Satellite Connectivity In Cell Phones

[Jim1348]

With all of the information about cell phone to satellite connectivity lately, I created a list to help me make sense out of it. Please feel free to proofread this for me and respond with any changes/corrections:


Cellular Mobile Telephone/Carriers & Satellite Partners:


Apple: Globalstar

Android: Iridium Communications Inc


AT&T: AST Space Mobile

T-Mobile: SpaceX Starlink

Verizon: Amazon Project Kuiper


As I understand things currently, if you have an Apple iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.1 or later, Emergency SOS is available, if you are in a place with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, you may be able to communicate through Globalstar satellite network.

Android phones will need Android OS 14 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset to work on Iridium for future service.

At the carrier level, AT&T is partnering with AST Space Mobile.

T-Mobile is partnering with SpaceX Starlink.

Verizon is partnering with Amazon Project Kuiper.

I have specifically NOT included any devices that require a second device to work, like the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, ACR Bivy Stick and Zoleo satellite communicators. The Garmin InReach, SPOT Gens and Somewear Global Hotspot may be other choices, too.

I also have not included any traditional, stand alone satellite phones that have been around for awhile.
(It looks like the legacy mobile satellite service providers are: Iridium, Inmarsat, GlobalStar and Thuraya.)

Who/what am I missing?

[DRNewcomb]

These all require very large satellites to make up for the anemic phone antenna.