Satellite connected cell phones
The New Zealand Search and Rescue Secretariat’s Innovation in Technolgy forum has been closely watching the rapid development of these technologies, which have been operating in various forms around the world since September 2021. Matthew Wheble, Senior Advisor – Kaitohutohu Matua at the Secretariat, is the convenor of the forum. “There are many exciting opportunities for the SAR sector and for public safety, but also there are risks as the technology is adopted and matures,” says Matthew. "It is important that the SAR sector is involved in public education messaging, and that we proactively address any risks as they arise.”
Regarding the technology itself, there are two broad models of connectivity:
- Unmodified phones. Existing phones connecting with text and even-tually data, to powerful newly-established satellite networks.
- Modified phones. Next generation phones with specialised hardware, connecting to existing satellite networks to provide location sharing and two-way emergency text messaging.
In New Zealand, telecommunications company One NZ is part-nering with satellite provider Starlink using the unmodified model. Their competitor, 2Degrees, has announced a trial with Lynk Global. At the time of writing, the other main mobile company, Spark, had not announced which satellite provider they would be working with. Companies pursuing the unmodified model are initially promising text messaging, with voice, data and broadband on the near horizon.
The Apple iPhone 14 uses the modified model, announcing satellite connectivity for emergency alert messaging and tracking functions on 15 May this year. Phone microchip manufacturer Qualcomm and satellite network provider Iridium have partnered to launch a similar functionality for the next generation Android phones, scheduled for the second half of 2023. Companies pursuing the modified model are essentially embedding the function of an existing Satellite Emergency Notification Device (SEND – e.g. Garmin InReach or SPOT) into a phone.
“As technology improves, the ability to communicate via satellite connected phones will lead to fewer situations where a person who is lost or in distress is unable to ask for help,” says Matthew. “Likewise, improved connectivity between SAR assets and incident management teams is sure to benefit effectiveness during operations.”
However, there are risks that some may place an over-reliance on this new technology until the real-world capabilities and limitations are widely understood. An example of such a limitation is the require-ment for line of sight between the phone and the satellite; something which is not always achievable in rugged terrain. Also, the limitations of the phones themselves are often overlooked. These include worse battery life, less ruggedisation and more complex user interface when compared with contemporary distress beacons. For these reasons, satellite connected phones should be considered an added safety measure, rather than a replacement for a distress beacon.
At the SAR sector interface, more commercial intermediaries between persons at risk and SAR coordinating authorities raises implications around trusted contact data sharing and reliable handover processes. Likewise, more people with better access to an alerting device could result in more requests for assistance and higher work-loads on emergency services.
More broadly, we have seen how the SAR sector is becoming increasingly involved during civil emergencies. Having direct phone to satellite connectivity in the future should provide additional com-munications resilience during these events, but if everyone tries to message at once, will the system be able to cope?
Overall, if the systems work as the manufacturers claim, this technology could provide a significant boost to public safety. As the technology beds in, the NZSAR Secretariat will continue to support public education and SAR prevention messaging to address these issues, as well as facilitate collaboration between our sector and the technology providers.
This article was first published in the September 2023 issue of Link magazine.
Feature image: Satellite connected phones should be considered an added safety measure, rather than a replacement for a distress beacon. Courtesy Dan Clearwater