Snapdragon Satellite: Qualcomm launches satellite emergency call and SMS for Android

Apple led the way with the iPhone 14 generation, and now Android smartphones will soon be able to communicate via satellite thanks to Snapdragon Satellite. In addition to emergency calls, it should also be possible to send and receive text messages when no mobile network is available.

Snapdragon Satellite launches on Android smartphones

At CES 2023, Qualcomm unveiled Snapdragon Satellite, a new satellite connectivity standard developed in partnership with operator Iridum. The basic idea here is the same as Apple’s iPhone 14 generation:

If no mobile network is available to you, Android smartphones are supposed to be able to make emergency calls thanks to Snapdragon Satellite. However, Qualcomm’s solution goes beyond that and offers the possibility to send SMS messages to family members or friends, for example.

However, a prerequisite for using the satellite network is current Android smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s high-end SoC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – which is expected to be used in most flagships in model year 2023. This is because the Snapdragon X70 5G modem, which enables communication via the corresponding L-band, is already integrated only here.

However, it is conceivable that the manufacturer will also install the required 5G modem in mid-range or entry-level chips in the course of the year. In any case, Garmin serves as a partner for satellite communication and offers a corresponding emergency call service with Garmin Response.

The Snapdragon Satellite also only uses the service when the user is in remote locations where there is no cellular reception. A clear view of the sky is of course also mandatory in this case.

Extremely fast connection

According to Qualcomm, Snapdragon Satellite should be able to connect to the satellite network faster than Apple’s solution, for example. Instead of several minutes in some cases, the manufacturer speaks of a connection setup within a few seconds. At the same time, the network is supposed to have capacities for several million users at the same time.

Price and availability

However, the use of Snapdragon Satellite will not be free of charge. Details on pricing were left open by supplier Qualcomm in the announcement, however. A rough start date for satellite communication is the second quarter of 2023.