With the release of the iPhone 14 models last autumn, Apple included emergency satellite communication, and it was only a matter of time before Android smartphones followed suit. A two-way satellite messaging service called Snapdragon Satellite was introduced by Qualcomm today at CES and would work with “next-generation premium Android smartphones.” This is made feasible by a collaboration with Iridium, which runs a network of 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites. Globalstar, which collaborates with Apple to provide its service, is one of its principal rivals.
SMS texting, various messaging applications, and two-way communications for emergency situations will all be supported by Snapdragon Satellite. According to Qualcomm, it will also be used for “recreation in remote, rural, and offshore regions,” in addition to emergencies. Starting with devices equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it will be supported. According to Qualcomm, next-generation smartphones are “expected to be launched in select locations starting in the second half of 2023” and will support emergency messaging on Snapdragon Satellite.
Other gadgets including laptops, tablets, vehicles, and IoT items can also use Snapdragon Satellite. OEMs and app developers can use satellite connectivity to offer distinctively branded services. As soon as they become available, 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) will be supported by Snapdragon Satellite.
Garmin will collaborate with Qualcomm “with support for emergency messaging”. Brad Trenkle, vice president of Garmin’s outdoor segment, said “Garmin welcomes the opportunity to expand our proven satellite emergency response services to millions of new smartphone users globally. Garmin Response supports thousands of SOS incidents each year and has likely saved many lives in the process, and we are looking forward to collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies and Iridium to help people connect to emergency services no matter where life takes them”.
