- Rogers (TSX:RCI.A) and Lynk Global have made Canada’s first successful satellite-to-mobile phone call, enabling coverage in the country’s most remote areas
- The companies will launch the service in 2024
- Rogers is a leading Canadian wireless, cable and media company
- Rogers stock (TSX:RCI.A) is up by 1.72 per cent year-over-year, but has given back 11.53 per cent since 2018
Rogers (TSX:RCI.A) and Lynk Global have made Canada’s first successful satellite-to-mobile phone call, enabling coverage in the country’s most remote areas.
The call was undertaken using Samsung S22 smartphones in Heart’s Content – the site of the first transatlantic telegraph cable between Canada and Ireland more than 150 years ago – between Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association.
Lynk’s low-earth orbit satellites and Rogers’ national wireless spectrum joined forces for the milestone, as well as successful testing of SMS messaging, data and emergency alerting services. The use of the wireless spectrum is especially significant, as it allows the use of existing smartphones, meaning customers will not have to install a specialized app or new hardware.
Rogers will launch satellite-to-mobile phone service in 2024, beginning with SMS texting, mass notifications and machine-to-machine AI applications, later expanding to voice and data.
The technology will bring wireless services to Canada’s most remote areas, including national parks and rural highways.
“We’re bringing coverage to Canada’s most remote areas to improve public safety and to connect communities that aren’t connected today,” Tony Staffieri, Rogers’ president and CEO, said in a statement. “We’re proud to work with Lynk to bring Canadians the very latest global technology that will give them access to 911 and wireless services.”
“The Lynk team is proud to showcase a comprehensive range of satellite-to-phone capabilities with Rogers, including data, voice, messaging and mass notifications,” said Charles Miller, Lynk’s co-founder and CEO. “Our mission is aligned with Rogers’ deep commitment to ensure connectivity for all Canadians no matter where they live, work and travel. We are excited to be on this journey towards commercial service with Rogers.”
“Newfoundland and Labrador is a vast, largely rural province, and connectivity is an important issue for us,” added Furey. “As premier, I am excited about the breakthrough technology Rogers is testing to improve network coverage and the safety of people in our province and across the country.”
The news follows Rogers’ divestment from Cogeco to reduce its debt load.
Rogers is a leading Canadian wireless, cable and media company.
Lynk Global offers the world’s only patented, proven, commercially licensed and operational satellite-to-mobile phone system. The service’s commercial rollout includes more than 30 mobile network operator service contracts covering more than 50 countries.
Rogers stock (TSX:RCI.A) last traded at C$62.59 per share. The stock is up by 1.72 per cent year-over-year, but has given back 11.53 per cent since 2018.
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