Samsung Electronics is expanding its support for satellite communication (SATCOM) in its Galaxy smartphones to include North America, Europe and Japan.
Samsung said the expansion of SATCOM connectivity will allow users to be always connected regardless of how remote the area might be. This expansion of SATCOM will support emergency response and communication when traditional mobile networks are either unavailable or weak.
Samsung has support for SATCOM on some Galaxy smartphones, but this expansion will include more models and cover new regions.
Samsung said it will continue to roll out regional network availability for SATCOM services as they become available and pass regulatory requirements.
SATCOM regional deals
Samsung said in the U.S., Galaxy smartphones on the T-Mobile/Starlink network will support T911, text and data services. Verizon’s eSOS and text services are also supported for Galaxy smartphones. Samsung is also working with AT&T to support SATCOM through its networks.
In Europe, Virgin Media O2 will provide SATCOM services to select Galaxy smartphones and Samsung is set to begin trials with MasOrange in Spain and is working on deals with Vodafone in other parts of Europe.
Finally, in Japan, SATCOM-based text, data functions and emergency response will be provided to select Galaxy smartphones through Japanese telecom KDDI. Samsung is also collaborating with SoftBank and docomo for SATCOM services to be included on select Galaxy phones starting later this year. Samsung said it will also work to support SATCOM on Rakuten Mobile.
Why it matters
SATCOM is becoming a growing importance for both telecoms and smartphone manufacturers as they look to offer new features to retain users and find new ways to monetize emerging technologies as the subscriber base remains flat.
At the same time, low Earth orbit satellite vendors are rapidly launching new satellites to support these SATCOM initiatives and some are even considering entering the mobile phone business as a competitor to traditional telecoms globally.
