Snapdragon Satellite

2023

Project closure

On November 9, 2023, it became known that microchip developer Qualcomm and satellite provider Iridium] decided to curtail the project to provide satellite communications services to smartphone owners. The proposed technology was not in demand among mobile device manufacturers.

We are talking about the Snapdragon Satellite function, which was introduced in early 2023. It was assumed that owners of premium smartphones running Android will be able to exchange messages via satellites in the absence of cellular network coverage. This could be useful, for example, in emergency situations. It is noted that Iridium and Qualcomm "successfully developed and demonstrated the technology," but it did not find a response from smartphone market participants. This is due to the fact that large players are striving for the nascent segment of connecting unmodified cellular devices directly to satellites. Against this background, Qualcomm terminated its cooperation agreement with Iridium.

Quallprom closed the Snapdragon Satellite project

We expect to continue working with Iridium on standards-based solutions while stopping work on a proprietary solution that was introduced earlier in 2023 [Snapdragon Satellite], Qualcomm said in a statement.

Iridium adds that the termination of the agreement with Qualcomm allows it to resume cooperation with other companies working on satellite communications projects. Iridium said the termination of the agreement would not affect its financial results for 2023.

Although I am disappointed that this partnership did not bring immediate results, we believe that the general trend is obvious: the industry is moving towards expanding satellite support in consumer devices, "said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium[1]

Premiere of the system

On January 6, 2023, Qualcomm and Iridium announced the signing of a cooperation agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties will provide the ability to exchange messages via satellite communication on premium smartphones running Android.

The new solution is called Snapdragon Satellite. It provides support for two-way communication in emergency situations, in remote regions in which there is no coverage of the cellular network, during travel and in other scenarios. We are talking about exchanging text messages through the Iridium system: thus, it will be possible to send and receive messages anywhere in the world. It is said about the application of a weather-resistant frequency L-band for the uplink and downlink.

Snapdragon Satellite ​​sistema for two-way satellite communication on Android smartphones introduced

The function will initially be available to owners of Android smartphones equipped with Qualcomm processors - starting with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Then, as expected, the scope of use of Snapdragon Satellite will expand to other devices, including laptops, tablets, automotive on-board infotainment complexes, IoT gadgets, etc. As the Snapdragon Satellite ecosystem evolves, tech makers and app developers will be able to offer unique features to users.

But there are also some limitations. The size of messages sent via Snapdragon Satellite should not exceed 140 bytes. Users will not be able to exchange multimedia materials such as photos and videos, as well as make phone calls. But in an emergency, even a regular text message sent from a smartphone via satellite can save human lives. The first devices with support for the new technology will appear on the commercial market in the second half of 2023.^[2]

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