Canadian telco giant Telus, domestic company TerreStar Solutions (operating under the Strigo brand that provides mobile communications services in remote areas) and Skylo, a non-terrestrial-network (NTN) service provider, say they have achieved Canada’s f

 

 

Canadian telco giant Telus, domestic company TerreStar Solutions (operating under the Strigo brand that provides mobile communications services in remote areas) and Skylo, a non-terrestrial-network (NTN) service provider, say they have achieved Canada's first two-way communication between smartphones and satellites. The three companies conducted a trial in which they combined a technology platform provided by Skylo, TerreStar's spectrum and service platform, and Telus's expertise in network building. Telus explained that the trial made it possible for the companies to use TerreStar's existing geostationary satellite to conduct voice calls, send text messages between smartphones and connect to internet of things (IoT) devices. "This is a bold step toward a future without mobile no-coverage zones, one where all Canadians can feel safe and connected," the Canadian telco noted in a statement. The company plans to continue exploring the technology and hopes to introduce devices that run it to customers in 2024. Find out more.