Samsung has announced that it provides a standardized 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) modem technology for direct communication between smartphones and satellites, especially in remote areas. By integrating this technology into the company’s Exynos modem solutions, Samsung plans to accelerate the commercialization of 5G satellite communications and pave the way for the 6G-based Internet of Everything (IoE) era.

“This milestone builds on our rich heritage in wireless technology, launching the industry’s first commercial 4G LTE modem in 2009 and the industry’s first 5G modem in 2018,” said Min Goo Kim, Vice President of CP (Communications Processor). Development at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is committed to taking the lead in promoting NTN’s hybrid fixed line ecosystems around the world in preparation for the advent of 6G.”

NTN is a communication technology that uses satellites and other non-terrestrial means to connect to regions previously inaccessible to terrestrial networks, over mountains, deserts or the middle of the ocean. It will also be critical for operating in disaster areas and powering future urban aircraft (UAMs) such as drones and flying cars.

Complying with the latest 5G NTN standards defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP Version 17), Samsung NTN technology will help ensure interoperability and scalability between services offered by global telecom operators, mobile device manufacturers and chip companies.

For highly reliable NTN communication with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Samsung developed and modeled satellite technology based on the 5G NTN standard, using the Exynos Modem 5300 reference platform to accurately predict satellite positions and minimize frequency shifts caused by Doppler shift. Based on this technology, future Samsung Exynos modems will support two-way text messaging as well as high-definition image and video sharing.

In addition, Samsung plans to provide NTN’s standardized NB-IoT technology for use in next-generation modem platforms. With integrated satellite connectivity, Samsung’s NB-IoT solutions provide mobile device manufacturers with much greater design flexibility by eliminating the need for a separate high-power wireless antenna chip inside smartphones.