Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Mobile ‘dead zones’ could be a thing of the past by end of decade

thenationalnews.com · 6h · first reportShare

The mobile “dead zone” could become a thing of the past by the end of the decade as satellites begin connecting directly to ordinary smartphones, Space42 has said. The UAE space technology company is developing direct-to-device technology designed to keep regular, unmodified phones connected when users travel beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks. Viktor Stoyanov, chief operating officer of Smart Solutions at Space42, said the technology could provide connectivity in areas where 4G and 5G networks fall short, including at sea, in deserts and in mountains. “In the near future, you'll be able to connect to the satellites and receive connectivity even if you're deep in the ocean, deep in the desert, high in the mountains,” he told reporters at the company's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The aim is for the transition between terrestrial and satellite networks to become almost unnoticeable. Space42 and Viasat last week committed $1 billion to Equatys, a joint venture developing a gl