Iridium, a satellite phone company, has formed a partnership with Qualcomm, a leading chip manufacturer, to provide satellite connectivity to premium Android smartphones in the near future. This will allow individuals to connect with passing satellites to send and receive messages in areas where there is no mobile coverage.
Qualcomm’s chips are prevalent in many Android-powered smartphones. In September 2022, Apple announced plans to include a similar feature in its iPhone 14. However, British smartphone company Bullitt was the first to launch its own satellite service, which is designed for emergency use and will initially be available in select areas.
This new partnership will make satellite connectivity more widely available to smartphone users, regardless of the brand of phone they use. However, it will be up to the individual manufacturers to enable the feature on their devices.
Iridium, the originator of satellite phone systems, launched its first satellite in 1997 and completed a network refresh of its 75 spacecraft in 2019. These satellites cover the entire globe and operate at a low orbit of around 485 miles above the earth. They are able to communicate with each other and pass data between them.
Qualcomm has named this new feature Snapdragon Satellite and initially, it will only be incorporated into its premium chips, and so will not likely be included in budget devices. However, over time, it will be rolled out to other devices, including tablets, laptops, and vehicles, and will also expand beyond emergency communication. It is expected that there may be a fee for this service.
Satellite connectivity is seen as the next step for mobile phones as it addresses the issue of “not-spots,” or areas with no existing coverage, which tend to be more common in rural or remote locations. Satellite broadband, while fast and reliable, is more costly than cable or fiber connections. Use of the satellite feature will be subject to local government regulations, as some countries such as India and China have restrictions on the use of satellite phones.