Bullit and MediaTek Prepare HP with Satellite Technology, Early 2023 Release
British mobile phone manufacturer Bullit, in collaboration with MediaTek, will launch the world’s first cellphone using two-way satellite messaging technology in early 2023.
Messaging technology with satellite connections is increasingly attracting the interest of mobile phone manufacturers. Currently, three brands have adopted it, namely Apple, Huawei and Samsung.
In addition to these three giants, Bullitt Group, a UK-based smartphone manufacturer has announced that it will launch the world’s first smartphone with two-way satellite messaging technology in the first quarter of 2023.
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Bullitt has partnered with leading Chinese chipmaker Mediatek to develop a smartphone with two-way satellite messaging technology.
To enable direct-to-satellite communication on this 5G smartphone under development, Bullitt has been working with the Chinese semiconductor company for the past 18 months.
The company claims it will be the first to use MediaTek’s 3GPP NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) chipset, which was demonstrated earlier this year. In parallel, software and components have also been developed to support OTT satellite messaging services.
It explains that it takes about ten seconds for Bullitt’s phone to connect to send messages via satellite. When cellular and Wi-Fi reception is lost, the device will automatically switch to satellite connectivity.
Unfortunately, Bullitt still doesn’t want to provide detailed information on the specifications of this cellphone they make, but they say the cellphone they are working on will offer a fast messaging experience.
“We have known for a long time that the answer is in satellite but the seamless and ‘invisible’ integration into smartphones creates enormous technical challenges,” said Richard Wharton, co-founder at Bullitt Group.
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Wharton revealed that MediaTek and Bullitt have been working together for nearly two years to bring future devices to a new era in telecommunications.
“The fastest and easiest way for our carrier partners to offer convenience to their customers,” he said.
The first smartphone with a two-way satellite service from Bullitt is planned to be launched in March 2023. Later, the company will offer free emergency messaging for a year. However, the price is not yet known. [FY/HBS]
