Samsung Announces Its Own Satellite-Based Communication Solution for Smartphones

Tech giant Samsung introduced a satellite-based communication solution for smartphones the other day. The company introduced the 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN) modem to communicate with satellites in places where phones do not have a cellular network connection.

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Preparing for 6G

Samsung aims to integrate the technology into its own Exynos chip, which is used in its smartphones but not in the current flagship Samsung Galaxy S23. Min Goo Kim of Samsung Electronics said in a statement: "This milestone builds on our rich heritage in wireless communication technologies, following the launch of the industry's first commercial 4G LTE modem in 2009 and the industry's first 5G modem in 2018."

With this step, Samsung aims to take the lead in developing hybrid terrestrial-NTN communications ecosystems around the world in preparation for the arrival of 6G. The current generation of satellite communications technology promises only two-way messaging and emergency calling. But the company's new modem technology is set to enable two-way messaging as well as image and video sharing.

The company said its technology complies with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project standards, which means it will "enable interoperability between services offered by global telecom operators, mobile device manufacturers and chip companies." At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last month, the tech giant also announced a partnership with Iridium to bring satellite communications to Android phones powered by Qualcomm, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Samsung has yet to launch satellite technology. But the company's announcement that it plans to incorporate this technology into its Exynos mobile processors is thought to be a move to bring the system to Galaxy smartphones.

First Introduced by Apple

On the other hand, this technology was first introduced by Apple. This technology, first developed by Apple, was first introduced by the company in the US and Canada, then in Germany, France, Ireland and the UK. With this move, Samsung is allegedly following Apple, which launched satellite connectivity with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.

Ben Wood, principal analyst at CCS Insight, told CNBC: "This underscores Apple's huge influence on feature adoption. For new technologies like this, where Apple goes, others will follow."