Direct satellite services on the smartphone: How do they work and when they come to Portugal? – Telecommunications

Internet access services through Satellite Direct 2 devices (D2D), without the need for additional antennas, are still taking their first actions. But tests, which started in the United States Between Starlink and T-Mobile operatorStart expanding to other territories. After successful telephone calls, the Companies are expected to start this service to the public by the end of 2024.

Japanese operator AU, which belongs to the KDDI group, Announced At the beginning of the Starlink D2D connectivity service at the beginning of April, Being the first operator in Asia to provide commercial technology in Japan.

OS The tests performed in the United States are optimistic, leading to leading smartphone manufacturers to update their models in favor of D2D Technology. There are currently about 50 models smartphones to communicate with the iPhone 14, Google Pixel 9 Family, Motorola Rajar and Edge and Moto G versions with Apple devices. Samsung side of the galaxy family and sams from S21 and folding flip and folding from the third generation. And of course, the operator is the models of T-Mobile Revval 7.

Considering these first steps, Anakom addresses the context of technology in Europe, especially in Portugal. The The regulator has already said that technology is already for this purpose and “depends on the commercial offering of satellite information service operators to make it available in the Portuguese market”.

Oh The regulator states that the development of satellite communication technologies, including developing D2D, is very careful. It is explained that this type of communication is currently under review of international forums and that the radio is at the level of control and services.

However, in some countries with extensive territories without mobile coverage, in the case of the United States and Australia, D2D services have already been allowed to provide services“As long as they work without protection and other neighboring administration services, it does not interfere with,” said Anakam. In the case of the United States, the regulator represents that there are a set of limits such as power limits released by the satellite in the border areas.

Regarding Europe, some technical issues, “It is difficult to resolve what is happening in the US interference in transfronist zones, depending on a large number of countries and their boundaries”.

OS Next World Radiation Conference (WRC-27), as well as at the European level, is discussed by Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy Group (D2D services in RSPG (RSPG), Refers to Anacom. There are international compatibility studies of UIT-R to determine the appointment in WRC-27, the frequency ranges to authorize D2D services.

In Europe, it was placed in a public consultation, which ended March 28, draft of the Regulatory Framework for D2D, “The use of the frequency ranges allocated to the landlord mobile service is now given to mobile operators and mobile operatorsLike satellite mobile service series. ”

In this sense, as the European regulatory policy is yet to be developed, Portugal is looking forward to providing D2D services.

Remarks in Portugal of satellite communication with antenna

To understand the context of D2D Communications, the SAPO TEK regulator with the antenna, the SpaceX Starlink or the Amazon Project in the future, has been asked to be a satellite services condition. Until the end of 2024, The total access to Starlink represents less than 1% on a fixed internet.

A. Anacom makes it clear that the offer of electronic communication networks and services in Portugal is free to comply with the Law No. 16/2022 of August 16 And “Radio Frequency Spectrum is only subject to general authority without partisan to the use of spectrum and numbering resources. It is not subject to any regulator’s decision or anecom’s advance action. But the companies that want to serve the regulator are required to communicate in advance.

In an updated list by Anacom, Available to the publicSatellite communication networks, including Starlink and Amazon Kuper Portugal, have been recorded. Operators like MEO and US are on the list as Chanda Television Communications Providers (TVS) with Satellite Access (DTH). In the fourth quarter of 2024, the number of TVs to DTH represented 6.5% of the total subscribers of the service, decreased by 7.5% compared to the same period last year. Access to TVs is falling as long as the maximum values ​​are reached in the first first 2012.

As shown in the picture Satellite networks In providers to work in Portugal Listed companies such as Startink, Nextweb, Quantis Global, Ecostar Mobile, Iridium Italy and Leosat Portugal.

In relation to the advantages and disadvantages of satellite service in relation to 5G and fiber optics, Anacom highlights technologies have different features. Fiber optics has high speed, low delays, high reliability and large data volume transmission capacity. But it is associated with high implementation costs, especially on networks in rural or remote areas.

Oh 5G has high speed, low delay, adds to the mobility and support of a large number of mobile devices. But it refers to coverage failures, especially in shade or geographical relief.

In this case, Satellite communication has the advantage of its global coverage, including remote areas and without an earthquake, mobile or fixed infrastructure, which has immediate availability and high mobility degree. But it provides great delays and more adverse weather conditions such as rain. Therefore, according to Anacom, the choice between technology depends on the specific needs of each user.

Oh The regulator is able to access offers through a more affordable satellite, as the regulator enters the implementation of new constellations (lower land orbit – Loo). “This technology contributes to improving connectivity in more backward areas, promoting spatial coordination and digital additions.”

In Europe, the only commercial service in operation, an emergency message service in the D2D framework Available by Apple in 12 countries containing Portugal. This allows the use of radio protocol ownership with global star operator satellites to use iPhone communication (from version 14), then they are referred to civil defense. According to Anacom, Apple uses the management terminals and their smartphones using the satellite mobile service frequency.

Anacom recognizes the value of satellite information and the technology suggested for an emergency network

The regulator recognizes the decisive value of satellite communication in emergency, security and civil defense services in critical circumstances. “These allow them to ensure the elasticity of communications and reinforce the elasticity of communications in areas where there are failures of ground networks, especially in natural disasters or infrastructure that does not harm or exist”.

Oh In critical scenes such as sesma, forest fires, floods or severe storms, the D2D can confirm an active conversation between the intervention groups such as firefighters, defenders and security forces, helping to coordinate activitiesReal -Time Information Sharing and rapid answers to the affected population. And in the failure of traditional mobile networks, it adds to Anakom that these services allow us to increase the elasticity of national communication systems that are an automatic B plan.

“Anakom has highlighted the importance of satellite communication for many years. After the 2017 forest fires, the importance of satellite connections to maintain operational communication in emergency cases is highlighted as significant alternativesTherefore, it will strengthen the response and coordination of organizations involved in civil defense, ”the regulator said.

In the 2017 fire analysis that destroyed the infrastructure of telecommunication, the population is separated for daysA report has been made 27 actions To protect the network, including satellite connections alternative to failures.