Satellite messaging and connectivity was one of the major features introduced with the iPhone 14 devices, and some Android phones have followed suit. Qualcomm was expected to join Snapdragon Satellite, but apparently the idea is now being rejected.
The chipset maker and satellite communications company Iridium have announced that they are ending their agreement to provide satellite-to-phone services. According to a press release from Iridium, the parties successfully developed and demonstrated the technology, but the smartphone makers decided not to include it in their devices, leading Qualcomm to terminate the agreement.
The split does not necessarily mean that satellite connectivity is not available. The Iridium CEO said the industry is moving forward with implementing the technology in consumer devices. Companies like SpaceX, AT&T and T-Mobile are already working on similar projects; for example, T-Mo users can send messages from unreachable places via SpaceX’s Starlink satellites.
Qualcomm said in a statement that smartphone companies will continue to use standards-based solutions. This means that the phone will continue to connect to a cell phone tower, which is then connected to a base station, which in turn receives the signal from a high-orbiting satellite.
Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with the ability to connect to satellites, provided smartphone makers added the necessary antenna hardware. The Snapdragon Satellite was supposed to launch in the second half of this year, but with the suspension of the deal it will definitely not happen.
The San Diego company will continue to work with Iridium on the development of current solutions, while the decision also opens the door for the sat-com company to work directly with manufacturers.
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