Toronto 
Rogers Communications Inc. and SpaceX have partnered to provide satellite-to-phone coverage across Canada using SpaceX’s Starlink low earth orbit satellites and Rogers’ national wireless spectrum.
The collaboration aims to deliver connectivity for 5G and 4G smartphones in remote areas where traditional wireless networks are limited.
Per the news release, Rogers will begin to expand satellite-to-phone coverage in 2024 across Canada’s most remote regions and rural highways not covered by any wireless networks. The service will initially support SMS texting and, over time, provide voice and data across the country’s most remote areas such as wilderness, national parks, and rural highways that are unconnected today.
The partnership follows the recent commitment by Rogers to bring wireless service and 911 access with 5G and 4G smartphones throughout the entire Toronto subway system and extend wireless coverage along Canada’s remote highways.
Rogers has also partnered with Lynk Global to test and bring satellite-to-phone connectivity across Canada. Lynk says it is the world’s only patented, proven, and commercially-licensed satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone system, and is presently testing sat2phone services in over 20 nations. It has the unique distinction of having transmitted text messages to and from space through unaltered standard mobile devices.
The companies’ partnership will make Rogers the first wireless provider in Canada to offer satellite connectivity to its customers coast-to-coast.
The satellite-to-phone coverage will work with all 5G and 4G smartphones and support SMS and MMS text, allowing Canadians to reach emergency services through text.
The announcement builds on Rogers’ investment to bring Canadians the largest 5G wireless network covering over 2,000 communities. Rogers also brings Canadians a national coast-to-coast wireline network with fiber-powered internet available to nearly 70% of Canadian households following its merger with Shaw.
