Qualcomm: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Android phone with satellite connection will be launched in the second half of this year, first supporting emergency messages.

Thanks to CTOnews.com netizen OC_Formula for the clue delivery! CTOnews.com, January 6 (Xinhua)-- Qualcomm Inc. today announced plans to introduce satellite-based connectivity to next-generation Android smartphones, providing smartphone makers such as Samsung and Google with a way to compete with Apple and iPhone 14 SOS for emergency help through satellite capabilities.

Snapdragon Satellite is a two-way satellite-based messaging solution provided by satellite company Iridium. Snapdragon Satellite provides true global coverage from the South Pole to the North Pole. Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform will have built-in support for messaging using satellite connections, and smartphones using the technology will be available in the second half of 2023.

Qualcomm said the Snapdragon Satellite function will first be used for emergency messages, similar to the satellite emergency call function provided by Apple through a partnership with Globalstar. Qualcomm also mentioned that SMS text messages and connections in remote, rural and offshore locations are possible use cases of Snapdragon Satellite, suggesting that its use may not be limited to emergencies in the future.

CTOnews.com learned that while the Snapdragon Satellite will be launched first in smartphones, Qualcomm says it can also be used in laptops, tablets, cars and Internet of things devices, and that OEMs and application developers can distinguish and offer unique branded services using satellite connections.

Snapdragon Satellite will use the Iridium constellation, which uses L-band spectrum, which Iridium says is "more weather-friendly" than the frequencies used by other networks. Android smartphones with Snapdragon Satellite still need a clear view of the sky to work properly and can send messages in as little as 10 seconds with a stable connection. When NTN satellite infrastructure and satellite constellation systems are in place, Snapdragon Satellite also plans to support 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

In addition to working with Iridium, Qualcomm also plans to cooperate with Garmin to provide emergency response services to users. There is no information on how Iridium, Qualcomm and Android smartphone makers plan to charge customers for satellite access.