- Samsung has developed its 5G NTN, a technology that allows smartphones to communicate via satellite
- When available, it will allow you to exchange text messages and send photos or videos
- Satellite communication is also part of the novelties of Android 14
Finally, Samsung is embarking on the race for satellites. Unlike the iPhone 14, the Korean giant’s Galaxy S23 does not have a satellite communication system. However, the technology is expected to arrive on future models. Samsung has just announced the technology that will allow it to offer smartphones communicating with satellites.
More specifically, Samsung has developed a 5G NTN (non-terrestrial networks) technology for modems, which will allow direct communication between smartphones and satellites. The next step will be the integration of this technology on the company’s Exynos modem (chips). Chips which should then be integrated into Samsung smartphones, or those of other brands (Samsung also sells components).
Connectivity everywhere
The ambition of the manufacturer is to put an end to the white zones, by deploying this technology which makes it possible to communicate in the mountains, in the desert, or in the middle of the ocean. And unlike the satellite communication of the iPhone 14, which just allows sending SOS in case of emergency and absence of telephone network, that developed by Samsung allows exchanges of text messages (in both directions), but also sending photos and videos.
In essence, Samsung wants to offer more comprehensive communication. As an illustration from the Korean giant explains, the data goes from the smartphone to a satellite, then bounces off a ground station, before arriving on conventional mobile networks, then to the recipient. The company also indicates that its technology meets 3GPP standards, which facilitates compatibility with the services of operators or smartphone manufacturers.
© Samsung
Samsung is in no real hurry
Unfortunately, it is not known when this satellite communication from Samsung will be available. But in any case, the manufacturer does not seem in a hurry. The Galaxy S23 does not have satellite communication, unlike its rival, the iPhone 14. Asked about this, the boss of Samsung’s mobile division told Cnet that this feature will be rolled out at the right time (when the infrastructure and technology will be ready).
In any case, what is certain is that the ability to communicate via satellites, when 5G is not available, will become an essential mobile feature. Like Samsung, Qualcomm (another modem vendor) is also interested in this technology. At CES 2023, he presented Snapdragon Satellite, a technology that allows you to exchange text messages.
Finally, it should be remembered that satellite communication will be, on the software level, supported by Android 14. This has already been announced by Google. And besides, the logo of this new version suggests that it could even be one of the main novelties.
