[Wawhiker]

Qualcomm partners with Iridium to bring satellite messaging to Android phones - 1/5/2023 For the past several CESes, Qualcomm’s big announcements have largely revolved around automotive news. There will likely still be a fair bit of that this week, as well, but the company just announced an upcoming mobile feature in this down time between the Snapdragon Summit and MWC. The Southern California chipmaker is partnering with Iridium to bring satellite messaging to select Android devices, starting with those running its new flagship SoC, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The technology utilizes the 5G Modem-RF Systems on the Qualcomm hardware, coupled with Iridium’s satellite constellation to deliver emergency messaging, following in the recent footsteps of Apple and T-Mobile. Garmin is in the mix here, as well, adding support by way of its Response feature built atop the Iridium network for emergency messages in remote locations where no carrier coverage exists. That technology was built with hikers in mind, though certainly there are plenty of other scenarios in which such SOS features could prove a literal life saver. “Garmin Response supports thousands of SOS incidents each year and has likely saved many lives in the process,” Garmin VP Brad Trenkle says in a release, “and we are looking forward to collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies and Iridium to help people connect to emergency services no matter where life takes them.” Applications include two-way emergency texting and messaging applications beyond SMS, using Iridium’s L-band. With today’s news, Qualcomm is opening access to the feature up to OEMs. The first batch of smartphones to get the feature will be arriving this year. I’d anticipate some more concrete announcements on that front right around MWC. Source: https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/05/qualcomm-partners-with-iridium-to-bring-satellite-messaging-to-android-phones/

[thewildcat]

Between it, Motorola's Inmarsat system and that thing Elon Musk promised a couple weeks ago but likely won't deliver upon, perhaps Garmin will finally be given a run for their money. Remember the awkward position NSAT&T found themselves in after divestiture when the competitive long distance business exploded in the late '80s? Yeah, it's that again. Garmin, at present, effectively have a virtual monopoly over the satellite text messaging market, but not for much longer. (Yeah, there's Spot, but who even uses that?) Eventually they'll realise they seriously need to consider lowering their absurdly high Inreach service fees, if they intend to stay competitive as the well-heeled incumbent.

[JimmyBob]

T-Mobile will test their data service to Starlink satellites this year. It will work with all of their cell phones, as it is uses existing PCS LTE bands. AT&T and VZW are working towards the same. InReach/Zoleo/etc will have trouble keeping relevant.