Q1: What is the direct connection of mobile phone to satellite?<\/p>\n
Mobile phone direct connection to satellite communication means that the same mobile phone can be used to perform random access and seamless switching between terrestrial mobile communication networks and satellite communication networks without any awareness, and can enjoy uninterrupted communication services anywhere in the world. It is the core direction of the integration of satellite Internet and terrestrial mobile networks. Mobile phone direct connection satellite technology is reshaping the communications industry landscape, and its success relies on technological breakthroughs, ecological cooperation and policy support. In the future, with cost reduction and user experience optimization, this technology is expected to become the infrastructure of the 6G era and promote inclusive global communications.<\/p>\n
Q2: What are the benefits of direct connection of mobile phones to satellites?<\/p>\n
First of all, users can make satellite calls and send and receive text messages in areas without terrestrial network coverage, such as remote mountainous areas, seas, deserts and other places, and can also stay in touch with the outside world. When you are exploring or working outdoors, you no longer have to worry about losing contact with the outside world due to signal problems. Secondly, some mobile phones can also send pictures, text and geographical location information, which can quickly transmit key information to the outside world in an emergency. When an emergency disaster occurs and the ground network is paralyzed, you can also call for help and transmit information in time, increasing your hope of survival. Finally, mobile phone direct connection communication is not affected by ground communication facility failures or congestion. It also improves the stability and anti-interference capabilities of communication. It can meet everyone’s needs for communication without blind spots and online anytime and anywhere. No matter where you are, you can stay connected to the world.<\/p>\n
Q3: What are the technical paths for mobile phones to directly connect to satellites?<\/p>\n
1. “New mobile phone + old satellite” mode. To put it simply, it is to use satellites that are already in orbit (such as the Iridium system, GlobalStar system, Tiantong-1 satellite system, etc.), then customize a dual-mode mobile phone, and integrate ground mobile communication terminal chips\/modules and dedicated satellite communication terminal chips\/modules. Since the satellite side is basically immobile, all work is basically led by mobile phone manufacturers, so commercial deployment is very fast. But there are two big disadvantages. First, due to the integration of dedicated satellite communication terminal chips\/modules, mobile phones are basically very expensive and difficult to promote on a large scale. Second, the satellite side is basically immobile, which is good or bad. Since the satellite side is basically immobile, the capabilities of the satellite in orbit and the built-in antenna of the mobile phone are limited, and the communication rate is very low. Basically, only basic communication can be achieved.<\/p>\n
Attached: Introduction to Tiantong Satellite:<\/p>\n
Tiantong-1 operates on a GEO of 36,000 km. The satellite uses a large-scale satellite-based mesh antenna with an electrical diameter of about 15 meters, which can communicate with ordinary-sized Tiantong satellite mobile phones on the ground. As the first satellite mobile communication system and network independently developed by my country, Tiantong-1 can provide all-weather, all-day, stable and reliable mobile communication services for users in my country and surrounding areas, the Middle East, Africa and other related regions, as well as most of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It can be used in many scenarios such as marine fisheries, emergency rescue, tourism and adventure, and the Internet of Things.<\/p>\n
2. “Old mobile phone + new satellite” mode. To put it simply, you do not need to replace or modify your mobile phone, but make changes on the satellite side to configure a very large-scale phased array antenna array for the satellite to improve signal transceiver capabilities and make up for the insufficiency of existing mobile phone wireless transceiver capabilities that cannot cope with the huge signal loss of satellite-ground links. But this will also bring about a new problem, that is, the power consumption, size, and quality of the satellite will increase, which will increase the cost. In addition, due to the need to adapt to the existing terrestrial mobile communication system (such as 4G, 5G), the orbital height and beamforming of satellites are restricted, resulting in limitations in user communication rates and system capacity. The advantage of this method is that it has a large user base, because there is no need to buy new mobile phones, and the number of potential consumer groups is large. However, it requires a new low-orbit satellite constellation, which is very expensive.<\/p>\n
Comes with:<\/p>\n
(1) “GW” constellation:<\/p>\n
The “GW” constellation is a national giant satellite Internet project led by China Star Network. It plans to deploy 12,992 satellites, adopt a multi-layer multi-orbit design, and combine ultra-low orbit and low-Earth orbit to build an integrated space-space 6G communication network covering the world. On December 16, 2024, StarNet successfully launched the first batch of networking satellites (Low Orbit Group 01) in a “10-satellite” method, marking the official launch of constellation construction.<\/p>\n
(2) “G60” constellation:<\/p>\n
The Qianfan Constellation is a large-scale satellite Internet constellation under construction in my country, including a third-generation satellite system, using a full-band, multi-layer and multi-orbit constellation design. In the first phase, it is planned to launch 648 satellites to provide regional network coverage by the end of 2025; in the second phase, by the end of 2027, another 648 satellites will be launched to provide global network coverage (a total of 1,296 satellites in orbit); by the end of 2030, 15,000 satellites will be provided to provide mobile phone direct connection and multi-service integration services.<\/p>\n
3. “New mobile phone + new satellite” mode. To put it simply, it is both a new mobile phone and a new constellation. Since both mobile phones and satellites have been modified, the mobile phone only needs to be a single-mode mobile phone, and the hardware cost has basically not changed, so market development is relatively easy. But this model requires policy innovation, such as planning new frequencies or allowing satellite communication operators to reuse the mobile phone spectrum of terrestrial mobile operators in areas without terrestrial base stations.<\/p>\n
Q4: What mobile phones support direct connection to satellites?<\/p>\n
At present, many mobile phone manufacturers have launched mobile phones equipped with direct-connect satellite functions, such as Huawei Mate 60 series, Pura 70 Ultra, Honor Magic V3 dual satellite version, Magic 6 Pro, vivo X100 Ultra, OPPO FindX7 Ultra, Xiaomi Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Nubia Z60 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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