How Does a Satellite Connection in Smartphones Work?
Reading Time: 4 minutesSatellite connections for smartphones could become mainstream in the near future. Learn how this works and if you need the feature.
After the iPhone 14 line was announced with satellite connection support, a number of carriers and manufacturers are said to be working on similar features. T-Mobile (partnering with SpaceX) and Bullitt (which manufactures rugged phones), partnering with chipmaker MediaTek, are officially in the game. Samsung, according to rumors, could also bring the tech to its Galaxy S23 devices next year.
But how does satellite connection work in smartphones? Read on to see if this is a must-have for you or just another unnecessary gimmick.
Is Satellite Connection on Phones Something New?
Not really. Satellite phones have been around for decades; we’ve covered the best satellite phones in the past. They offer a way to place calls and send messages where mobile coverage is an issue—open seas, high mountains, rural areas, and so on.
This kind of device is limited, though. Services are also expensive: it costs a lot to keep all those satellites in orbit. Since connection speeds aren’t good (and, because the signal needs to travel to space and back twice, very laggy), they’re mostly unusable for smartphone needs.
Therefore, for the most part, satellite connection on phones isn’t something widely adopted. Elon Musk’s Starlink partially solved some of the issues—connection speeds are good, though latency and prices are still on the high side—but its coverage is limited as of now.
How Satellite Connections Differ From Regular Cell Phone Coverage
The difference is quite simple, actually. While regular mobile service connects the device to a radio tower, which is wired to the existing internet and phone networks, in the satellite connection the equivalent to the tower is in orbit around Earth.
In both cases, the phone sends wireless signals in different frequencies (depending on the connection type), which are received by the station and then retransmitted (wired or wirelessly) until it reaches the destination (be it an internet service’s server, or the other party in a call). When the destination responds, the signal travels the other way around.
Since satellites are in space, they can receive incoming connections from locations where cell phone towers are not available for any reason. Depending on the satellite type (low-Earth, which orbits a few hundred miles above ground, or geosynchronous, that are thousands of miles from the planet’s surface), they have specific pros and cons.
While low-Earth satellites are smaller, thus requiring smaller antennae, they cover a limited area, and more of those are needed for a provider to ensure a good connection. Also, they need a direct line of sight to work reliably, and the signal is only good outdoors. Latency on these networks is lower, though, and plans are less expensive.
Geosynchronous satellites, on the other hand, need larger phones to connect, and both the devices and the fees cost more. They cover a far larger area and don’t need a direct line of sight for the calls and messages to go through. Other cons are longer latency, because of the higher distance, and that they don’t work near the Earth’s poles.
How Satellite Connection in the iPhones Work
Starting with Apple’s iPhone 14 line, satellite connection for smartphones is a thing. It doesn’t mean one can watch TikTok videos in Point Nemo, though: as with their dumb phone counterparts, the use cases are very limited.
Using Emergency SOS on an iPhone via satellite services is meant for emergencies only. They have a few preset messages, which are sent along with GPS coordinates, to rescue services. The location sharing is one-way: you can see that your call for help was received, but won’t know how close first responders are.
Apple’s solution was initially available only in the US and Canada; in December 2022 it also arrived in the UK, France, Germany, and Ireland. It works using a Qualcomm modem, which isn’t new on iPhones, and some custom hardware to have a strong connection. It uses Globalstar’s satellites, which have a fairly limited coverage area.
Smartphone Satellite Connection From Other Companies
Aside from Apple, what are other companies doing in the satellite sphere?
T-Mobile and Starlink
A few weeks before the iPhone 14 line was launched, the US-based carrier T-Mobile and rocket company SpaceX announced a partnership. The goal is to ‘end mobile dead zones’ using Starlink’s satellite internet, according to T-Mo’s CEO. Beta trials should start in 2023.
The companies plan something different for their service, though. Firstly, they want to enable two-way SMS, MMS, and some messaging apps from day one, with calls and wider internet connection coming at a later date.
Also, the service will be free for most of current T-Mobile’s plan portfolio. The lower tier ones will need to pay for it separately, though the carrier promises fees much lower than those of traditional satellite connections. Apple’s offering, on the other hand, is ‘free for the first two years’, and nobody knows how much it’ll cost when the company starts charging for it.
Bullitt and MediaTek
Bullitt is a British smartphone manufacturer known for its rugged devices, such as Cat phones and the 2021 version of the Motorola Defy. Last month, it announced a partnership with chipmaker MediaTek to launch a ‘satellite-to-mobile messaging smartphone’.
Being a company that sells devices meant for extreme situations, it isn’t at all unexpected of Bullitt to have made that move. A large part of its customer base is made of businesses and professionals working on conditions that possibly include low to no mobile coverage.
Bullitt’s and MediaTek’s device is said to connect to the satellite network in less than 10 seconds and allow users to exchange messages with people on regular mobile networks. Pricing wasn’t detailed, but it should arrive in Q1 2023 and have free messages for a year.
Samsung
Right now it’s just a rumor, so we won’t go too deep into this one. Samsung is said to be working with satellite carrier Iridium to bring its connection to the Galaxy S23 line.
The main difference from the iPhones will be the constellation size: Apple partners with Globalstar, which only has 24 satellites. Iridium has 66, meaning stronger and wider coverage.
Samsung’s plan reportedly involves two-way text messages and small-sized images, but there is no information on pricing yet. The next generation of Samsung Galaxy phones is expected to launch in February next year.
Satellite Smartphones Are a Thing, Just Not for Everyone
Wrapping up, it’s clear that satellite connection for smartphones will become more common in the next few years. Apple sells tens of millions of iPhones each generation, and its 2022 offering already has this tech embedded. Samsung, T-Mobile, and other big players joining the party means that’s just the beginning.
This type of connection is not meant for everyone, though. Use cases are way too specific, and most people are just fine with their current LTE and 5G devices.
If you do fit into the target audience, on the other hand, there are reasons to celebrate. Sailors, hikers, scientists in remote areas, farmers, and the military are just some of the people who will benefit from satellite on smartphones.