Samsung 5G NTN Modem Technology to advance Smartphone to Satellite communications

Samsung, the South Korean tech giant unveiled their 5G NTN (non-terrestrial networks) modem technology on Thursday. The new technology will expand phone to satellite connectivity, commercialize the 5G satellite communications and also prepare the groundwork for the 6G era. 

Integration of cellular and satellite could bring out immense opportunities. However, turning up at this terminal has been challenging. Building capacity for satellites to pick obscure smartphone signals with countless terrestrial obstructions has been a difficult route. With the coming up of millimeter-wave smartphones, the doors of possibilities have opened up.   

One of the key players in the tech arena, Apple Inc. previously introduced satellite-phone connectivity in their iPhone 14 range in collaboration with Globalstar, a reputed satellite communication company. Similarly, the multinational technology corporation, Huawei, stimulated connectivity with the BeiDou global satellite in their handsets. Both of them enabled a fairly unique feature for users to send text messages in case no signals are available. 

A lot of speculation around Samsung’s Galaxy S23 was made. It was thought that the company is going to have a satellite messaging system because of the presence of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and X70 modem system. But later on, this was washed off instead the development of 5G modem chips was announced. As per Samsung mobile experience VP TM Roh, Galaxy S23 wasn’t the right time as they didn’t have the right infrastructure ready. 

With the recent entry of Samsung’s new 5G NTN modem technology, direct communications between smartphones and satellites are going to be simpler and easier even in mountains, deserts, islands and many other remote areas. In other words, new Samsung technology will connect far-off untouched regions through satellite and non-terrestrial automobiles. 

As per the company, NTN has high resourcefulness in disaster-stricken places since it can hinder interference with rescue operations. It can also strengthen UAM (urban air mobility) shortly. 

Samsung is hoping to integrate its standardized 5G NTN modem technology with its Exynos Modem Solutions 5300. Together these two technologies could churn up more accuracy in predicting satellite positions and reduce frequency offset. With the Exynos technology, users will be able to send two-way texts and receive high-resolution images and videos from their contacts. 

The newly secured NTN technology will assist telecom carriers, mobile phones, and chip and semiconductor manufacturers in scaling up their services in the coming years. Samsung is going for standardized NB-IoT (narrowband internet of things) solutions which don’t require strong wireless antenna chips inside smartphones. The smartphone and mobile industry won’t feel pressured while designing devices with this step.

This technology is expected to give a boost to the commercialization process of 5G phones and satellite communications in South Korea and the rest of the world. It will further benefit the growth of 6G networks as well as the Internet of Everything (IoE), the networked connection of people, processes, data, and things.

The world is changing at a fast pace and it’s no surprise that 6G will be the reality in the next 5 years. Samsung, LG Uplus, SNU and dozens of South Korea-based corporations are already looking ‘beyond 5G’. In the long run, Samsung Electronics has plans to secure the futuristic 6G technology while also focusing on Exynos modem, 5G NTN and NB-IoT technologies in the present era.