beehives in remote locations, allowing these areas to benefit from always-on connectivity.
In December, One NZ, a mobile carrier in New Zealand, became the first to launch cellular Starlink services for consumers—preceding T-Mobile’s own US beta by about a month. On Tuesday, SpaceX and One NZ informed the US Federal Communications Commission of their plan to use additional radio spectrum, aiming to increase satellite capacity. According to a letter from One NZ: “We now want to ensure that we continue to have sufficient capacity to provide services to users and to enable additional services to be offered, including data and IoT services. The allocation of additional spectral capacity will support these outcomes.”
One NZ’s new plans involve the 2500 to 2515MHz and 2620 to 2635MHz frequency bands in New Zealand. Previously, the carrier had only used the 1780 to 1785MHz and 1875 to 1880MHz bands to communicate with Starlink satellites.
This notification comes one month after One NZ began rolling out cellular Starlink to power and control IoT devices in remote regions. One notable use case is the partnership with local IT vendor APIS Solutions to develop what they call the “world’s first Starlink Direct-to-Cell (DTC) IoT network,” with the initial deployment aimed at beehive monitoring.
In a video demonstration, APIS Solutions explains it created the device using an off-the-shelf module that connects directly to SpaceX’s cellular Starlink satellites. This setup enables real-time beehive monitoring far from conventional cellular coverage, making it possible to manage beehives in isolated locations.
T-Mobile also confirmed to PCMag that IoT support is included in their cellular Starlink roadmap. “We’ll share more details as we continue to expand T-Satellite’s capabilities,” the company stated. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s official site has long promoted cellular Starlink as a means to keep IoT devices connected in rural or remote places.
Recently, T-Mobile upgraded its cellular Starlink offering to include multimedia messaging services, following the official US launch last week. In October, the technology will expand to enable data services for select third-party smartphone apps.
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About SpaceX:
SpaceX, officially Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is a pioneering American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. Headquartered in Hawthorne, California, SpaceX has transformed the space industry with its innovative approach to reusable rockets, including the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, and Falcon Heavy. The company’s Dragon spacecraft routinely delivers supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA. SpaceX’s Starlink project aims to build a global satellite internet network, providing high-speed connectivity to remote and underserved areas worldwide. The company is also developing Starship, a fully reusable spacecraft designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. SpaceX’s successes in reducing launch costs and increasing launch cadence have redefined commercial spaceflight, inspiring a new era of competition and technological advancement. With its ambitious goals, SpaceX is at the forefront of efforts to make human life multiplanetary and accessible space travel a reality.
About T-Mobile:
T-Mobile is one of the largest wireless carriers in the United States, known for its expansive 5G network and consumer-focused innovations. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US, Inc. has grown significantly, particularly after its 2020 merger with Sprint, which solidified its position as a major force in the American telecommunications industry. The company provides nationwide wireless voice, messaging, and data services, serving over 100 million customers as of 2025. T-Mobile is widely recognized for its “Un-carrier” initiatives, which challenge industry norms with benefits like contract-free plans, unlimited data, and customer-centric service. The carrier leads in 5G coverage, aiming to bridge digital divides and support new technologies, including IoT and satellite messaging through partnerships such as with SpaceX’s Starlink. T-Mobile continues to invest in network expansion, customer experience, and innovation, maintaining its reputation as a dynamic, forward-thinking telecom provider.
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