MONTREAL – Telus, Montreal-based TerreStar Solutions (operating as Strigo) and U.S.-based Skylo announced Wednesday they have successfully used satellite connectivity to conduct voice calls and send text messages between smartphones as well as connect to IoT devices.
The trial in October combined non-terrestrial network (NTN) service provider Skylo’s software-defined network connectivity platform, TerreStar’s mobile satellite spectrum and service platform that covers most of Canada, and Telus’s network-building expertise, according to a press release. The trial was successful in making direct connections using TerreStar’s existing Echostar T1 geostationary satellite, the release says.
“This is a bold step toward a future without mobile no-coverage zones, one where all Canadians can feel safe and connected,” the release reads.
“This groundbreaking trial demonstrates the power of satellite technology and advances TELUS’ mission to bring vital connectivity to every area of Canada,” Darren Entwistle, Telus president and CEO, said in the release. “This collaboration with TerreStar and Skylo lays the foundation for a world where everyone has access to potentially life-saving connectivity, and businesses and institutions can operate more sustainably and efficiently in remote regions.”
With chipset manufacturers currently working on equipping the next generation of smartphones with 5G satellite capabilities, Telus says it is exploring these solutions and hopes to introduce these types of devices to customers in 2024.
Some of the future use cases for mobile-to-satellite and IoT-to-satellite connectivity include: providing backup connectivity to ensure emergency services are never out of reach even when natural disasters impact networks and damage cell towers; improving employee safety and reducing costs for industries requiring remote field work and monitoring of critical operations such as forestry, energy and scientific research; enabling uninterrupted fleet vehicle tracking and management of supplies for businesses in remote areas; and delivering real-time data visibility, including temperature, water and site-specific information, to farmers to improve decision-making and sustainability in remote agriculture.
“This successful demonstration marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of global connectivity,” said Jacques Leduc, president of TerreStar. “With the convergence of TerreStar, TELUS and Skylo’s cutting-edge technologies, we’re ushering in an era of unparalleled connectivity and transformative value for Canadian customers.”
“We are thrilled to partner with TELUS and TerreStar to bring direct satellite connectivity to customers in Canada,” said Tarun Gupta, chief product officer and co-founder of Skylo. “We’ve been able to expand beyond smartphones — into wearables and low cost, low power, IoT devices. This revolutionary new service will ubiquitously transform lives and businesses in a way no other mode of connectivity has done before.”
Telus isn’t the only Canadian mobile service provider exploring phone-to-satellite connectivity solutions. In April, Rogers announced partnerships with SpaceX and Lynk Global to bring satellite-to-phone coverage to remote regions of Canada not served by traditional networks.
Image provided by Telus.
