Economic Times: Qualcomm, MediaTek developing chipsets for Satcom services
Over the next few years,, consumers can expect to use their mobile phones for satellite communications, including for calls, messages and broadband data, as the broadband from-space service gains pace.
Currently, satcom through mobile devices is primarily used for coverage in emergency text messages. However, it’s expected that in a few years, both phone calls and broadband internet will be available with new mobile phones. There are now 5-6 devices available in the market globally, including the iPhone 14 and 15 models, that support satellite connectivity. Going forward, more OEMs are expected to incorporate Satcom technology.
Leading chipmakers Qualcomm and MediaTek said they have already developed chipsets supporting satellite connectivity.
“Right now, it’s catering to the niche market, but we expect that eventually it will cater to the mainstream consumers and businesses,” MediaTek India managing director Anku Jain told Economic Times. MediaTek has adhered to the 3GPP specs for designing satcom chipsets so that there is interoperability in the long run, he said. “For the technology to become mainstream, more and more OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) need to adopt it and we will see how that happens. “From MediaTek point of view, we are ready with the solution,” Jain added.
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“The technology is already there, and we have the chips to support direct-to-device satcom services,” Qualcomm India president Savi Soin told ET.
Asked about the opportunity in India, Soin said while the technology is available, standards are the key. “The question is who will provide the (satellite) constellation and is that constellation compliant with India,” he said. NOTE THAT THERE IS NO CURRENT WORK IN ITU-R TO STANDARDIZE SATCOM SERVICES- ALL THE WORK IS BEING DONE BY 3GPP!
In January, Qualcomm and Iridium entered into an agreement to bring satellite-based connectivity to next-generation premium Android smartphones. Garmin looks forward to collaborating with support for emergency messaging.
If the majority of satellite operators and OEM makers adopt global open standards, there would be better interoperability. But if players adopt propriety standards, it would be difficult to predict how the market would shape up, experts said.
Currently, satellite constellation providers like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, OneWeb, etc. are pushing for their standards and it all depends on how the market evolves as satellite constellations deployment by the satellite internet providers are completed.
–>Please refer to references below.
References:
SatCom market services, ITU-R WP 4G, 3GPP Release 18 and ABI Research Market Forecasts
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