Snapdragon Satellite Project Canceled as Qualcomm and Iridium Collaboration Ends.

One of the main features of the iPhone 14 devices was satellite messaging and connection, and several Android phones adopted this capability as well. It was anticipated that Qualcomm would partner with Snapdragon Satellite. However, it looks like those plans are currently being postponed.

The satellite communications provider Iridium and the chipset maker stated they are terminating their agreement to offer satellite-to-phone services. According to an Iridium news statement, the parties successfully developed and proven the technology. Still, Qualcomm terminated the partnership because smartphone manufacturers chose not to include it in their products.

The separation does not imply that satellite connection is not occurring. The CEO of Iridium stated that the industry is moving forward with integrating technology into consumer goods. Similar efforts are underway at companies like SpaceX, AT&T, and T-Mobile. For instance, T-Mobile users may send messages from remote locations using SpaceX's Starlink satellites.

In a statement, Qualcomm stated that standard-based solutions will be used by smartphone OEMs going forward. As a result, the phone will continue to connect to mobile phone towers, which are connected to base stations, which receive their signal from high-orbit satellites.

When the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was first released, Qualcomm included satellite connectivity—as long as smartphone manufacturers installed the necessary antenna hardware. With the agreement cancellation, the Snapdragon Satellite launch scheduled for the second half of this year is not occurring.

In addition to continuing to collaborate with Iridium on existing solutions, the move allows the San Diego-based satellite business to deal directly with manufacturers.