Space42, an Abu Dhabi-based company, in collaboration with US firm Skylo Technologies, has successfully conducted a two-way SMS and emergency SOS communication test between a standard Android smartphone and the Thuraya-4 satellite. This test demonstrated the ability to send messages using a regular mobile phone without requiring any additional satellite antennas or specialized terminals.

The test utilized Space42’s Thuraya-4 satellite, which operates in geostationary orbit approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth, enabling extensive coverage. Messages were transmitted through the existing mobile operator’s SIM and identity systems without any modifications to the core network. While the test did not include unrestricted voice calls, internet browsing, or video streaming, it confirmed that compatible ordinary phones can exchange small amounts of data via satellite when terrestrial mobile coverage is unavailable.

Ali Al Hashmi, CEO of Space Services at Space42, highlighted the significance of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication, which allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites using mobile network standards, eliminating the need for dedicated satellite phones or external terminals. He stated, "You literally have access to everybody who owns a phone. If you do not own any satellite terminal today, you are still a potential customer."

The ultimate goal is for phones to seamlessly switch between terrestrial networks and satellite connections depending on coverage availability. However, due to the distance and data limitations associated with geostationary satellites, initial services focus on messaging, emergency alerts, and location sharing rather than high-bandwidth applications like full internet access or video streaming.

Looking ahead, Space42 and Viasat are developing Equatys, a shared satellite infrastructure venture designed to be used by mobile operators instead of building separate satellite systems. Equatys aims to deploy up to 2,800 satellites and operate across more than 100 MHz of globally coordinated mobile satellite spectrum. Al Hashmi emphasized the importance of spectrum access, comparing it to a highway that enables efficient communication, stating, "I can deliver the same service by building a bus because I own the spectrum. I can make it more efficient, easier and simpler, consume less power, and charge you a bus rate instead of charging you to buy a supercar for the same journey."

Space42 has entered exploratory agreements with UAE operator e& and Indonesia’s Telkomsat to explore technical integration, licensing, and potential field trials. Despite these advances, phones will still require compatible hardware and software, and operators must finalize commercial agreements while regulators approve spectrum use. The challenge remains to make satellite connectivity widely available, automatic, and affordable enough that users do not distinguish between terrestrial and satellite signals.

Al Hashmi envisions a seamless experience for users, stating, "You just want to make a phone call regardless of whether it is satellite or non-satellite. You do not want to worry about whether you are outside coverage, and when you make that call, you do not want it to kill your bank account at the end of the day." The UAE test marks a step forward in proving that satellite messaging via ordinary phones is feasible, with broader adoption and affordability as the next challenges.