Skylo, a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) operator, has partnered with Bullitt Group, the British smartphone manufacturer, as Bullitt’s satellite connectivity partner for its two-way satellite messaging smartphone.
Available in Q1 2023, and on show for the first time at CES 2023, the smartphone will feature Bullitt’s new messaging service, connecting over satellite via Skylo’s network of established partner satellite constellations of geostationary satellites when standard cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable.
Bullitt and Skylo’s engineering teams have worked closely together over the past two years in partnership with one of the world’s leading chipset supplier, MediaTek, to develop reportedly the world’s first 3GPP standards-based approach to satellite NTN or ‘direct-to-device’ connectivity.
Commenting on the deal, Richard Wharton, Co-Founder of Bullitt Group, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Skylo in bringing satellite messaging to our extraordinary smartphones. We expect this new satellite messaging service to set a new standard for the mobile industry and we can’t wait for our customers to experience it when they’re on their next outdoor adventure. Whether you’re driving through an area without mobile coverage, hiking in the Highlands, or skiing the mountaintops, you’re always connected.”
For its satellite partnerships, Skylo works with a host of established regional and global satellite operators to enable always-on availability for machines, sensors, and compatible devices whenever and wherever there is open access to the sky. These satellites are already in place with landing rights and spectrum, allowing for rapid expansion and immediate coverage. The satellites function as a signal repeater between a user and a satellite Earth station, where Skylo’s technology & network enables and manages the connections to all end user devices.
Skylo operates a full-stack 3GPP standards-based NTN RAN and Core, and is installed into existing satellite Earth stations that allow for the vast and persistent geographic coverage supported by the existing geostationary satellite networks.
This service enables customers to message over satellite as they normally would use the phone, as long as they have access to an open sky. There is no need to point the phone to the satellite or remain stationary in order to connect.
Parthsarathi Trivedi, Skylo’s Co-Founder and CEO, added: “Never lose coverage. That’s Skylo’s mission, and our partnership with Bullitt takes us a step closer to truly achieving that promise. We started Skylo because we were frustrated by the need to carry a separate device to communicate over satellites, and the need to use expensive, proprietary modems with bulky antennas. Now, you can stay connected all the time with the one device that’s always in your pocket.”
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