OPT-NC and Lynk complete satellite mobile connectivity test in New Caledonia

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Satellite Networks; 13 July 2026; 206 views

New Caledonian operator OPT-NC has successfully completed its first satellite mobile connectivity test in New Caledonia in partnership with satcoms company Lynk Global.

Lynk specialises in satellite communications in low Earth orbit (LEO). It develops direct-to-device (D2D) services that allow direct connectivity with standard mobile phones, without any modifications. This trial enabled the sending and receiving of SMS messages on a mobile phone in an area without terrestrial mobile coverage.

A mobile phone was able to connect directly to a low-Earth orbit satellite operated by Lynk, enabling the sending and receiving of SMS messages.

This success, says Lynk, confirms the technical feasibility of a satellite-based mobile messaging service in New Caledonia.

It also represents an initial validation step before potentially more advanced phases, particularly those involving mobile data connectivity services.

At this stage, says Lynk, Direct-to-Device remains an emerging technology, and the tested service does not yet offer 24/7 availability. However, coverage is expected to improve gradually with the strengthening of Lynk’s satellite capacity, with full coverage projected for mid-2027.

For OPT-NC, the goal is to prepare a complementary connectivity layer capable of providing coverage in areas without terrestrial coverage, during emergencies, or in times of crisis.

This approach also paves the way for new synergies with satellite operators to identify the best use cases for New Caledonia, assess the technical and regulatory conditions for integration, and ultimately strengthen the resilience of communications in the territory.

Following this successful initial test, OPT-NC will continue its work with Lynk Global at the end of 2026. A new phase of testing is planned, focusing on mobile data transmission via satellite.

Lynk’s satellites operate on the 900MHz band, recently freed up following the shutdown of 2G. In the absence of OPT-NC’s terrestrial network coverage, a mobile phone can receive the satellite signal directly, thus maintaining a communication channel. In the event of dual coverage, the OPT-NC network takes priority over Lynk’s.

The partnership between OPT-NC and Lynk is based on a roaming agreement, eliminating the need for dedicated ground stations and significantly simplifying service implementation.