Telstra Urges for Additional LEO Satellites Following Increase in Remote Mobile Disruptions
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Brief Overview
- Telstra has experienced a 43% rise in mobile outages attributed to gaps in LEO satellite coverage.
- These outages affect remote populations as well as triple zero emergency services.
- Eutelsat OneWeb is actively working to launch additional satellites to enhance coverage.
- New regulations mandate that carriers report noteworthy local outages.
- Telstra is improving triple zero services by upgrading payphones and providing satellite kits.
Telstra’s Demand for More LEO Satellites
Telstra has underscored the urgent requirement for further deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in collaboration with Eutelsat OneWeb. This necessity stems from a striking 43% rise in mobile base station outages in remote locations, which depend significantly on LEOsat-based backhaul for connectivity. These disruptions greatly affect remote communities and the accessibility of triple zero emergency services.
Insights on the Outages
The outages, which have escalated from 3614 in 2024 to 5221 in 2025, are due to inadequate LEOsat coverage, resulting in mobile towers losing connectivity for as long as 35 minutes daily. This interruption affects critical services, including emergency calls, in remote areas.
Initiatives for Better Coverage
Telstra is joining forces with OneWeb to enhance satellite coverage by introducing additional LEO satellites. While improvement has been noted since mid-2025, with fewer outages, coverage gaps persist as a challenge, especially in the southern hemisphere.
Effects on Triple Zero Services
The outages mainly influence small populations, frequently indigenous communities, where access to emergency services is crucial. Telstra has taken steps to improve triple zero service availability, such as upgrading payphones and deploying Starlink kits for quick response.
Regulatory Actions and Upcoming Plans
As of June 2025, new regulations require carriers to report major local outages. Telstra, following these guidelines, has established “significant community impact” using strict criteria and is proactively enhancing network resilience through co-investment initiatives and infrastructure upgrades.
Conclusion
Telstra’s growing dependence on LEO satellites for remote connectivity has led to an increase in mobile outages, affecting remote communities and emergency services. The collaboration with OneWeb to enhance satellite coverage is continuously evolving, supported by regulations and infrastructure improvements aimed at mitigating these challenges.
Q: What is driving the rise in mobile outages?
A: The increase is attributed to coverage deficiencies in the LEO satellite network, which hampers backhaul connectivity for remote mobile base stations.
Q: In what ways are the outages impacting remote communities?
A: Outages disrupt critical services, including triple zero emergency calls, impacting communities that are entirely dependent on remote network connections.
Q: What actions is Telstra taking to resolve these problems?
A: Telstra is collaborating with OneWeb to deploy more LEO satellites and has enhanced its infrastructure by upgrading payphones and utilizing Starlink kits for emergency responses.
Q: Are there new regulations to address these outages?
A: Yes, since June 2025, carriers are required to report significant local outages. Telstra is complying with these regulations, concentrating on areas lacking alternative service providers.
Q: How long do the outages last on average?
A: The outages typically render mobile base stations unavailable for about 30 to 35 minutes each day, impacting the ability to make calls.
Q: Has there been any progress in diminishing these outages?
A: Yes, since mid-2025, Telstra has observed a decrease in outages as more satellites are deployed to enhance coverage.
