Satellite Connectivity: What is it and why it is important for your phone

Imagine this: You’re setting out on an adventure into the wilderness, miles away from the nearest cell tower when suddenly things go south. Or you’re in an area hit by a natural disaster where the usual phone networks are down. That’s when your smartphone with satellite connectivity, becomes more than just a phone; it turns into your lifeline, a light in the dark, when everything else fails.

What is Satellite Connectivity?

Satellite connectivity allows your smartphone to communicate directly with satellites in Earth’s orbit when you’re out of the reach of cell networks.

Think of it like this: when you’re too far out for your phone to catch any signal, satellite connectivity kicks in. Your phone turns into a tiny satellite station all on its own. It will send your messages or calls to a satellite way up in space, and that satellite passes it along, keeping you connected when you’re literally off the grid.

How Does It Work?

When you’re in an area with no cellular service, your smartphone can switch to satellite mode. Here’s what happens:

• Direct Connection: Your phone sends a signal directly up to a satellite in the sky. This means you need to have a good view of the sky – no tall buildings or dense forests in the way. That’s why this tech is a real game-changer when you’re out in the wide open, far from civilization.
• Signal Relay: Once your phone’s signal reaches the satellite, it gets bounced back down to a ground station. This station is like a bridge; it links up with the regular phone network or the internet. So, you can send a text or, in some cases, even make calls.

Eligible Devices

As of now, not all smartphones support satellite connectivity. The following smartphones are known to support satellite connectivity:

Apple iPhone Series:

• iPhone 14 and later models (including all variants like Pro and Pro Max). These models support emergency SOS via satellite.

Huawei:

• Huawei Mate 60 Pro, which allows for satellite calls.

Samsung:

• There are no officially confirmed Galaxy devices eligible for this feature. Samsung is currently working on adding satellite connectivity, potentially starting with the Galaxy S25, as per reports.

Google Pixel:

• Google Pixel 9 supports satellite connectivity, known as Satellite SOS. This Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold support this.

Android Devices with Specific Chipsets:

• Devices equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and possibly later versions were expected to offer two-way satellite messaging.

Features

• Emergency SOS: It allows users to send distress signals or share location with emergency services.
• Text Messaging: Beyond emergencies, some services allow for regular text messaging, though this might come with a subscription or per-message fee after an initial free period.
• Subscription Models: Initially, Apple offers emergency services for free, but for broader use, like messaging or data, there could be charges. The US network carrier, T-Mobile, is looking into how they can mix this satellite magic into their regular plans.

Wider Rollout:

The rollout is in progress, with companies like Apple, Google, and SpaceX’s Starlink working to make this technology more accessible. Starlink’s partnership with T-Mobile hints at a future where even data services could be available, turning remote dead zones into areas of connectivity.

Satellite connectivity in phones isn’t just cool tech; it’s a big step towards making sure everyone can communicate, no matter where they are. As it gets better, expect it to be cheaper, in more phones, and easier to use. Right now, it’s great for emergencies, but soon, you might be able to chat or send messages from anywhere on Earth, even in the most remote places.