What is satellite communication in mobile phones?

Satellite communication is a great novelty that manufacturers are rushing to introduce into smartphones. With the recent arrival of the iPhone 14, along with other great news or the Huawei Mate 50, we have been able to see a new spec – satellite connection.

And this is what the use of satellites to connect a smartphone to the network already changing the rules of the gameoffering the ability to clear blind spots around the world and ensure you’re always connected.

This type of connection it is not a simple system used for everyday needs. When things go wrong and you need to make a phone call, satellite-enabled devices can even be life-saving.

Below we will tell you all about the so-called satellite communications today, how it works and what benefits it can bring to the world of mobile telephony.

• What is satellite communication in mobile phones?
• Why is satellite communications important?
• Everyone is talking about smartphones and satellites. Companies already working on this connection
• Who will provide the satellites?

What is satellite communication in mobile phones?

Satellite connection is the process of communication through signals that bounce off satellites in low-orbiting space rather than cell towers. The operation is not much different from telephone communication.

However, since repeaters are not located on the ground, but in the atmosphere above the planet, it is clear that the level of interference is usually lower.

Using the strategic location of each satellite, you can create a network that provides clear signal transmission around the world, even in conditions where it was previously impossible to make a call.

In a few words, what this satellite connection will allow is increase the safety of the most isolated people to the point of not only having a faster connection, but also allowing the unconnected to connect. This type of communication is useful in emergency situations.

Networks are represented by some names that we can recognize, for example Inmarsat, Thuraya or Iridium, with a combination of geostationary (for the first two) or low-orbit (for the second) satellite systems. We have already talked about GEO in another report, the link to which we leave here.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) may be more commonplace lately because that’s how SpaceX Starlink works.

Why is satellite communications important?

At present, the mobile communication network relies on a terrestrial connection. Your phone connects to a cell tower or base station using radio waves, and that tower is often physically connected to the infrastructure to send that data where it’s needed.

Typically, you’ll be connected to multiple cell towers at the same time, giving you consistent coverage as you move from place to place, but the system relies on one thing: you need a terrestrial connection to work.

This is where the big problem comes in: remote places such as high seas, flight or unrelated areas, for example. You are at a dead end and this problem can only be solved if there is some way to establish a connection there.

Satellites solve this problem eliminating the need for terrestrial communications. if you are telephone it can connect to something in the sky, you solve the problem of not having physical infrastructure on earth, but then you need that infrastructure in the sky.

Highlight it Satellite phones already exist. Let’s just remember that image of mobile phones with a large antenna. However, they are often expensive, designed to work in remote areas, and do not support the normal everyday features that we also need.

Everyone is talking about smartphones and satellites. Companies already working on this connection

There has been more and more talk about phones and satellites lately as several major companies have begun the race to adopt the technology.

First of all, we have a partnership between T-Mobile and SpaceX to provide 100% coverage in the US, which will allow T-Mobile customers to access the network no matter where they are, even in remote locations.

The company’s Coverage Above and Beyond service plans to launch satellites that will allow connectivity in rural areas without connectivity, though it won’t launch until the end of 2023. This will initially allow you to access messaging, MMS, and some messaging applications, and later enable wireless internet.

Secondly, what they have already announced that the iPhone will bring 14 and that we finally saw how true it was. For your new satellite emergency service called Emergency SOS, Mansana has developed a new hardware and specialized software that allows you to establish a direct connection between iPhoneand a satellite that constantly revolves around the earth.

Of course, for the iPhone 14 it is necessary to have a direct connection to the satellite, which means that we must be in the open air or take the mobile phone out of the window if we are inside the building. On the other hand, they are talking about a rather slow connection, so only SMS will be allowed, although Sending may take more than 15 seconds.

On the other hand, we also have a new huawei Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro, which also have a satellite connection.

Finally we have Google’s suggestion that this feature may come in the next Android version (Android 14)and may appear as early as 2023.. Google is expected to unveil the next big mobile operating system, or Android 14, at the upcoming Google I/O event in the first half of next year, where the feature could debut.

While Google plans to release the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro next month, there’s a small chance the feature will arrive. However, not only Pixel devices will benefit from this technology, but other brands such as Samsung with Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi or Oppo, although this will certainly be a problem.

In its turn, MediaTek has shown that it works with NTN (National Telecommunications Network) using existing 5G equipment and other names such as Qualcomm, Ericsson and Thales are also involved in the investigation, so it’s just a matter of a very short time.

Who will provide the satellites?

As we half mentioned above, Starlink is ready to provide T-Mobile service in the US. And given that Starlink aims to achieve global coverage with its satellite service, it would be reasonable to assume that agreements could be reached with other network providers in other regions to offer a similar service.

Company globalstarfor its part, provides this connection with new terminals Manzana. And it’s that it’s an American satellite communications company that has 24 LEO satellites.

Of course, it won’t stop there and other providers will provide these services. Much of this will depend on what the satellite can deliver with this technology, as it relates to hardware and trade deals.

3GPP, a grouping of telecommunications associations, has stated that The standard is expected to be formalized by 2022, with “full-scale” commercial products expected by 2024.

Of course, this type of connection has come a long way in the last couple of years, becoming faster, more reliable, and easier to use. This technology has also become a little more accessible, as we can already see.