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Nov. 19, 2008

Long gone are the days of bulky and cumbersome satellite phones that people have been hauling around and became used to in the past few years.

The new generation of user terminals will be much more like modern mobile phones and PDAs that consumers have come to love for their small-size and usefulness.

Jani Lyrintzis is director of wireless solutions at EB, the Finnish company formerly known as Elektrobit, and says that EB is introducing its new satellite-terrestrial Connectivity Module prototype.

Lyrintzis says it will be ready when the satellite-terrestrial networks (like those being developed by TerreStar Networks) are launched.

Better mobile devices mean more end-user applications can be used over the satellite links, without being limited by traditional cellular coverage, Lyrintzis said. At the CTIA show in April, EB and TerreStar showcased a dual-mode satellite-terrestrial HSPA reference design handset in a PDA form factor.

Lytintzis added that EB has been in discussions with U.S. government entities, but so far nothing has been publicly announced.

EB has already identified several areas in which its satellite-terrestrial module can be applied. One of them is in-vehicle "infotainment".

EB's new module can be integrated into a vehicle and will provide connectivity for new front and rear-seat applications and wireless services.

In the area of traditional LMR (land mobile radio), the module can be integrated into LMR handsets or terminals to offer broadband IP coverage for first responders and public safety, said Jarno Majava, director of EB connectivity products.

Satellite connectivity becomes especially critical during natural disasters when land-based facilities are down, such as the now infamous Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans on Aug. 31, 2005.

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Source: EB.