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Spark has become the latest telecommunications provider to announce a satellite-to-mobile service, with a trial set for the end of the year.
The company which has partnered with satellite provider Lynk Global will allow some Spark mobile customers to opt into a free trial.
The initial trial will allow text messaging periodically during the day and head towards a more regular service during 2024 as more commercial satellites are deployed, Spark said.
It planned to offer voice and data services in the future, as the services became more reliable.
Spark is the last of the big three telecoms companies to formally announce a satellite-to-mobile service.
Earlier this year, One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone NZ) signed a deal with US space firm SpaceX, while 2degrees partnered with Lynk.
Spark product director Tessa Tierney said satellites have an important role in connecting the country.
"While satellites can't provide 100 percent coverage - as you need a clear line of sight to the sky to get connected - it certainly adds an additional layer of resilience, particularly now, as we face increasingly severe and frequent weather events due to climate change," Tierney said.
"And once there are more satellites launched and the service is available more broadly, it will allow our mobile customers to start to use their phones in more areas that aren't reached by traditional mobile coverage."
Tierney said the technology was still evolving, meaning the service will improve and grow as the number of satellites increases.
"That's why we've chosen to trial this technology with some of our customers first, to make sure we can offer a great product to our customers when we make it widely available."
Spark said more information on who can participate in the trial and specific timings will be announced in the coming months.
It is also waiting for regulatory approval to launch the service.
