MediaTek and the British maker of mobile phones and other electronic devices Bullitt GROUP announced the upcoming release of the first smartphone with full two-way satellite connectivity. It is worth mentioning that Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), e Huawei have already implemented support for satellite communications in their devices. However, this is only used for sending emergency messages and asking for help.
The first smartphone with satellite connectivity will be from MediaTek and Bullitt. Huawei and Apple already use it, but only in emergencies
The announcement states that the satellite-enabled smartphone and related services will be launched in first quarter of 2023. Users will be able to send an SOS signal via satellite communications completely free of charge for one year. Apple already offers owners of the iPhone 14 series two years of a similar service before introducing a subscription. In both cases, i prices have not yet been disclosed.
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Interestingly, Bullitt is the first to use the new chipset MediaTek 3GPP NTN. Proprietary software and service components were also developed in parallel to provide satellite messaging services. Your smartphone with satellite connectivity will switch to satellite communications only when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connection. The company promises it will take approx 10 seconds to connect to a satellite and send a message.
Bullitt is a company that designs and manufactures more or less advanced smartphones under license from Cat and Motorola.
Through | GSMArena