Samsung announces two-way satellite connectivity system with 5G NTN modem technology

Samsung has unveiled the Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) 5G modem, which allows phones to communicate with satellites in areas where cellular network connectivity is unavailable. The company said it intends to integrate the technology into its own Exynos chip, which is used in several Samsung smartphones, but not in the current flagship Galaxy S23 series, which launched earlier this month. this. This technology, as the South Korean tech giant explains, uses “satellites and other non-terrestrial vehicles” to provide connectivity in remote areas.

According to a press release from the South Korean giant, this technology will be integrated into the company’s Exynos modem solutions, strengthening the commercial viability of 5G satellite communications and paving the way for the Internet of Everything (IoE) era. powered by 6G. Based on this technology, future Samsung Exynos modems will support two-way satellite text messaging as well as high-definition image and video sharing.

Samsung also plans to secure a standardized NTN NB-IoT technology for use in its next-generation modem platforms. With built-in satellite connectivity, Samsung’s NB-IoT solutions will eliminate the need for a separate high-power wireless antenna chip inside smartphones, giving mobile device manufacturers much greater design flexibility. .

NTN is a communications system that uses satellites and other non-terrestrial instruments to provide connectivity to regions previously inaccessible by terrestrial networks, such as mountains, deserts and the middle of the ocean. Samsung said it will also be key to ensuring disaster response capability and powering future urban air mobility (UAM) systems such as unmanned aircraft and flying cars.

“This step builds on our rich heritage in wireless communications technologies, following the introduction of the industry’s first commercial 4G LTE modem in 2009 and the industry’s first 5G modem in 2018. to take the lead in advancing terrestrial-NTN hybrid communications ecosystems around the world in preparation for the arrival of 6G,” said Min Goo Kim, Executive Vice President of CP (Communications Processor) Development at Samsung Electronics.

Apple recently introduced satellite connectivity with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro for off-grid connectivity. The company first made this technology available in the United States and Canada before expanding to France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Apple depends on the Globalstar satellite network for service.