Navigating satellite connectivity on smartphones: How it operates and benefits
Delhi : On September 6 of last year, Huawei, not Apple, became the first company to offer satellite connectivity on a widely used smartphone. The Cupertino business unveiled this new technology with the iPhone 14 series a day later, on September 7. Even in the absence of cellular signal reception, satellite connectivity enables a phone to connect to a low-orbit satellite and send an SOS message.
More phones will soon have the crucial satellite communication feature. It has been made compatible with Android 14 by Google, and there are reports that Qualcomm would enable it on Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi's products. It is crucial that you understand what satellite communication is and how it functions since it is obvious that it could be the next big thing in mobile technology.
What is Satellite connectivity on modern phones?
If you're anything like us, you've probably seen those dated satellite phones with the protruding antennas. Instead of using terrestrial cell sites like a typical cell phone, a satellite phone uses a radio link to connect to other phones or the telephone network. They can thus be beneficial even in the most isolated places.
Since most of us do not have the option of carrying a satellite phone in our pockets, manufacturers are pushing the technology on current smartphones—and yes, without any discernible antennas. However, as of now, voice calls cannot be made using satellite technology; only text messages can be sent. In addition, certain technical specifications must be met before this feature may be added to cellphones. The feature will depend on the modem hardware in the device you are using, as Mishaal Rahmaan points out.
If you're unsure how this feature can benefit you, consider the following: Consider that you decide to travel to a faraway part of the world since you are feeling adventurous. When you arrive, you discover that you are out of cell tower range. God forbid you encounter a crisis and are unable to contact someone. This issue can be resolved by your phone using satellite communication, which can maintain a connection even in the absence of a terrestrial network. Numerous instances of how satellite SOS technology has prevented fatalities have already been reported, the most recent of which involved a family that utilized this function to flee the Hawaii wildfires.
How do cellphones use satellite connectivity?
Smartphone manufacturers must tightly integrate hardware and software to support satellite connectivity. Antennas can link to a satellite directly thanks to the hardware and software that are extensively integrated in the Apple iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models.
A satellite communications business called Globalstar, which runs a constellation of 48 low-orbit satellites, has teamed with Apple. Apple created a special compression method that reduces text messages to a third of their initial size in order to relay emergency notifications via satellite. One of Globalstar's satellites in low-Earth orbit, which travels at speeds of about 16,000 mph, picks up the emergency message. The message is then transmitted from the satellite to ground stations throughout the world that are strategically placed.
The global BeiDou satellite network of China enables the Huawei Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro smartphones to send and receive short texts and perform navigation. The Mate 50 phones, according to Huawei's description of the system, can only send texts via satellite; they cannot receive them. It's possible that the technology will be applied differently in upcoming phones. They might even deliver connectivity for phone and data.
What does the future hold?
This functionality might be available on several Android manufacturers' next flagship devices. Phone manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Motorola, Nothing, and Honor are prepared to provide satellite communication capabilities to their devices, according to a Qualcomm announcement at the Mobile World Congress (MWC). However, there are currently no specifics available.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, Qualcomm revealed its Snapdragon Satellite technology in collaboration with satellite service provider Iridium. Similar to what we have seen on iPhones, it will enable Android smartphones to exchange two-way text messages and access other messaging apps utilizing satellites in emergency scenarios.
Additionally, a new story claims Google intends to upgrade Messages to include satellite connectivity (via Mishaal Rahmaan). The user interface (UI) components needed to send SOS messages in an emergency via satellite appear to be being added by the search engine giant to its Messages app. Given that Google recently revealed that Android 14 will enable satellite connectivity, it shouldn't come as a surprise.
Additionally, T-Mobile revealed its own collaboration with SpaceX to use Starlink satellites to deliver satellite connectivity to smartphones. In February 2023, MediaTek entered the battle as well and debuted two chipsets that permit two-way satellite communication for smartphones. Not to mention the since last year-old speculations regarding satellite connectivity on next Samsung flagships. The newest technology for smartphones is satellite connectivity.
There's no denying that smartphone satellite communication has the potential to significantly affect our lives. The promise of constant, extensive connectivity has the potential to transform the game, particularly when lives are on the line. Clearly, this transforms smartphone satellite communication from a luxury to a potential savior.
