Skylo has announced the introduction of satellite connectivity for smartphones powered by Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System. This integration enables smartphones with Snapdragon X80 to directly communicate over Skylo’s Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), allowing for two-way peer-to-peer text messaging, location sharing, and SOS notifications to emergency services.
The Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System enhances data speeds, call quality, coverage, and battery life, providing a robust platform for 5G connectivity across smartphones, IoT devices, wearables, and automotive applications. With all testing successfully completed, the Snapdragon X80 is now certified for Skylo’s satellite network.
Skylo’s global NTN leverages dedicated Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum to connect nine Earth stations across multiple partner satellite constellations, covering over 50 million square kilometres. This ensures smartphones can transition effortlessly between cellular and satellite networks, maintaining connectivity without the need for carriers to allocate terrestrial spectrum or navigate complex regulatory processes.
“This is an impressive moment for cellular connectivity made possible by the strength of Skylo’s pioneering network and Qualcomm Technologies’ groundbreaking Snapdragon X80,” said Francesco Grilli, Vice President of Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies. “First we brought seamless NTN to IoT and together, we’re making significant strides in smartphone connectivity. We are extremely proud of this collaboration with Skylo and look forward to what’s possible as we continue expanding satellite access to other industries, like enterprise, automotive, and wearables.”
“Our work with Qualcomm Technologies provides smartphone users the peace of mind that comes with satellite connectivity,” said Dr. Andrew Nuttall, CTO and Co- Founder of Skylo. “Qualcomm Technologies has been an exemplary partner and we look forward to introducing new, exciting satellite integrations into everyday use-cases.”
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