Industry demonstrates satellite text messaging capability in Uzbekistan

Move comes amidst growth of direct-to-device communications technology.

Industry stakeholders in Uzbekistan have shown that satellite-enabled smartphone text and push-to-talk messaging can be tapped in the country.

Communications company Viasat collaborated with Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, broadband satellite service provider UZ-SAT, and telecom operator Uztelecom to demonstrate direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity in commercially available Android smartphones.

Using a mass-market smartphone that was connected to a traditional terrestrial cellular network and another unit that was linked via satellite through a companion device, Viasat showed the phones sending and receiving messages over its satellite network during a demonstration in the city of Samarkand.          

The application-based messages were described as a first for the Central Asian nation.

"D2D is a growing communications technology which allows everyday devices like mobile phones, vehicles, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices to connect to satellites, without the need for dedicated satellite terminals," noted Viasat, pointing to the potential for satellites to expand connectivity in Uzbekistan.

Viasat Senior Vice President for Advanced Non-Terrestrial Solutions Sandeep Moorthy commented: "Countries emerging as technology leaders like the Republic of Uzbekistan are rightly excited about the potential for non-terrestrial networks.

"Through standards-based satellite connectivity, we can bring connectivity to millions more devices in areas currently underserved by cellular networks, with benefits for safety, sustainability, and efficiency."

Viasat, which acquired Inmarsat three years ago, is located in 24 countries. Its satellite network uses 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network standards and dedicated Mobile Satellite Services spectrum.