The year 2023 was poised to be the epoch of phone-to-satellite connectivity, a trend that captured the imagination of many, including this reporter. The excitement initially sparked with Apple’s groundbreaking move of introducing Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14 in late 2022, enabling users to send texts to emergency services using satellites. Qualcomm further fueled the anticipation, announcing that by mid-2023, handsets featuring Snapdragon chips would harness Iridium’s satellite network for emergency communications, encompassing texts, data, and videos.
CES 2023 added to the fervor, showcasing a demonstration in the Las Vegas desert, where reporters witnessed satellite-connected phones in action. Motorola and Bullitt added to the buzz by teasing their own tough satellite handset solutions. However, as 2023 drew to a close, no phones with Snapdragon Satellite had made it to market, and Qualcomm unexpectedly terminated its partnership with Iridium. The anticipated satellite solutions from major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, failed to materialize by the year’s end.
Consequently, as we reflect on the year, the iPhone stands alone as the sole handset with the capability for satellite connectivity, notably through Apple’s Emergency SOS feature. This reality serves as a sobering acknowledgment of the challenges and hurdles that have, so far, prevented the realization of widespread satellite texting and communication, prompting contemplation on the road ahead.