Apple’s satellite iPhone speculation now makes more sense

Apple didn’t just get into 5G with iPhone, it got into networking tech

Some may recall the intermittent fantasy that iPhones may in future be able to make emergency calls using satellite networks. Nothing has come of these speculations so far, but the latest news from Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales suggest it’s only a matter of time.

Satellite-based 5G coverage

In a press release, Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales have announced plans to create a global 5G network using satellites.

The activity follows 3GPP approval for satellite-driven 5G non-terrestrial networks (5G NTNs). They say the plan could form part of a means through which to provide complete global 5G coverage – including into areas currently not served by terrestrial networks. Work on this new plan will begin in France. This will include smartphone-use-case-focused testing and validation of 5G non-terrestrial networks (5G NTN).

In brief, the plans could lead to truly global 5G infrastructure with a range of positive usage cases – imagine how satellite 5G may revolutionize low-cost communication across the shipping industry, for example.

Such widespread connectivity would boost 5G smartphone subscriber roaming service capabilities, as well as enabling global connectivity for transportation, energy and health sector 5G use cases. The space-based network could also be used as back-up support to terrestrial networks in the event of major network outages or disasters. The partners will now invest in developing the hardware and software tech to support this plan.

What about Apple?

It’s important to note that Apple is neither named nor hinted at in connection with this release.

Indeed, given the partners include two firms with which the company has had occasionally stressful relations. iPhones are currently banned in Colombia as a result of a patent lawsuit with Ericsson, for example, while settlement with Qualcomm cost many millions.

All the same, the news does clarify that the industry as a whole is interested in 5G satellite broadband, which makes Apple’s interest seem both more logical and more timely. In the event this kind of connectivity does become a ‘thing’ then Apple will want to be in the game. That means it seeks to support it, and may also want to invest in useful technologies in support of that technology. In an ideal world, Apple would participate in development of the inherent technology for this purpose, and perhaps speculation on research in this direction reflects that.

Though of course we know none of this for fact and all of this is merely speculation.

It will be interesting to see the extent to which this evolution ends up being harnessed within 6G, while being tested in 5G.

[Also read: Apple’s silicon chip design heroes are planning life after 5G]

What the partners said

Erik Ekudden, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Ericsson, says:

“This testing and validation cooperation between Ericsson, Thales and Qualcomm Technologies will be a major milestone in the history of communications as the ultimate result could effectively mean that no matter where you are on Earth – in the middle of an ocean or the remotest forest – high-end, secure and cost-effective connectivity will be available through collaborative 5G satellite and terrestrial connectivity.”

John Smee, senior vice president of engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., says:

“For 5G to fulfill on the promise of ubiquitous connectivity, it is imperative that it can also deliver network coverage in areas where terrestrial cellular networks do not exist, whether that be over oceans or in remote areas. Our planned research with Ericsson and Thales will kick off an important step in making this vital technology a reality. We are looking forward to what this collaboration can accomplish.”

Philippe Keryer, Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Research and Technology, Thales, says:

“The research collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies will demonstrate the belief of our companies that 5G non-terrestrial Networks will contribute to this revolution and will take network resiliency and security to the next level. “

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