TAMPA, Fla. —Iridium unveiled chip maker Qualcomm Jan. 5 because the accomplice behind plans to attach smartphones to its satellite tv for pc constellation this 12 months.
U.S.-based Qualcomm has developed a product referred to as Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc, which it mentioned will be added to Android smartphones and different units to help two-way communications through Iridium satellites.
Potential makes use of embody emergency SOS companies, SMS texts, and different low-bandwidth messaging functions in areas outdoors terrestrial networks and the place Iridium’s international constellation is licensed to function.
Any emergency messages could be routed by response groups run by Garmin, a GPS know-how specialist and longtime Iridium accomplice.
Jordan Hassin, Iridium’s govt director of communication, acknowledged widespread speculation within the run-up to the announcement about South Korean smartphone maker Samsung being its direct-to-smartphone accomplice.
At one level Iridium was additionally rumored to be working with Apple, which in September introduced a partnership with Iridium’s rival Globalstar for companies currently limited to SOS.
Nonetheless, slightly than partnering with a selected smartphone vendor, Hassin mentioned Iridium selected to workforce up with Qualcomm to allow its know-how in a number of smartphone manufacturers that run Android, the most well-liked working system for cellphones.
Along with supporting {hardware} improvement, Qualcomm has an settlement to promote the service to firms on Iridium’s behalf.
Qualcomm’s chipsets are already generally utilized in Samsung, Motorola, and different smartphone manufacturers worldwide.
To connect with Iridium’s 66-strong constellation in low Earth orbit, smartphone makers would wish to combine the most recent technology of a Qualcomm chipset that’s geared towards premium telephones.
Hassin mentioned “a number of” Android prospects are already integrating Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc, with the primary merchandise anticipated to be launched within the second half of 2023.
In a media briefing, Iridium CEO Matt Desch mentioned it’s nonetheless “being labored out” how and if smartphone prospects could be charged for utilizing its satellite-enabled companies.
Apple has mentioned it’s going to supply satellite-enabled SOS companies on its vary of iPhone 14 smartphones without spending a dime for 2 years.
Francesco Grilli, vice chairman of product administration at Qualcomm Applied sciences, instructed the briefing the corporate efficiently demonstrated Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc Jan. 4 in Las Vegas as a part of the Client Electronics Present (CES).
He mentioned the corporate was in a position to ship fundamental textual content messages in a median of three seconds with a smartphone through the demo.
Whereas the service will initially goal smartphones, the businesses mentioned they’re contemplating increasing to different units, together with laptops, tablets, autos, and small Web of Issues machines.
Desch mentioned the corporate might additionally think about upgrading its capabilities so as to add greater bandwidth companies later, according to different companies which are additionally trying to enter the direct-to-smartphone market.
“We actually have aspirations to go effectively past the place we’re at the moment,” he mentioned.
Along with Apple and Globalstar, different firms in search of to offer direct-to-smartphone companies from LEO embody SpaceX in partnership with T-Cellular, AST SpaceMobile, Lynk International, and Sateliot.
In July, Qualcomm announced plans with Swedish telecoms gear maker Ericsson and French aerospace firm Thales to exhibit 5G on smartphones through LEO satellites.
Nonetheless, Grilli mentioned these plans are nonetheless within the analysis and improvement part, and any industrial companies would require spectrum and tons of of latest satellites to develop into a actuality.
He mentioned it’s unlikely Qualcomm’s enterprise with Ericsson and Thales would “see any product earlier than 2026 on the earliest,” and that’s optimistic.
