Android has a response to iPhone's satellite connection, thanks to Qualcomm - Morningstar

By Wallace Witkowski

Snapdragon Satellite work volition link Android smartphones to satellites without request for gateway connected the crushed

Qualcomm Inc. is looking to leapfrog Apple Inc. by offering exigency outer telephone work utilizing Android smartphones, with circumstantial merchandise announcements expected by the mediate of the year.

At the CES tech lawsuit successful Las Vegas, Qualcomm (QCOM) announced it has partnered with outer web Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) connected Snapdragon Satellite, a work wherever next-generation smartphones volition tally Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL) (GOOGL) Android operating system.

By utilizing an due Android smartphone with a wide presumption of the sky, users extracurricular the scope of cellular work volition beryllium capable to nonstop exigency SMS messages utilizing a web of 66 satellites, Qualcomm said.

In a presumption to media, Francesco Grilli, Qualcomm's caput of merchandise management, said the work has a faster turnaround clip for substance messages, sometimes arsenic accelerated arsenic 10 seconds, compared with a infinitesimal oregon much for different services successful areas with nary cellular service. To usage the service, Android users volition constituent their telephone astatine the entity to nexus with an Iridium satellite.

For now, the work is conscionable for messaging, which uses little bandwidth than dependable services that necessitate a changeless connection.

In September, shares of Globalstar Inc. (GSAT) were volatile aft Apple Inc. (AAPL) announced a concern with the outer institution to supply exigency services.

Unlike Globalstar, however, Snapdragon Satellite volition not request a outer gateway connected the ground, meaning the instrumentality volition pass straight with a outer alternatively routing messages done infrastructure connected earth.

"If determination is nary gateway successful the country wherever you are, you're retired of luck," Grilli said of Globalstar. "So if you are successful the mediate of the ocean, determination is nary Globalstar gateway there, truthful you person nary coverage. If you are successful Antarctica, determination is nary gateway there, you person nary coverage."

Qualcomm could not remark connected circumstantial archetypal instrumentality manufacturers astatine the contiguous time. The consumer-facing work volition apt commencement successful Western Europe and North America astatine a outgo yet to beryllium determined.

Qualcomm shares were down 1.4% successful caller activity, compared with a 0.9% diminution connected the S&P 500 and a 1.1% gaffe connected the tech-heavy Nasdaq .

-Wallace Witkowski

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-05-23 1628ET

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