December 12, 2025 Canadians travelling or working in cellular dead zones now have a new way to stay connected, as Rogers officially launched satellite-to-phone service using SpaceX’s Starlink network. The rollout of the service on Dec. 9 makes Rogers the first carrier in Canada to offer direct satellite connectivity for smartphones.
“We’re proud to be the first and only provider in the country to offer this ground-breaking technology so Canadians can stay connected,” CEO Tony Staffieri said of the service named Rogers Satellite.
The new offering moves the technology out of beta and into a paid tier, expanding access to apps that rely on location, messaging and basic data. Having been tested over the summer with SMS messaging, the service is now adding support for apps such as WhatsApp, Google Maps, AccuWeather, X and CalTopo.
Rogers says app-based satellite data is available starting Dec. 9 on compatible Google Pixel and Samsung phones, with iPhone support coming soon. Pricing begins at CA$15 per month, with a free 12-month period available on select plans.
Beta participants will receive a $5-per-month discount for the first year. Satellite usage draws from a customer’s existing data plan, and the service can be activated as a secondary eSIM, making it available to users on any Canadian carrier.
The launch follows similar moves in the United States, where T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX to release its own paid satellite feature. In a step ahead of T-Mobile, Rogers supports connectivity for devices beyond phones, including Apple Watch. The company also plans to expand into full satellite data, voice and 911 services. At the enterprise level, Rogers is enabling satellite-to-IoT connectivity for sectors such as forestry, mining, transportation and remote asset tracking along highways and rail corridors.
For some Canadians, the technology has already shown its value. Meaghan Oosterhoof, who lives in Ontario and frequently travels through rural Manitoba and remote forestry regions, joined the Rogers pilot this summer. She said the service allowed her to stay in contact during trips through areas with no cellular coverage, including stretches of highway and forest roads. “It’s the reliability of when I’m away — I can still check in with my family, I can still talk to them,” she said.
Rogers reports that more than one million text messages were sent during the beta period, with Algonquin Provincial Park among the highest-use locations. As coverage expands to more apps and eventually full voice services, the company says satellite connectivity is intended to give Canadians a backup option wherever cell service does not reach.
