Bullitt, a UK-based manufacturer of rugged phones, has introduced its newest product, the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, CNET reports.
Before Bullitt's new device was released, satellite connectivity was exclusive to high-end handsets such as the iPhone 14 and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Satellite.
However, Bullitt's new device provides an affordable alternative for those seeking connectivity outside the range of mobile networks.
"The defy range of rugged devices have broad appeal, and the Motorola Defy Satellite link is especially relevant to all of us who have ever found ourselves outside of traditional messaging coverage," Dave Carroll, vice president of Strategic Brand Partnerships at Motorola said in news release.
Motorola Defy Satellite Link
Powered by a new MediaTek chip, the 6825, the Motorola Defy Satellite Link effectively allows any phone or device to connect to a satellite network.
The chip is small, costing less than ten dollars to add to a device, and is compatible with satellite constellations that support the 3GPP Release 17 mobile broadband standard.
In contrast to other satellite solutions that connect to constellations in low-Earth orbit, MediaTek's chip connects to satellites in geostationary orbit, allowing users to connect without pointing their phones toward the sky.
Finbarr Moynihan, vice president of corporate marketing at MediaTek, confirmed that the chip can be added to any 5G or 4G phone, from entry-level to flagship, and does not require a MediaTek system-on-a-chip. "Conceptually, it could work with any chipset," he added.
Digitaltrends reports that although the iPhone 14 series can use satellites to send an SOS message when normal cellular coverage is unavailable, the Bullitt Group and MediaTek are expanding this capability to include SMS-style two-way messaging over satellite.
Even after the release of the 3GPP Release 18 standard, which is expected to pave the way for voice and video to be transmitted via satellites, MediaTek plans to release successors to the MT 6825 chip.
Emergency Satellite SOS System Made Cheaper
MediaTek believes cheaper devices with less advanced modems will be required to take advantage of satellite-connecting chips like the MT 6825.
Bullitt's Motorola Defy Satellite Link is the first device to use MediaTek's chip, and the company has even introduced its own subscription plan to relay texts via existing satellite constellations.
The device is priced at $150 and provides a cost-effective alternative for those who desire satellite connectivity but need help to afford an expensive flagship device.
The onset of affordable satellite connectivity options is anticipated to significantly impact industries that rely heavily on satellite communications, such as aviation, shipping, and remote mining.
The capacity to hook up to a satellite network from virtually every corner of the world will also be a game-changer for emergency services, making it possible to connect with individuals in remote areas or regions where mobile networks are unavailable.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 95% of the world's population can access a mobile broadband network. Between 2015 and 2021, 4G network coverage more than doubled, reaching 88% of the global population. Mobile broadband signal already reaches most of the world's population, but some gaps remain.
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