Qualcomm has announced Snapdragon Satellite, a new satellite messaging technology that it plans to bring to high-end Android smartphones later this year.
The service will be available to Android smartphone manufacturers (OEMs) initially for emergency text messaging purposes, Qualcomm said, and availability will depend on which OEMs and local mobile service providers support it.
Qualcomm’s latest high-end mobile chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, can run the service, although it appears currently announced phones with the chip won’t be able to access it. These phones include the iQoo 11 and OnePlus 11. Tech Advisor asked Qualcomm to clarify this particular point.
Although initially limited to emergency communications directly with emergency services, the technology will eventually support two-way messaging, a world first for a satellite-based method, according to the company.
This leaves open the possibility that people in the future can send and receive messages without being connected to a traditional mobile network.
Qualcomm has partnered with global satellite company Iridium to build Snapdragon Satellite. Iridium has 66 satellites in orbit which it says can provide coverage to all parts of the globe.
Garmin is also involved in the deal to help provide emergency communications support.
The Snapdragon Satellite service can be tied to a person’s phone number, and Qualcomm expects phones configured to use the technology to start shipping in the second half of 2023.
Qualcomm
Much like the satellite communication technology already built into the Huawei Mate 50 Pro and Apple iPhone 14, Snapdragon Satellite is primarily designed for emergency communications when the person and phone in need are out of sight. cellular service areas.
Apple offers its Satellite SOS service free for two years after customers activate the iPhone, but the price after that is still unknown. A Qualcomm spokesperson told Tech Advisor at a press conference that Snapdragon Satellite prices will be reduced for OEMs and service providers.
It works when the user points their phone skyward while an on-screen instruction shows them exactly where to point to a satellite to send a message.
Qualcomm vice president of product management Francesco Grilli said the technology could be integrated into popular SMS messaging apps, but only if and when person-to-person messaging has been integrated into a service that uses the Snapdragon Satellite network.
“Most likely in the beginning, if it is only an emergency, it will be an emergency-only standalone application, but it should be integrated into the user interface so that the user does not have not to call the emergency application.
“The premise is that if you dial 911 or 112 and you’re out of range, the UI itself will ask, ‘Do you want to send an emergency message instead?'”
Qualcomm/Iridium
Phones in North America and Europe are expected to get the technology first, though Grilli said those devices could access Snapdragon Satellite from anywhere in the world unless a country has it. blocked.
“The Iridium satellite system has been operating for 25 years continuously…and it is very likely to operate for the foreseeable future,” he said.
“The service is available as soon as the device is available…as soon as the functionality is implemented in the device.”
Snapdragon Satellite works by sending pings to satellites above Earth which, importantly, do not require ground stations on Earth to triangulate the signal and send and receive messages. Instead, Iridium satellites relay data to each other.
Qualcomm also said Snapdragon Satellite could be used in laptops, tablets, vehicles and other Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices.
