Free trial of satellite-to-text service will make back country more accessible to everyday people: expert

A new pilot program involving free satellite cell service will allow more Canadians to explore areas without cell phone service, experts say. CTV News Edmonton'

A free satellite-to-mobile text service is available to all Canadians – on all mobile carriers – through a beta trial that runs until October.

Rogers Communications Inc. announced the new satellite text service last month as part of its partnership with SpaceX and Lynk Global, which will eventually deliver full satellite-to-phone coverage across apps, data and voice service.

The service uses SpaceX’s Starlink low-earth orbit satellites and Rogers’ national wireless spectrum, allowing mobile phones to connect in areas without cell service and stay connected in remote locations and along rural roads.

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Brian Carriere, President of Search and Rescue Alberta, told CTV News Edmonton that the biggest advantage is making texting on your phone more accessible while out in remote locations.

“The easier it is to access, the easier it is for everyday people to use it instead of just adventurers that can afford extra equipment,” Carriere said in a phone interview on Thursday.

“You’re only carrying one device and it doesn’t require specialized subscriptions, which many of the devices that are used for back country safety do.”

He added that cell coverage is “really limited” to major cities and roads in Alberta.

Access to the technology can help with emergency rescue – making it easier for rescuers to locate and narrow searches – and it can help people avoid danger by staying informed on weather and disaster conditions, according to Carriere.

“We also use that same technology to provide medical consultations or directions for keeping (people) safe.”

Carriere said it is a good idea to have a trip plan which outlines your route, schedule, anticipated risks and expected return time.

“When we start searching right away, we find people in much better shape, uninjured and in better condition because they filed a plan,” he explained. “Technology alone will not solve your problem.”

The technology also includes text-to-911 capability, which Carriere adds is key in an emergency.

“Phone, texts or sending someone out to call 911 for you, these all work.”

On the Rogers website, it said some smartphones have features that are “satellite optimized” and other devices do not. The company said it was working to “enable satellite service on both optimized and unoptimized devices” by working with various phone manufacturers.

Registration for the beta trial is offered online directly with Rogers.

Apple also offers a similar and complimentary satellite feature, which iPhone users will be prompted to connect to when Rogers Satellite is not available. With the satellite text technology, you can send messages and texts without access to wi-fi or cellular coverage, according to Apple.

Instructions on how to connect are listed on their support page.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson and The Canadian Press