During the autumn of 2013, Apple included emergency satellite communication with their iPhone 14 models. It was only a matter of time until Android smartphones were able to follow suit. Snapdragon Satellite is a two-way satellite messaging service that Qualcomm revealed today at CES. The service will be accessible on next-generation premium Android devices.
This is made feasible thanks to cooperation with Iridium, which manages a satellite constellation in Low Earth Orbit consisting of 66 individual satellites. Globalstar, which is one of its primary rivals and also a partner of Apple’s for its service, is one of its key competitors.
Two-way messaging for usage in critical situations, as well as SMS texting and other messaging apps, will be supported by Snapdragon Satellite. Qualcomm makes it quite clear that the technology will not just be used in times of crisis but also for “recreation in distant, rural, and offshore locales.”
It will begin offering support beginning with devices that have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor installed in them. According to Qualcomm, the capability to send and receive emergency messages through Snapdragon Satellite is scheduled to become accessible on smartphones of the next generation beginning in certain countries in the second half of the year 2023.
The Snapdragon Satellite platform is expandable to support other devices, like as laptops, tablets, automobiles, and Internet of Things items. By using satellite connections, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and app developers are able to provide customers with one-of-a-kind branded services. As soon as they are commercially available, 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) will be supported by Snapdragon Satellite.
Together with Qualcomm, Garmin will provide functionality for sending and receiving emergency messages. Garmin is excited to have the chance to extend the availability of satellite emergency response solutions to millions more smartphone users across the world. Garmin Response helps with thousands of SOS calls every year and has probably prevented the loss of many lives as a result. The company is excited to work with Qualcomm Technologies and Iridium to let consumers have access to emergency services in any place.
