The UK could greenlight direct-to-phone satellite services this year

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Should you reside in a rural space of the UK, you could quickly be capable of use your telephone for satellite tv for pc calls, messages and different normal information use. On Tuesday, the nation's telecom regulator, Ofcom, proposed utilizing direct-to-device satellite tech to attach individuals within the UK's "most rural and hard-to-reach locations," like mountains and distant villages.

Ofcom sees the tech complementing conventional networks, aiming to supply one hundred pc cellular protection within the UK. The regulator stated the tech might additionally present backup protection throughout outages, provide service to ships and passengers in coastal waters with no connection and supply emergency 999 companies (the UK's model of 911) in distant areas.

In January, British telecom Vodafone made the world's first satellite video call using a standard mobile phone on a distant mountain in west Wales.

Relating to the regulatory particulars, Ofcom suggests amending current cellular spectrum licenses for frequencies already utilized by mobile suppliers (beneath 3 GHz). Nevertheless, the regulator additionally supplied different approaches, together with introducing a brand new license for satellite tv for pc companies or permitting license-exempt use if sure circumstances are met. No matter its particular coverage method, Ofcom stated strict circumstances could be connected to keep away from interference with current spectrum customers within the UK and abroad.

Ofcom is opening a session interval with stakeholders from now to Might 20. Relying on the suggestions it receives, it might start authorizing direct-to-device calls later this 12 months.

The iPhone 14 sequence was the primary normal handset to offer direct-to-satellite emergency messaging. In iOS 18, Apple expanded the performance past crises to any situation where you're off the grid. The Samsung Galaxy S25 series and Google Pixel 9 not too long ago added similar functionality.

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cellular/smartphones/the-uk-could-greenlight-direct-to-phone-satellite-services-this-year-183504094.html?src=rss

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