Google’s Senior Vice President of Platforms & Ecosystems, Hiroshi Lockheimer, commented on this development on Twitter. He recalled how difficult it was for them to get 3G and WiFi functioning when they launched the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1 in 2008.
He stated that his team is currently “designing for satellites… Excited to help our partners in allowing all of this in the next version of Android (14),” expressing his curiosity about how the “user experience” for phones that can connect to satellites would be.
According to Space Explored, the speeds and connections are significantly more limited than ordinary 4G or 5G communication. “There will be just two to four megabits of bandwidth per cellular zone.”
With SpaceX officially joining the Philippines in Q4 2022, this satellite mobile coverage may be useful, but keep in mind that the Elon Musk-owned business is trying to supplement internet access in the region via Starlink, particularly in isolated places.
The direct satellite connection will technically function with existing iPhone and Android phones over existing network bands, and the service will be available in beta in late 2023.
