Bullitt Group has partnered with chipset supplier MediaTek to launch the world’s first smartphone capable of two-way satellite messaging.
The partnership has been building over 18 months to enable satellite communication in Bullitt designed 5G smartphones.
The device software switches to the satellite link when no WiFi or cellular service is available and it takes 10 seconds to connect to the satellite and send a message.
Richard Wharton, Co-founder at Bullitt Group said: “We have known for a long time that the answer was in satellite but an ‘invisible’ and seamless integration into a smartphone creates enormous technical challenges.
“MediaTek and Bullitt share a pioneering spirit and a history of innovation so now, nearly two years into our relationship, we jointly stand at the forefront of a new era in telecommunications and the quickest, simplest way for our carrier channel partners to offer total peace of mind to their customers.”
JC Hsu, Corporate VP and General Manager of Wireless Communications Business Unit at MediaTek added: “This relationship carries on our longstanding history of innovation and leadership in the formulation of the 3GPP NTN standard, which combines cellular and satellite connectivity in the same device.
“In addition to the most recent mobile technology and the most sophisticated, highest-performing cellular connectivity features we have been working on, the 3GPP NTN effort advocates allowing device manufacturers access to satellite connectivity. We are very proud of having created the two-way satellite messaging technology used in this first commercially available phone and for being the pioneers in creating the ecosystem based on 3GPP NTN standards for satellite communication.”