Satellite-to-phone service coming to Thailand

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Satellite-to-phone service to be available in Thailand next year

by Komsan Tortermvasana

August 27, 2025

A satellite-to-phone service using Globalstar's low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites is expected to be available in Thailand at the end of 2026.

The move will benefit satellite operator Thaicom, the local exclusive partner of Globalstar in providing LEO satellite services in Thailand, according to Thaicom chief executive Patompob Suwansiri.

He added that Globalstar is expanding its LEO satellite constellation's service capacity globally.

Thaicom is expanding its ground facility capacity in Pathum Thani province in order to accommodate the Globalstar service capacity expansion.

He expects this capacity expansion to enable Thai owners of iPhones with satellite connectivity to utilise the satellite-to-phone function on their devices by the end of 2026.

Mr Patompob said the function is currently available in roughly 20 countries, but not Thailand.

A satellite-to-phone service enables compatible mobile devices to connect to other phones via orbiting satellites while outside of cellular and WiFi coverage. It is expected to be the "next big thing" in the global mobile phone service sector.

Globalstar partnered with Apple in 2022 to enable a service that allows the iPhone 14 to send emergency messages from areas without a cellular network.

Later the service became available via other iPhone models and certain Android mobile phone models.

Mr Patompob said it was too early to predict what will be the most successful business model for satellite-to-phone services.

He added that Thaicom is monitoring the development of this service, which could become a new business opportunity for the firm in the regional market.

Thaicom began partnering with Globalstar two years ago to provide services via the latter's LEO satellites, enabling it to become Thailand's first pioneer of LEO satellite services.

The services include security and Internet of Things solutions, serving several industries such as tourism and maritime, along with fields such as nature conservation and defence.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... -next-year