Last year, Apple announced an innovative technology called Emergency SOS via satellite in iPhone 14 series that enables users to message with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Additionally, if users want to reassure friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid, they can open the Find My app and share their location via satellite.
To enable satellite communication on Android smartphones, Qualcomm yesterday announced Snapdragon Satellite, the world’s first satellite-based two-way capable messaging solution for premium smartphones. Snapdragon Satellite will be available with devices based on the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform. Snapdragon Satellite makes use of Iridium’s weather-resilient L-band spectrum for uplink and downlink.
Powered by Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and supported by the fully operational Iridium satellite constellation, Snapdragon Satellite will enable OEMs and other service providers to offer truly global coverage.
Beyond smartphones, Snapdragon Satellite can expand to other devices, including laptops, tablets, vehicles and IoT. Snapdragon Satellite will support 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), as NTN satellite infrastructure and constellations become available.
Emergency messaging on Snapdragon Satellite will be available on next-generation smartphones, launched in select regions starting in the second half of 2023.
