Lynk Tests Connect Satellite to Thousands of Cell Phones and IoT Devices
Lynk Global reports that current pre-commercial tests on its fifth satellite in orbit linked it to countless unmodified devices, including mobile phones and IoT devices.
Lynk’s innovative approach to communication
Lynk claimed in a Tuesday release that the tests were performed over five nations– the Bahamas, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States– connecting to mobile phones from 8 of the leading ten mobile network operators worldwide. The satellite connected to 6,000 devices, including smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, cars, trucks, and even tractors, allowing direct two-way connectivity.
CEO and Co-founder Charles Miller informed Via Satellite that these tests were greatly boosted over prior tests Lynk has conducted. They additionally validate Lynk’s satellite-to-cell technology, first shown in early 2020.
” We were signing up numerous devices of all different types,” Miller said. “For the very first time, MNOs got to participate in send and receive. Independent, third-party onlookers sent text messages to and from space on their own phones.”
The company describes its technology as misleading a mobile phone to think it is a cell tower. The satellite is outfitted with a cell tower software stack. When in commercial service, it will certainly work as a roaming service.
Miller claimed the tests revealed some bugs and quirks to the software, which the company is updating for its sixth satellite, scheduled to launch in April.
In order to take its service to market, Lynk is partnering with MNOs and will certainly operate as a roaming service when devices are outside the range of cellular coverage. Lynk has signed contracts with 7 MNOs, including Aliv in the Bahamas, Telecel Centrafrique in the Central African Republic, and Unitel in Mongolia. Additional partnership announcements are to come.
Miller claimed Lynk is actively in discussions with numerous major U.S. MNOs, some of whom have actually tested on its network. “There is actual interest in what we are doing,” he claimed.
Breaking barriers
Lynk is expecting an international operator’s license from the FCC after completing the comment period for its license. Since Lynk will certainly make use of range from MNOs in the countries it runs in, Miller said it needed MNOs to check the tests for interference, and they did not report damaging interference.
The company prepares for initial commercial services later this year with emergency alerts and messaging backup service. Which it can use with its current on-orbit abilities. Miller plans to ramp up bandwidth levels of service as Lynk adds satellites, at some point scaling up to about 5,000 satellites and broadband service to cellular phones.
Miller stressed that Lynk is initially targeting service with MNOs due to the spectrum needs. However, the technology would be a natural suitable for a partner like a vehicle safety system or farm tools.
” Cars come off the production line with cellular chips constructed in. We linked cars with the cell chips built into the car. LoJack and OnStar do not function if you do not have a mobile connection. Now they will work all over, no change to your car,” Miller said. “When we sign up a significant MNO in the United States, after that we are in a perfect position to go to the American car companies and tractor companies and [give connectivity.]
Read the original article on Via Satellite.
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