Samsung Electronics 5G NTN (non-terrestrial network) modem technology has been successfully demonstrated for direct satellite connection on smartphones. Soon-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy handsets will have this capability built within the Exynos 5300 modem. 5G NTN, like SpaceX’s Starlink, will use low-orbit satellites to provide the internet to places with spotty or no Wi-Fi or cellular service. Samsung, on the other hand, allows for two-way conversation and the capabilities of transmitting photographs and videos, while Apple’s emergency SOS via satellite is restricted to texting and providing position information.
Samsung claims that they were able to do this via the engineering of their Exynos 5300 modem, which provides precise position predictions and reduces the impact of the Doppler effect. As low-orbit satellites and end-users on the ground cause the frequency to shift, weakening the connection and increasing the latency, this effect is common in mobile satellite communication.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Flip 5 may be the first Samsung devices to have satellite connection, while an exact release date is still uncertain. When the service officially launches, Samsung has not said which satellite company it would be collaborating with.
The satellite-based service, however, is being provided by Apple for free for two years with any iPhone 14 model. The United States of America, Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are among the nations that have received this update from Cupertino.
Samsung’s adoption of 5G NTN modem technology on its handsets is a step toward the company’s goal of improving internet connectivity in underserved places. Samsung’s smartphones are equipped with this technology, making it possible for those in rural areas or areas with spotty service to access the internet with ease and convenience. How Samsung’s shift toward satellite connectivity will affect the smartphone market and how it will help those who live or work in locations with spotty internet connection is an intriguing question.
