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<\/a>Iridium\u2019s LEO constellation and geostationary satellites of another operator. Illustration from iridium.com<\/p><\/div>\n
The satellites communicate with a phone in the relatively low-frequency L band<\/a> (1.5\u20132 GHz). GPS and GLONASS satellites, which orbit at around 20,000 kilometers above Earth, operate in the same frequency range. The advantages of this range are low levels of both signal decay over long distances and weather interference. Thanks to this, the satellite can \u201chear\u201d the phone\u2019s weak transmitter. The main disadvantage is a low data-transfer rate. That\u2019s why all satellite-based services we\u2019re discussing today basically rely on the SMS format: 140 characters per message, and not a selfie in sight.<\/p>\n To support satellite communication, three things are required from the phone: modem support for the satellite network radio protocol, a modified antenna, and special software. The trickiest is the first of these, because such a modem needs to not only be produced in the first place, but also coordinated with the satellite operator. Not surprisingly, the leader of the pack is Qualcomm, which not only dominates the mobile chipset market, but also has nearly 30 years of experience in satellite systems (after having jointly founded the Globalstar network in 1994). Therefore, the first large-scale launch of satellite telephone communication was made possible by Qualcomm\u2019s knowhow and Apple\u2019s financial muscle. The latter paid for the feature to be implemented in the new iPhone chips, and, more significantly, invested a solid US$450 million in the development of the Globalstar network, its satellites and ground stations.<\/p>\n Apple was the first to enter the market, but for sure won\u2019t remain the monopolist. At the same time, Qualcomm has implemented the feature in its Snapdragon X70 modem chip, which is part of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform. The Snapdragon Satellite service was announced in partnership with the Iridium network, so in H2 2023 we can expect (expensive) smartphones capable of sending and receiving text messages via satellite.<\/p>\n Other players are scrambling aboard too: Huawei plans to provide a similar service in its smartphones using China\u2019s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (although there are no details on the timing or coverage); Motorola is partnering up with the Skylo (Inmarsat) satellite provider; and the above-mentioned Starlink has entered into an agreement with U.S. operator T-Mobile to co-deploy such a service on T-Mobile\u2019s licensed 1.9 GHz bands.<\/p>\n For future 5G devices, the ability to communicate with satellite base stations instead of ground ones is already standardized<\/a>. But actual devices with such functionality are set to appear no earlier than 2024.\n<\/p>\n \nThe technology imposes its own limitations, which will be the same whoever makes the phone.<\/p>\n First, it\u2019s certainly slower and less reliable than cellular communication. Thus, the phone will offer the satellite option only if there\u2019s no other connection available, and with major restrictions so as not to overload the network: one 140-character text and no multimedia \u2014 in emergencies, for example. Apple demonstrates this very clearly: first, the phone determines the precise location and asks for a few details about the situation, then it integrates the collected information and sends it as one packet.<\/p>\n Collecting information and sending an emergency message by iPhone. Illustration from apple.com<\/p><\/div>\n Second, the satellite link only works in open spaces. There\u2019s no linkage in thick forest, dense urban areas, or rocky gorges.<\/p>\n Third, sending a text isn\u2019t as simple as we\u2019re used to. You need to: hold the phone in front of you, turn in the right direction, follow the on-screen instructions, and then wait 10\u201360 seconds until the hundreds of bytes are sent and received.<\/p>\n Instructions for connecting to a satellite with an iPhone. Illustration from apple.com<\/p><\/div>\n Fourth, depending on the satellite provider, the service may not be available in certain regions. This is perhaps the biggest drawback at present \u2014 the lack of a developed market for either satellite communications or roaming. As such, both Globalstar and Apple offer Emergency SOS in the U.S., southern Canada, and some countries in Western Europe. Satellites do not generally serve high latitudes (above the 62nd<\/sup> parallel), which leaves Alaska and northern Canada, for example, out of reach. The situation with Iridium is better: its satellites work both at the equator and the two poles. The only thing missing is compatible Android terminals from Qualcomm\u2019s partners. Some satellite constellations have gaps in their coverage, so certain places are not served 24\/7. This is not relevant for Apple and Qualcomm services, but some competitors may show a \u201cPlease try again in half-an-hour\u201d message at the crucial moment.\n<\/p>\n \nNo one has any clear idea yet of how much the service should cost. Clearly, it won\u2019t be mass-market, because most people live inside the regular cellular network coverage area. What the surcharge for emergency communications will be, and in what format, the market will test and determine in the coming years. Apple offers it as a free service, but only for two years after purchasing a new iPhone. What the subscription fee will be after that the company hasn\u2019t announced. But usage will be modest, because Apple is positioning the feature solely as an emergency communication channel. All we know for now (at the time of posting this blogpost) is that Motorola plans to charge US$5 for 30 messages. But these can be any messages \u2014 not just emergency ones.\n<\/p>\nQuality and coverage<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>![\"Instructions](\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/103\/2023\/02\/13195036\/satellite-texts-and-emergency-sos-03-EN.png\")
<\/a>Prices<\/h2>\n
Security<\/h2>\n