Apple is continuing to add support for carrier-based satellite services, with au customers in Japan and OneNZ customers in New Zealand now able toiPhone models use satellite connections provided by these carriers. auandOneNZBoth cooperate with SpaceX to provide customers with StarlinkDirect satellite services, andT-Mobile USAJoin hands to provide Starlink connectivity as an alternative to the built-in satellite messaging functionality of Apple iPhone 14 and later models.

Both Japan and New Zealand have vast swathes of land that traditional cellular coverage cannot reach due to terrain constraints.

For au customers, Starlink Direct covers all of Japan, providing connectivity to remote areas without cell towers. au charges no service fee, and users can use the service to send and receive text messages, get emergency earthquake alerts and share their location with friends and family.

In New Zealand, OneNZ customers can use Starlink Direct to send and receive text messages anywhere in the country, with the feature included on eligible mobile plans.

Starlink Direct works even if there is no cellular signal, as long as the sky is clearly visible. While open space without building obstructions helps with connectivity, users don't have to lift their smartphones to the sky to connect, which is a requirement for the built-in satellite service Apple offers through its partnership with Globalstar.

iPhone 14 and later support carrier-based satellite services, and customers with access to carrier satellite options can use these services in addition to the satellite connections included in modern iPhones.