The much-anticipated Snapdragon Satellite service by Qualcomm and Iridium has been canceled. The announcement came after the companies’ partnership was terminated due to the low adoption rate of the technology by smartphone manufacturers. With the program now coming to an end, only select Android devices will have satellite capabilities.
According to a statement by Iridium, Qualcomm pulled the plug on the partnership on November 3, 2023, citing the technology’s low adoption by smartphone manufacturers as the reason for the cancellation.
However, despite this setback, Iridium emphasized that the technology has proven to be reliable and effective on a global scale. With the end of the partnership, Iridium plans to explore future collaborations with smartphone OEMs, other chipmakers, and phone OS developers to promote the adoption of satellite technology in mobile devices.
The cancellation of the Snapdragon Satellite service comes at a time when satellite communications are gaining prominence in the industry. Apple’s Emergency SOS service and SpaceX’s Starlink “Direct to Cell” service have demonstrated the potential of satellite technology in offering emergency and connectivity services. While the end of the Snapdragon Satellite program is a disappointment, the future of satellite communications remains promising, with the industry expected to expand further in the coming years.
In conclusion, Qualcomm and Iridium’s decision to cancel the Snapdragon Satellite program reflects the challenges of promoting satellite technology in the Android phone industry. However, with ongoing developments in the field, the potential for satellite communications to revolutionize mobile connectivity and emergency services remains high.
