Previously called Ubiquitilink, Lynk has shown and claimed last year that from now on, all cellular phones can be a satellite phone. Wherein you can now send a plain old text message from space to earth.
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Difference between the current satellite phones and Lynk
Lynk has spent the last year finishing up on the device and have recently demonstrated the actual product. This works by sending text messages from some cell towers in space to a normal phone on earth.
Yes, there are already satellite phones available today but these current complex, bulky and expensive devices use a dedicated link with frequencies that are not used by normal mobile phones.
As to Lynk's whole design, the purpose and idea are to administer the same globe-spanning connectivity without the users having to purchase a new phone, accessories or dishes.
Its works similarly to a normal phone
Charles Miller, founder, and CEO has told TechCrunch last year that they basically work the same as a regular mobile device and cell signals. Though, other factors such as when radio beams only passes through landscapes and building, it can then reach Earth's low orbit.
The only problem that is currently on Lynk's top priority is the physics that has to be involved especially when synchronizing the signals. Aside from this, three more satellites to test while the fourth is currently underway.
The third one, however, showed promising results on their first public demonstration, wherein it was perfectly capable of what could possibly be a universally accessible data service in the future.
Miller added that "This is the first time we actually sent a message from space to a standard, unmodified phone. We did it in the most visible way that people can understand, an emergency alert. There are some interesting kinks to making it work. We already knew we could do it."
He also stated that physics and engineering don't lie if the person knows what they are doing. That they have had it working in the lab for quite sometime now, and this time, trying to get it to work in reality.
Flying real hardware that connects to real hardware on Earth, is whats harder for him and his team, saying that people are skeptical, so they basically just had to prove them wrong.
Anyone will be able to send alerts to everyone on earth
There is a video showing that the text message has been received. What is happening is that a satellite is establishing a 2G cell signal with the phone and is connecting to it. It then transmits the text message using the correct encoding to try and create an alert.
With these kinds of small satellites, a person can actually alert every single person on earth in just a few minutes. This could also be great whenever there are emergencies or disasters happening around the world, or if a person is stuck in a remote area and other situations wherein there are no other signals available. Though rest assured, this will in no way hinder system emergencies such as alerts and texts for 911.
Launches for the fall are now planned. Everything is all up on the ISS and will be put into orbit eventually as Miller will demonstrate more of the device's capabilities to telecom partners. Though there will be a bunch of paperwork to do, Miller is still planning to announce partners worldwide this year and even possibly begin limited service to users.
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