Qualcomm, Iridium partner to bring satellite-based messaging to Android phones
05/01/2023 20:33
Jan 5 (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc QCOM.O has partnered
with Iridium Communications Inc IRDM.O to provide a
satellite-based messaging service on premium smartphones running
Google's Android operating system, the chipmaker said on
Thursday.
The partnership comes months after Apple Inc AAPL.O
unveiled a similar feature allowing iPhone 14 models to send
emergency messages via satellite in some countries such as the
United States and Canada. Those phones also contain a Qualcomm
chip that can talk to satellites when there is no Wi-Fi or
cellular data connection.
Qualcomm said on Thursday the new service, Snapdragon
Satellite, will be available in certain regions from the second
half of 2023 starting devices using the second generation
Snapdragon 8 mobile platform.
Snapdragon Satellite can also be enabled on other devices
including laptops, vehicles and tablets, it added, without
specifying if those devices would need any special equipment.
Using Qualcomm's technology messages sent through the
service will reach Iridium's satellite network. They will then
be communicated to the recipient or emergency services.
GPS-based gadget maker Garmin Ltd GRMN.BN will coordinate
emergency response services to users, Qualcomm said.
(Reporting by Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru and Jane Lanhee Lee in
San Francisco; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
((Chavi.Mehta@thomsonreuters.com))