Latest news with #satellitecommunication
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Android Authority
Brands might be cooling on satellite features, and that's bad news for cheaper Androids
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Chinese brands are scaling back satellite communication and keeping it for top-end models only. A reliable tipster says past high-end sat-com flagships sold poorly and were dropped. This could make global brands less likely to bring the feature to affordable phones. Satellite communication has been one of the most talked-about phone features in the past couple of years, and it's no longer just for emergencies. Just this week, our APK teardown showed how Google's Find Hub is getting ready to let you ping your location over satellite, hinting at a future where this tech is more of an everyday tool than a last resort. All that said, there are wider signs that some phone makers seem to be gradually losing interest in the tech. Don't want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a preferred source in Google Search to support us and make sure you never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. According to a Weibo post from reliable leaker Digital Chat Station, Chinese OEMs are dialing back their satellite communication ambitions, especially for mid-range and iterative flagship models. According to the post, the feature is now being reserved for the very top memory configurations — and not even all of those. The tipster also noted that previous flagship models that bundled sat-com with maxed-out 16GB RAM and 1TB storage didn't sell well and ended up being discontinued. That's not great news if you were hoping to see satellite features trickle down to more affordable Androids. Apple already offers it on the iPhone, and Google looks set to equip the Pixel 10 series with it, but in the Android camp, it's mostly been a flagship perk, like on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. If Chinese mid-rangers won't bother, all of the biggest manufacturers have even less reason to add it to more affordable models. For now, satellite connectivity is still on the slow climb from niche safety net to genuinely useful feature. Until more brands commit to putting it in phones people buy in big numbers, you'll still need to shell out flagship money to get it. Follow
Times of Oman
10-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Starlink gets necessary clearance from India's space regulator
New Delhi: Elon Musk-owned satellite communication firm Starlink has received clearance from the Indian space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), sources said on Wednesday. In early June, Starlink was provided with license by the government to launch GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) services, VSAT Services and ISP Category-A under unified license. Starlink is the third company to receive approval for satellite communication (satcom) services from the Department of Telecom, following OneWeb and Reliance Jio. Recently, Airtel and Jio have partnered with Starlink to bring the latter's high-speed satellite internet services to their customers in India. Starlink will utilise Airtel and Jio's extensive dealer network to sell and promote its services. Satellite telecom in India will help the country provide much-needed services in remote interior places where conventional telecom services tend to be costly.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Jumps 10.6% on Vodafone Deal
We recently published a list of These 10 Stocks Boast Double-Digit Gains Amid Boring Market. AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) is one of the best-performing stocks on Thursday. AST SpaceMobile rallied by 10.6 percent on Wednesday to close at $44.35 apiece as investors cheered its partnership with Vodafone Idea (Vi) to expand mobile connectivity across India's unconnected regions. In a statement, AST SpaceMobile and Vi will join forces for the establishment of SpaceMobile Satellite System that will expand the latter's telecom services including voice, video, data streaming, and internet access. Under the agreement, AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) will develop and manage the satellite constellation while Vi will oversee terrestrial network integration, operating spectrum, and market access. An aerial view of a communications satellite in orbit, beaming its signal down to Earth. 'Vi has always been committed to leveraging technology to connect every Indian and we see satellite communication as a complement to terrestrial connectivity. As satellite-based mobile access becomes a reality in India, we are looking forward to ushering in a new era of seamless and resilient connectivity,' said Avneesh Khosla Chief Marketing Officer. While we acknowledge the potential of ASTS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Vi and AST SpaceMobile Announce Partnership for Satellite Connectivity
MUMBAI, India & MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 18, 2025-- Vi (Vodafone Idea), India's leading telecom service provider, and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. ('AST SpaceMobile') (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications, today announced a strategic partnership to expand mobile connectivity across India's unconnected regions. AST SpaceMobile made history by placing the first ever voice and video calls from space using standard mobile phone, a milestone that demonstrates the real-world viability of its advanced technology. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Idea Announce Partnership for Satellite Connectivity in India India is one of the world's largest and most dynamic telecom markets, with over 1.1 billion mobile subscribers. While there is widespread 4G and emerging 5G coverage, satellite communication will complement terrestrial connectivity to further expand broadband cellular access in some challenging terrains where deployment of terrestrial mobile infrastructure might be difficult. This partnership will bring together Vi's robust national network with AST SpaceMobile's revolutionary space-based cellular technology, which connects directly to everyday smartphones without the need of any specialized software or device support or updates. Aligned with Digital India's initiatives, AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Idea will collaborate on the SpaceMobile Satellite System. This space-based cellular broadband ecosystem will be designed to expand Vi's telecom services of terrestrial connectivity, providing voice, video, data streaming, and internet access. It will encompass the design, implementation, and launch of this system, wherein AST SpaceMobile will develop, manufacture, and manage the satellite constellation, and Vi will oversee terrestrial network integration, operating spectrum, and market access. 