Iridium Communications Inc. has announced today that Iridium and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. have reached an agreement to offer satellite messaging and emergency services on smartphones running on Snapdragon Mobile Platforms. The Iridium satellite constellation is a support for the new Snapdragon® Satellite solution from Qualcomm Technologies. Emergency messaging powered by Snapdragon Satellite is anticipated to make its debut in premium Android devices introduced in a few locations starting in the second half of 2023.
Iridium and Qualcomm Technologies’ partnership is intended to provide satellite services into a range of smartphone manufacturers rather than just one particular smartphone maker. It may also eventually spread to other consumer electronics.
“While some have been expecting we would be integrating our system into a specific smartphone, what we’ve done is so much bigger,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “Working with a mobile technology leader such as Qualcomm Technologies and their powerful Snapdragon platforms allows Iridium to serve the smartphone industry horizontally – and offers us an opportunity to enable other consumer and vehicular applications in the future. This supports our larger vision of connecting people and things on the move, anywhere!”
Iridium satellite connections can enable comparable applications for vehicles, other IoT devices, and personal consumer electronics in addition to smartphones.
“Qualcomm Technologies is rooted in a vision for engineering human progress and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with premium smartphones and the next generation of connected smart devices across industries.” said Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager, cellular modems and infrastructure, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Snapdragon Satellite is another step in achieving our vision, enabling OEMs and other service providers with global coverage and satellite messaging capabilities.”
Snapdragon Satellite-equipped smartphones will be able to access worldwide coverage, send emergency messages, and text with friends and family from anywhere on the earth with a view of the open sky. About 85% of the world’s surface currently lacks cellular coverage.
Iridium manages the only completely worldwide, weather-resistant satellite constellation in the world, ensuring that users may remain connected even in the most adverse conditions. The business sells its goods through a network of over 450 partners who create Iridium Connected® solutions and serve almost two million clients globally.
References
Hassin, J. (2023, January 5). Iridium and Qualcomm collaborate to support satellite messaging in smartphones. Iridium Satellite Communications. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://investor.iridium.com/2023-01-05-Iridium-and-Qualcomm-Collaborate-to-Support-Satellite-Messaging-in-Smartphones
