Lynk, Vodafone Cook Islands Start Satellite Direct-to-Mobile Phone Service For Subscribers

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Lynk Global Inc (Lynk), the sat2phone telecoms provider, and Vodafone Cook Islands, announced the start of an initial satellite direct-to-mobile phone service to Vodafone Cook Island subscribers using Lynk's "cell-towers-in-space".

According to a statement, Vodafone Cook Islands is the second mobile network operator (MNO) in the world to launch Lynk's sat2phone technology as a subscriber service.

Lynk chief commercial officer, Dan Dooley said the company has been entrusted to deliver initial service for Vodafone Cook Islands, which spans 15 islands and over 1,960,027 square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that comprise the Cook Islands.

“It is a staggering amount of territory, and Lynk is proud to work with Vodafone to connect their subscribers. Our initial Sat2Phone service will start as a beta service in an area called 'Manuae Route' and extend over time.

“Similar to the service we offer to PNCC in Palau, Lynk will also provide backup services that enhance network resilience when natural disasters damage the ground network,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Cook Islands chief executive officer, Phillip Henderson said: “Lynk's service is unique in addressing our need to extend our mobile coverage but without burdensome capex.

“We see our remote communities, our fishers, and visiting yachties making good use of the extra connectivity and coverage that Lynk provides.”

Vodafone is the leading telecommunications services provider in the Cook Islands, offering mobile, broadband, fixed line, and a range of other telecommunications technology-based services and solutions across all inhabited islands.

Lynk's network, currently providing cell broadcast (emergency) alerts and two-way short messaging service (SMS), is compatible with every existing mobile phone on the planet, and will launch voice and mobile broadband services, in the future.

-- BERNAMA