A few months after Apple’s launch of satellite emergency messages with the iPhone 14, Samsung would be on the way to finalizing its own version of this functionality… but with a nice technological advantage.
Outdone in the post by Apple in terms of time, Samsung seems poised to trump technological sophistication. While Qualcomm is already working on a more advanced satellite communication feature than Apple’s, we’ve learned that Samsung is theoretically ready to roll out its own. In the absence of having been able to install it on its Galaxy S23, the brand presented a new standardized 5G NTN (non-terrestrial network) modem. as reported Engadgetthe latter allows two-way communication between a smartphone on one side and satellites on the other.
Expected on board future Exynos chips, this technology should allow users to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, but also data, without the need for any connection to the cellular network. As with Apple, the idea will initially be to offer users a solution to communicate in an emergency from remote areas, with little or no coverage by the mobile network (mountains, desert, sea, etc.).
Samsung would have more ideas
That being said, Samsung could use its technology as a foundation for other projects. Mainly, it complies with the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP Version 17) standards. This compliance gives you compatibility with traditional communication services from other chip makers, smartphones, or third-party telcos, he says. Engadget.
We also learned that this 5G NTN technology could later be used to transmit high-definition photos, and even videos, in addition to the aforementioned texts and calls. With it, Samsung also wants to mark certain milestones for the deployment of 6G… which, however, will not arrive before 2030, in the best of cases. Note also that the firm has already tested these features using an Exynos 5300 modem to calculate with “Accurate satellite position and minimize frequency changes caused by Doppler“, illuminated.
At this stage, however, it is unknown when Samsung will launch its 5G NTN technology on one of its smartphones. At the moment, the brand seems to consider that the moment is not yet propitious for a presentation to the general public. Perhaps the Galaxy S24, expected next year, will be the lucky winner, as Samsung is already technically ready.
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