Chip maker Qualcomm Inc. today, Iridium Communications Inc. to bring satellite messaging to high-end Android smartphones. announced that it has partnered with and allowed them to communicate without a Wi-Fi-based Internet connection.

The companies said the new technology has a number of potential uses, including providing emergency services, text messaging and other low-bandwidth messaging applications. Such services will be available beyond terrestrial networks wherever Iridium’s global satellite group is licensed to operate.

Last year, Apple Inc. rival satellite operator GlobalStar Inc. launched a similar service in partnership with the U.S., allowing iPhone 14 models to send emergency messages via satellite in select countries, including the United States and Canada. Apple’s iPhone 14 also uses Qualcomm chips with built-in capabilities that allow phones to communicate with satellites when cellular or Wi-Fi is not available.

Iridium said its Qualcomm technology will allow smartphone users to send messages over the satellite network, which in an emergency will connect them to appropriate emergency services. Also, GPS equipment manufacturer Garmin Ltd. The company said it will help emergency response services find callers.

Jordan Hassin, Iridium’s chief communications officer, said the company chose to partner with Qualcomm rather than a specific smartphone manufacturer because its technology works with all phones running the Android operating system. In addition to providing hardware, Qualcomm will also sell services to smartphone brands on behalf of Iridium.

It’s a good deal for Iridium because Qualcomm’s chipsets are the same as Samsung Electronics Ltd. It is widely used by some of the world’s largest smartphone brands, including and Motorola Inc.