BULLITT TO LAUNCH SATELLITE CONNECTED SMARTPHONE

Reading-based mobile phone maker Bullitt Group is planning to launch a satellite connected smartphone.

The firm is working with a chipset manufacturer and a satellite network to develop a messaging service for their devices capable of seamlessly switching between WiFi, cellular and satellite networks with a view to launching early next year.

Bullitt have been developing a customised chipset, application and core network.

The company is known for creating hardwearing phones sold through the Motorola and Cat brands and sees the move into satellite phones as extending the reliability of its handsets.

The satellite messaging service will be available to anyone using a Bullitt phone, regardless of their network operator, as long as they are signed up to the satellite service plan.

Richard Wharton, Bullitt’s co-founder, said: “What we’ve got is a smartphone launching in February that will be capable of two-way messaging, via satellite, with global coverage.”

Bullitt’s announcement comes at a time when satellite capability is at the forefront of tech news with Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 providing the ability to contact emergency services via text message when users are out of coverage.

Richard added: “We want to work with [network operators] because there are challenges providing cellular coverage to 100 per cent geography of a country. What we are offering is that infill where there are coverage black spots.”