Combined satellite-cellular communications will be easier for
consumers, enterprise, government and public safety due to an
agreement announced today by and among Mobile Satellite Ventures LP , a subsidiary of SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
ICO Global Communications, and
Qualcomm Incorporated
This agreement will enable
devices to have ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere
in North America, including areas where traditional cellular service is
currently unavailable or unreliable.
Qualcomm will integrate satellite and cellular communication technology
in select multi-mode mobile baseband chips, enabling satellite connectivity in mass-market
wireless handsets and devices and handset vendors to
produce satellite-capable devices at comparable scale and cost.
Combined with our powerful next-generation satellites,
Qualcomm's technology will enable mobile communications between
terrestrial and satellite network layers using ordinary mobile devices.
Under the
agreement, Qualcomm will develop a satellite protocol and include it in
the firmware of select upcoming Qualcomm multi-mode baseband chips.
Qualcomm will also support the L- and S-Band frequencies, in which MSV and ICO operate, in select RF processors.
The
new chips are expected to be available beginning in 2010. Qualcomm
will sell and support its hybrid mobile satellite services
(MSS)/terrestrial chipsets to mobile device vendors in the same manner
it does today. This will enable terminal OEMs to provide a full range
of handhelds and mobile computing devices capable of terrestrial
connectivity with 3GPP and 3GPP2 technologies across the L- and
S-Bands, as well as a wide range of existing mobile terrestrial bands.