As Vivo prepares to introduce a satellite-enabled smartphone in India, it’s set to bridge the gap between terrestrial and space broadband
Vivo, the globally renowned smartphone manufacturer, is on the verge of a groundbreaking innovation in the Indian market. The company is poised to launch a smartphone equipped with satellite-connectivity capabilities, marking a significant leap forward in mobile technology. However, this cutting-edge device will only be available once Vivo clears the necessary regulatory hurdles in India.
Rakesh Tamrakar, a Standards Expert at the Vivo Communication Research Institute, explained the current status of the technology. "The technology (satellite-based communications) is ready, but its deployment depends on the needs and technicalities of the local market in India. It will take some time because the service system here doesn't support it yet, and there are regulatory issues that need to be addressed," Tamrakar shared in a recent conversation with ETTelecom.
This upcoming device, the Vivo X100 Ultra, is already making waves in China and other global markets. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the X100 Ultra is designed to seamlessly connect to both terrestrial and space broadband networks, offering users a truly unparalleled connectivity experience.
As Vivo eyes the Indian market, the company continues to strengthen its technological backbone. With over 25,000 patents to its name, including more than 6,000 families of 5G standard-essential patents across 70 countries, Vivo is solidifying its position as a leader in the global telecom landscape.
The momentum around satellite connectivity is undeniable. Last year, Qualcomm and Iridium, a satellite communications company, entered into a strategic partnership to access Iridium's L-band spectrum via low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, although the partnership was eventually called off.
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