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Android 14 Satellite connectivity support and what it means for users

Android 14 Satellite connectivity support: The incoming Android 14 will have support for satellite connectivity and this is expected to change the way Android users use their phones in some ways. Google SVP of Platforms & Ecosystems Hiroshi Lockheimer announced on Twitter that Google is working on building satellite communication support into Android 14.

Although the existing radio hardware in current Android phones is able to communicate with the satellite, it appears software update is required too. And this software update will be provided in Android 14. Google is not the only company working to bring Satellite connectivity into smartphones. A few weeks ago, T-Mobile and Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced a partnership that will make it possible for smartphones on the T-Mobile network to connect directly to satellites.

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The upcoming Starlink V2 satellites will incorporate this even in already existing phones as they will be using an existing band in the PCS spectrum. The announcement from T-Mobile and SpaceX seems to be in line with the timeframe for the release of Android 14.

T-Mobile and SpaceX are expected to start testing the beta version of the new satellite in the third quarter of 2023 and this is around the same time Google will roll out the Android 14 OS update to users. The service is expected to start in the US but over time will be made available for users around the world.

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What does Android 14 Satellite connectivity support mean for users?

This means that Android users will be able to connect to a network from anywhere in the world. There won’t be such a thing as no network connectivity even in rural areas. The network will be about 2Mbps to 4Mbps per cellular zone, which is slow but even this is enough to send and receive hundreds of thousands of text messages.

Android users that are connected to the satellite network will be able to also send MMS and also make voice calls and browse the internet using mobile data. The network bandwidth is expected to be enough to make for 1-2,000 voice calls, great in cases of emergencies and in remote areas.

T-Mobile and SpaceX

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With the Android 14 satellite connectivity support, there will be very few places where Android users won’t be able to get a network signal to send or receive calls, text messages (including MMS), and even browse the internet. As noted earlier, the speed might not be fast but it will be more than enough to make calls or send texts during emergencies.

We look forward to testing this feature when it is finally rolled out next year. What about you? Are excited about this new Android 14 connectivity satellite connectivity support? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.


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