UAE to Offer Satellite Connectivity for Voice, Texting, and Data on Standard Smartphones

UAE residents will soon benefit from voice, texting and data satellite connectivity on their standard smartphones. With satellite connectivity, phones can be used even in areas without cellular reception because they connect to a low-orbit satellite to communicate with other phones or networks.

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e&UAE has partnered with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company under its direct-to-device (D2D) strategy. Announced last month, the D2D strategy seeks to empower standard smartphones with advanced satellite capabilities with services and applications that can be accessed anywhere in the world. This means the partnership will see E&UAE users benefit from satellite connectivity without the bulky equipment normally required.

The partnership will see the two companies join Yahsat’s planned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) D2D system designed to provide seamless connectivity to standard smartphones. This technology will provide “unprecedented” connectivity and accessibility to users around the world.

The company plans to offer voice and messaging capabilities this year before rolling out texting and IoT capabilities on smartphones in 2025. These are done using YAHSAT’s Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites.

E&UAE CEO Masood M. said the partnership opens a “new era” of global connectivity. Sharif Mahmood said. “We are proud to be the first operator to join Yahsat’s D2D vision and enable our networks to deliver a seamless, anytime-anywhere connection to people everywhere. This is an important step towards bridging the digital divide and realizing our shared vision of a connected future.

Yahsat Group CEO Ali Al Hashemi said the two companies were discussing “whole areas” of cooperation. This includes “developing the ecosystem” as part of “our recently launched D2D strategy – Project Sky”.

Project SKY is the first phase of the D2D strategy. The two-step strategy covers three main applications: voice, texting and data.

In February this year, Yahsat’s mobile satellite services subsidiary, Thuraya Telecommunications Company, launched Satellite Voice, the first universal D2D Android smartphone with SMS capabilities. Called the Skyphone, its design includes a retractable satellite antenna that is invisible when not in use and can be extended when satellite services are activated. It has two nano-SIM card slots for terrestrial and satellite connections, extending its users’ coverage to areas not covered by cellular towers.