Everyday mobile calls could soon be made over satellites – such as those launched into space by Elon Musk’s Starlink – within two years, transforming phone use and challenging major telecoms groups like Telstra and Optus.

In November, US regulators gave approval for Mr Musk to provide text messaging, phone calls and internet access directly to mobile phones. The coming change has sent rivals that rely on fixed lines and wireless scrambling to catch up.