Telco One NZ has opened up satellite texting to customers north of Hamilton as Cyclone Tam's taken out power for some cell sites

One New Zealand said it has opened up access to its SpaceX Starlink based satellite short messaging service (SMS), allowing customers to send texts if they can connect to it.

Phones will need to support the satellite service. See the media release below for details and links for more information, in case you have data access.

With impacts from Cyclone Tam being felt around the country, and particularly in Northland and Auckland currently, One NZ is opening its One NZ Satellite service to more customers located north of Hamilton. 

Due to the storm and power outages, some mobile cell sites are not operating in the North. While all One NZ cell sites have battery back-up, some mobile services are limited. 

The One NZ Satellite service delivered in partnership with SpaceX enables One NZ customers with a VoLTE-capable roaming device the ability to send and receive text messages.  

This means most 4G and all 5G phones can access basic messaging (SMS), and you check your device eligibility here: https://one.nz/our-networks/volte/ 

Joe Goddard, One NZ Enterprise & Commercial Director, says: “This satellite-based text service offers another communication channel and will enable more One NZ customers to send or receive basic text messages during the storm 

“This means they could text a loved one and ask them to call 111 or emergency services if needed, and if they are in an area where traditional mobile or connectivity networks are disrupted.  

“We urge New Zealanders to charge your phones now, and be prepared in case the weather situation gets worse.” 

Customers will know if they have connected to One NZ Satellite Service, as the network banner will show ‘One NZ SpaceX’. 

For more information about the service, please visit: https://one.nz/why-choose-us/satellite/  

The chief executive of the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum, Paul Brislen, said some 50-ish cell towers are down in Northland, with a further 50 on batteries and generators currently.

"There is no damage to the networks - fixed or mobile - at this point. All the outages are due to power loss," Brislen added.

Northpower provided an update on the power situation in their area:

"Severe winds have caused major damage to the Northpower network, and our crews are working hard to restore supply as soon as it’s safe.

If you’re currently without power, expect to remain off most of today and possibly overnight. In harder-hit areas, restoration may take 2–3 days."

As of writing, Far North electricity supplier Top Energy's outage map show multiple supply disruption incidents:

Chorus is also showing outages in the North:

Update: Chorus advisory April 17, noon

Chorus is closely monitoring the severe weather event currently impacting parts of the North Island.

The main issue affecting the network is widespread power outages disrupting roadside cabinets. In many cases, services will come back online once local power companies restore electricity. If further repairs are needed, field crews will begin work as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Chorus is prioritising faults that affect multiple customers or involve medical or emergency needs.

Crews are being redeployed into affected - or potentially affected - areas, and we’ve increased field support over the long weekend to help speed up recovery once conditions allow.

Because Chorus' fibre network supports many of New Zealand’s mobile towers, restoring any issues with mobile coverage is our top priority. This helps ensure people can stay connected with emergency services and loved ones when it matters most.

Further updates will be sent later this afternoon