The collaboration announced by satellite phone company Iridium and chip manufacturer Qualcomm will bring satellite connectivity to top-end Android phones by the end of this year.
The communication technology via satellite, which Apple has developed behind closed doors for a long time, appeared in iPhone 14 models.
Satellite connection allows for uninterrupted communication without cellular connection, by using communication satellites in Earth’s orbit, where phones are not receiving reception.
Android phones will also offer satellite support
The collaboration announced by satellite phone company Iridium and chip manufacturer Qualcomm will bring satellite connectivity to top-end Android phones by the end of this year.
Thus, it will be possible to send and receive messages in emergency situations from places where the phone signal does not receive.
It will be up to Android phone manufacturers to decide whether or not to add this feature to their phones. The Iridium company launched its first satellite phone into space in 1997. The company updated its infrastructure with 75 new satellites in 2019.
Android users will be able to send and receive messages from anywhere in the world via these satellites at an altitude of 780 kilometers.
This feature is expected to be added to tablets, laptops and cars in the coming years.
Elon Musk’s Starlink company similarly offers internet connection service through its satellites.
On the other hand, this feature on Android phones may be restricted by some countries. Because the use of satellite phones is prohibited in countries such as China and India.