In the rapid development of communication technology, the progress of satellite communication technology is particularly eye-catching. On November 26, 2024, Deutsche Telekom, Qualcomm and Skylo Technologies announced a major technological breakthrough: for the first time in Europe, the carrier's native NB-NTN (non-terrestrial network) satellite direct connection to mobile phone SMS sending and receiving functions. This achievement not only marks a major breakthrough in satellite communication technology in Europe, but also brings new enlightenment to the global communications industry.
1. Technical details and innovations
At the heart of the proof-of-concept is a Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 baseband chip equipped with a SIM card provided by Deutsche Telekom's Greek subsidiary Cosmote and integrated NB-NTN satellite connectivity technology. The Snapdragon X80 is the first 5G modem to integrate narrowband (NB) to non-terrestrial network (NTN) satellite communications support, a technological advancement that heralds more flagship smartphones with satellite connectivity in the future.
Designed for smartphones, extended reality (XR) devices, PCs, vehicles, and IIoT devices, the Snapdragon X80 5G modem features a dedicated AI processor with a tensor accelerator to increase data transfer speed, range, and performance while reducing latency. In addition, the new modem integrates the third-generation 5G AI Suite Gen 3 (5G AI Suite Gen 3) to further optimize coverage and location accuracy, with Qualcomm claiming that the X80 can reduce power consumption by 10% and improve positioning accuracy by 30% when connected to mmWave networks.
2. The significance of the collaborative project
Antje Williams, Senior Vice President, Business Creation, Technology Group, Deutsche Telekom AG, said: "Our customers want to be connected at all times. And the satellite direct connection to the mobile phone will be an additional feature of our mobile network, allowing our customers to easily send text messages from anywhere through their regular devices without the need for any separate app. "This innovation not only improves the user experience, but also paves the way for the development of more application scenarios in the future.
Pictured: Deutsche Telekom, Qualcomm and Skylo Technologies have announced that they have implemented the SMS function of an operator's native NB-NTN (non-terrestrial network) satellite directly connected to mobile phones for the first time in Europe
Dino Flore, Vice President of Technology at Qualcomm Europe, said: "We are pleased to announce that we have achieved this important milestone in Europe in partnership with Deutsche Telekom and Skylo. Together, we have enabled the direct transmission of information from NB-NTN to mobile phones using devices equipped with Snapdragon X80 5G modem-RF systems, enhancing the use of satellite connectivity on smartphones. "The successful implementation of this technology is due to Qualcomm's deep technology accumulation in the field of communications, and in the future, with the continuous maturity and improvement of technology, satellite connectivity of smartphones will become a broader reality.
3. Future Trends in Satellite Connectivity
Parthsarathi Trivedi, Co-Founder and CEO of Skylo Technologies, said: "We are proud to partner with Deutsche Telekom and Qualcomm to demonstrate Europe's first SMS sent directly to a mobile phone via satellite. "Soon, users will no longer have to think about coverage before sending text messages, and whether they're on a remote island in Greece or venturing in an area with no cell phone coverage, this will be part of their cell phone service. The future of satellite connectivity is tightly integrated with carrier networks, and we are excited to partner with Deutsche Telekom as Deutsche Telekom continues to pave the way for these new services."
4. Editorial Observations and Perspectives
From a technical point of view, the successful implementation of this cooperation is due to Qualcomm's deep technical accumulation in the field of communications. In the future, as the technology continues to mature and improve, satellite connectivity for smartphones will become a wider reality. In addition, with the continuous improvement of the construction of low-earth orbit satellite Internet and the development of large-scale phased array antenna technology, significant progress has been made in the exploration of direct connection routes of existing terminals. For example, SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile to provide SMS and voice services to users using its Starlink low-orbit satellite constellation, with plans to provide data services in 2025.
5. Conclusion
Deutsche Telekom and Qualcomm jointly realized the NB-NTN satellite SMS function, which marks a big step forward in satellite communication technology in Europe and brings new enlightenment to the global communications industry. With the widespread application of this technology, future communications will gradually break through geographical restrictions and truly achieve seamless connection, providing support and guarantee for all aspects of life. This is not only a technological advancement, but also a revolutionary change in the way human beings communicate. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X80's integrated AI core and support for satellite communications herald greater communication capabilities in future smartphones, providing users with an unprecedented connectivity experience.
