Lynk demonstrates two-way voice calls by satellite

Sat2phone telecoms provider Lynk Global has released what it claims is the first ever video of a series of two-way voice calls between standard mobile phones connected via satellite. The video shows multiple voice calls made using standard mobile phones connected via Lynk’s ‘cell-towers-in-space’.

Lynk describes its technology as the world’s only patented, proven and commercially licensed satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone system. The company’s network, currently providing cell broadcast (emergency) alerts and two-way SMS messaging, is understood to be compatible with every existing mobile phone on the planet. In the future, Lynk will commercially launch voice and mobile broadband services.

In June, Palau’s PNCC became the first mobile network operator (MNO) in the world to launch Lynk’s sat2phone technology as a service for its subscribers; it was followed in August by Vodafone Cook Islands. In both instances, the initial sat2phone service will start as a beta service, expanding over time, with Lynk also providing backup services that enhance network resilience when natural disasters damage the ground network.

“With initial service now underway in Palau for SMS messaging, and with other countries to follow this year, the Lynk team is thrilled to demonstrate voice call capabilities,” said Tyghe Speidel, CTO and co-founder at Lynk. “While we continue to prioritise SMS texting service for our MNO partners in the near term, these initial voice call results highlight advancements in our technology and move us a step closer to delivering on our mission.”

Charles Miller, CEO and co-founder of Lynk, added, “When Lynk completed the first ever connection from a satellite to a standard phone on Earth in March 2020, we shared video to demonstrate our results to the world. Today we are doing the same for two-way voice calls.”

Image caption: Back in January, Lynk announced the successful launch and deployment of two more satellites in the company’s commercial cell-towers-in-space constellation. These satellites are covered by a commercial satellite-direct-to-standard-phone licence that Lynk received from the FCC in September 2022.