Roadside Assistance via Satellite Expands to Australia

[MacRumors]

Roadside Assistance via Satellite is now available in Australia, allowing Australian iPhone users to get help if their car breaks down in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

According to Apple, Roadside Assistance via Satellite can be used in Australia to get help from NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT, and AANT.

Using the feature requires an iPhone 14 or later with satellite capabilities, and iOS 18.4 or later. There continues to be no charge for Apple's satellite services, though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.

Both Australians and international travelers who visit Australia are able to use the Roadside Assistance feature.

Prior to now, Roadside Assistance via Satellite was limited to the United States and United Kingdom. Apple says that it is working to bring the functionality to additional regions.

Article Link: Roadside Assistance via Satellite Expands to Australia

 

[Radeon85]

Considering how large Australia is, I'm surprised it wasn't there already. Sod all coverage in the outback looking at their coverage map, so this should be great for a backup.

 

[Qountdown]

''though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.''

Did that really need clarifying? lol

 

[DENZIE]

would have been great during our year off doing the 30,000km lap. Next time.

 

[kirky29]

That would have been pretty handy for me a few years ago when I travelled for a few years! I broke down not far from Wolf Creek (Yes, that Wolf Creek) and another time a couple of hours away from Alice Springs. Fun times 🤣

 

[actcyclist]

You still should take a satellite phone if travelling in the outback. This is helpful for the odd area, closer to a town, that doesn’t have mobile coverage though

 

[coolfactor]

That would have been pretty handy for me a few years ago when I travelled for a few years! I broke down not far from Wolf Creek (Yes, that Wolf Creek) and another time a couple of hours away from Alice Springs. Fun times 🤣

I'm sad that Season 2 started an entirely different storyline. How does he keep getting away?

 

[Rockondevil]

This is a welcome addition as when we travel from our city to our families we often go through areas without signal.
Haven't had the situation yet when it would be required, but better to have it and not need it.

 

[ZipZilla]

Stuff like this saves people's lives. Good on Apple

 

[retroneo]

But no iMessage over satellite still

 

[TastyFineWine]

I hope this feature soon arrives in New Zealand. We in NZ may not have the tyranny of distance that Australia has, but we have loads of back block country roads and dirt tracks through gullies and valleys and very rough terrain where there is absolutely no hope of a normal signal getting into.

 

[insomniac86]

But no iMessage over satellite still

Yeah, I hope that arrives sooner rather than later. Telstra offer an alternative solution via their new Starlink partnership. iMessage sends directly over the standard reception, but that being Starlink. Only SMS works, no data or voice.

 

[svish]

Good to see it in another country. Think it will take a long time, if ever it is going to come to my country.

 

[aussie-reader]

''though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.''

Did that really need clarifying? lol

That would probably be a "Yes" so people do not assume it would be free to all.

In Australia several of the services provided by satellite would usually be free to Australians. The Roadside Assistance would probably also be free (up to certain limits) if you are a member of any one of the organisations listed as they have sharing arrangements in place. If you are not a member then you may have to pay depending upon where you are needing help.

Travel insurance should cover most of the fees for non Australians again up to the limits of the policy.

There are also free regional services, for example if they are in the area that I manage all services provided are free 24x7 to everybody from anywhere as there is a high risk to people who become stranded for whatever reason and we do not want the issue of a future bill to stop them calling for help. We do accept donations though ...