Qualcomm Partners With Iridiums Join Satellite-Based Message Service For Android

Qualcomm and Iridium executives have collaborated. (photo: twitter @cristianoamon)

JAKARTA - Qualcomm Inc has partnered with Iridium Communications Inc to provide satellite-based messaging services on premium smartphones running the Google Android operating system. This was revealed from the source of the chip-making company on Thursday, December 5.

The partnership comes months after Apple Inc launched a similar feature that would allow the iPhone 14 model to send emergency messages via satellites in several countries such as the United States and Canada.

Great to touch base with @IridiumComm CEO Matt Desch (@IridiumBoss) at #CES2023. Very excited about the collab between Iridium and @Qualcomm, which has already yielded a truly differentiated solution with @Snapdragon Satellite. Can't wait to see how far we take this! pic.twitter.com/NLX3VwnnUL

— Cristiano R. Amon (@cristianoamon) January 5, 2023

The phone also has a Qualcomm chip that can be connected to a satellite when there is no Wi-Fi or any mobile data connection.

Qualcomm said last Thursday that a new service, the Snapdragon Satellite, will be available in certain areas starting in the second half of 2023, starting from a device that uses a second-generation Snapdragon 8 mobile platform.

Snapdragon satellites can also be activated on other devices including laptops, vehicles, and tablets, adding sources on Qualcomm as quoted by Reuters. However, this source did not mention whether the device needed specialized equipment to connect to.

Using Qualcomm technology messages sent via service will achieve Iridium's satellite network. They will then be communicated to recipients or emergency services.

GPS-based gadget maker Garmin Ltd will coordinate emergency response services to users, Qualcomm said.