Samsung introduces Exynos modem with support for two-way communication over satellite

The South Korean tech firm has enrolled in the competition of two-way communication over satellite. Several companies are working on the development of satellite connectivity features. The company is set to introduce the Exynos Modem 5300. The new Exynos Modem 5300 will enable users to communicate even in extremely remote areas. The users will be able to communicate with the rest of the world via utilizing the 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).

The latest modem employs the standard 3GPP Release 17.  Such standards guarantee interoperability with developing telecom networks as well as the hardware and software built by smartphone manufacturers. Let us explain the functioning of NTN communication by an example. A user sends a message to a satellite. The message is then bounced to a ground station. Followed by this, the message is transmitted to the conventional cell network for other users to collect.

Since this is a two-way communication messages can be transmitted the other way too. It is not only limited to texts. In the near future, users will be able to send high-quality photos as well as videos over satellite. The latest feature will be utilized for smartphones. however, the South Korean company intends to utilize the feature in “urban air mobility” vehicles like flying cars and unmanned aircraft.

Nevertheless, Samsung also claims that it is working on NarrowBand Internet of Things tech (NB-IoT).  NB-IoT will eliminate the requirement for an individual high-powered antenna chip inside phones. The Executive Vice President of Communication Processor Development at Samsung Electronics, Min Goo Kim, states that Samsung aspires to take the top lead in improving hybrid terrestrial-NTN communications ecosystems all around the globe. It will be followed by the advent of 6G.

For years, the company has been working on the development of 6G tech. as of now, the government has set the target to introduce it in 2026. Furthermore, Qualcomm announced back in January 2023 that soon it will introduce 2-way messaging over satellite for smartphones. It is anticipated that such a smartphone will be debuted at some point in the second half of 2023.