In a groundbreaking move, Deutsche Telekom, Skylo, and Qualcomm have successfully trialed the first SMS service sent directly to handsets over satellite in Europe. Conducted by Deutsche Telekom’s subsidiary Cosmote in Greece, this trial integrates terrestrial and GEO satellite networks, enhancing connectivity.
The test used devices equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon® X-80 5G Modem-RF System, featuring NB-NTN satellite connectivity. This enabled users to send and receive SMS messages in areas lacking traditional mobile coverage. The trial was conducted under 3GPP’s Release 17 standards, allowing seamless messaging without additional hardware.
The direct-to-handset (D2H) SMS technology holds great promise. It ensures reliable messaging for users in remote and underserved regions. Moreover, using the commercially licensed MSS spectrum allows seamless cross-border roaming across Europe. As Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO of Skylo mentioned, “Soon, subscribers won’t have to think twice about coverage before texting, whether they’re on a remote island in Greece or venturing in regions without cell coverage—it’ll be a part of their cellular service.”
The benefits of such technology are significant. It offers improved coverage in rural areas, enhances emergency response capabilities, and ensures that users maintain connectivity without the need for additional hardware. Moreover, integrating satellite services into existing carrier networks could streamline the usability of satellite technologies for the average user.