'Vi has always been committed to leveraging technology to connect every Indian and we see satellite communication as a complement to terrestrial connectivity. As satellite-based mobile access becomes a reality in India, we are looking forward to ushering in a new era of seamless and resilient connectivity,' said Avneesh Khosla Chief Marketing Officer. 'India, with its vast and dynamic telecom market, is the ideal place to demonstrate how our space-based cellular broadband can seamlessly complement terrestrial networks,' said Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer, AST SpaceMobile. 'We are not just expanding coverage; we are breaking down barriers to connectivity, enabling everyday smartphones to access 4G and 5G directly from space. Together with Vodafone Idea, we are excited to unlock new possibilities for emergency response, disaster management, agriculture, remote learning, and countless other applications that will benefit from truly ubiquitous mobile broadband.' This collaboration puts India at the forefront of global space tech innovation and will push development of use cases and applications for connectivity. Together, Vi and AST SpaceMobile will also collaborate to develop commercial offerings for diverse sectors, including consumer, enterprise and IoT. About Vodafone Idea Ltd. Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is amongst India's leading telecom service providers. The company holds a large spectrum portfolio including mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave spectrum in 16 circles. The Company provides Voice and Data services across 2G, 4G and 5G platforms and is expanding 5G services across 17 circles. To support the growing demand for data and voice, the Company is committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and contributing towards creating a truly 'Digital India' by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company's equity shares are listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in India. About AST SpaceMobile AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains 'forward-looking statements' that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'potential,' 'projects,' 'predicts,' 'continue,' or 'should,' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobile's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile's strategies and future financial performance, including AST's future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 BlueBird satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and AST SpaceMobile's ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile's responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025. AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors in AST SpaceMobile's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025. AST SpaceMobile's securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC's website at Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on CONTACT: Investor Contact:Scott Wisniewski [email protected] Contact:Allison Eva Murphy Ryan 917-547-7289 [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES INDIA NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY MOBILE/WIRELESS PUBLIC RELATIONS/INVESTOR RELATIONS 5G SATELLITE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AEROSPACE COMMUNICATIONS MANUFACTURING SOURCE: AST SpaceMobile, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/18/2025 06:15 AM/DISC: 06/18/2025 06:13 AM
Phone Arena
17-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 may have one cool new feature thanks to the Exynos 2500
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is expected to debut next month (July, 2025), and it will also serve as a launching pad for Samsung's first 3nm chip, the Exynos 2500. The Korean company hinted at the new silicon last year, and now a third-party source has revealed one cool new feature that may come to its next flip phone thanks to this in-house developed processor.A recent press release by a company called Skylo has confirmed that the Exynos 5400 5G modem inside the 2500 chip will support NB-IoT NTN connectivity with low-earth orbit satellites. This means that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 may come equipped with emergency satellite communication support. Skylo services graph | Image by Skylo Skylo Technologies is a global provider of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) services based in Mountain View, CA. The company provides services that allow smartphones and IoT devices with cellular connectivity to hook up directly to satellites. Skylo services work with existing satellite operators, network operators, and device manufacturers, providing the necessary bridge between these parties. The company has a rich portfolio of partners, and Samsung is just one of the more recent partnerships that Skylo scored. The Exynos 5400 5G modem will have satellite connectivity on board | Image by Samsung The Exynos 2500 is the first 3nm chip in the Samsung portfolio, following its predecessor, the Exynos 2400 used in the Galaxy S24 series. It's believed to bring some serious performance and efficiency gains along with the aforementioned satellite connectivity. However, a leaked Geekbench 6 score of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 painted a different picture. The phone was able to score just 2,012 in the Geekbench single-core test and 7,563 in the multi-core benchmark. For comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-equipped Galaxy Z Flip 6 managed 2,251 and 7,131 in the same tests, respectively, which puts the Exynos 2500 score in some perspective. We should bear in mind that these leaked early scores are usually lower than the scores of the production units due to optimization and fine-tuning the silicon. It's hard to say, even with the information above and the new partnership between Skylo and Samsung. The Exynos 2500 chip will certainly have the option to connect to satellites, but whether Samsung will unlock it and offer it to the public might depend on various business factors. Is this the return of Exynos silicon inside Galaxy flagships? | Image by Samsung The Exynos 2500 silicon platform was touted to debut with the Galaxy S25 series, but rumor has it that Samsung Foundry had problems with dye yields and couldn't supply the necessary volumes for that to happen. Which, subsequently, cost Samsung a lot of money to make the switch to Snapdragon 8 Elite. The latest information suggests that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while the Z Flip 7 may get the Exynos 2500 in some markets (some even say including the US). This may signal a return of the Exynos silicon inside Samsung's flagship phones and a possible diversification of the Galaxy S26 hardware, for better or for worse. In terms of the satellite connectivity support, the Galaxy S25 range has it onboard via Qualcomm's Snapdragon Satellite services. What do you think about all this? Which chipset would you like to see inside the Galaxy Z Flip 7 ? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below.
