Satellite texting

[Question4u]

Earlier this year, a door-to-door rep came offering internet and cell phone plans to my wife and I. The feature that sealed the deal for us, including turning down extremely competitive offers from our previous provider, was the ability to text through satellite when you leave cell phone coverage area. We were told by the rep that as of January/February of 2025 - the texting through satellite was available, and that he confirmed that he had done it and it worked well. He said by the end of February/early March - calling would be available through the satellites as well. My wife just went to a farming area to visit family with no reception, and she cannot get texts or calls through. We were assured by the rep that our phones were compatible with the service, and that it would just automatically switch when we did not have cell service.

Since it did not work, I used the online chat function to connect with an agent. That agent said they do not have satellite texting or calling, and were unsure when - if ever - they would get it. I am confused. I was guaranteed by the door-to-door rep that the satellite texting worked as he had done it, and it would work for us on our phones. Now I am being told that there is no such feature. Can someone help clear this up for me?

**Labels Updated**

[Question4u]

I'm also hearing from several neighbours that also spoke with the door-to-door rep that they were informed of this feature as well. They are now concerned about not having access to this.

[LordDrakkon]

Rogers was listed as one of the companies to partner with Starlink at one point. Doug Ford targetting Musk might have changed that, although my mother's Starlink internet service is still working fine for her. She lives outside of any cellular service in rural Ontario and there is no high speed internet available in any other way to her home.

AST, the other comoany Verizon and AT&T are looking at in the US are way behind Starlink on a public rollout. Starlink is currently in beta in the US for T-Mobile customers and is provided on band 25. The service should launch in the US in late June or early July of this year.

Edit:  These forums don't allow image attachments in mobile form.

[Question4u]

We're in the prairies, so I don't think that Doug Ford's targetting of anyone would impact us. I connected with the sales rep (door-to-door salesperson) earlier today to confirm again - and he said yes. Satellite texting is active as of now if you are a Roger's customer outside of cell phone coverage in Canada. I then got a call from a complaint/issue resolution person earlier today from Rogers and they hadn't heard of the Satellite texting either. Eventually he did find information on it and that it exists, but he doesn't know much about it or why it's not working.

[LordDrakkon]

My s23 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL are both Starlink compatible. Even when out visiting my mother, who lives at least 20 minutes from any cellular coverage. I have never had the ability to access Starlink from my Rogers lines.

[bowman78]

So how can I test and confirm the function works? I have an s25 ultra doesn't show any sign of having satellite capabilities, on the most recent update.

[Question4u · Accepted solution]

It was confirmed by Rogers after a lot of back and forth that this is not an active service that they have yet. I was mistakenly mis-informed by the salesperson. The complaint eventually got escalated enough that a Rogers representative reached out and offered an apology and compensation for the mix up. I'm not sure if there is an updated timeline for satellite coverage in the near future, but it is not up yet.