Historic call to premier of N.L., using satellite-to-mobile connection, is a leap in remote worker safety

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey (right) completes first call with a Search and Rescue volunteer.

Rogers and Lynk Global have made what they call a “historic” call to the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador — the first successful satellite-to-mobile connection in Canadian history, they said. It’s a leap in communication that could help employers stay in contact with remote and lone workers anywhere in the country.

Off-the-shelf Samsung S22 smartphones were used to make the call in Heart’s Content, N.L., a location with a history of communication firsts. It was in that town where the world’s first transatlantic telegraph cable took place between Canada and Ireland over 150 years ago.

“We’re bringing coverage to Canada’s most remote areas to improve public safety and to connect communities that aren’t connected today,” said Tony Staffieri, president and CEO, Rogers. “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.”

Technology available on existing smartphones

The phone call was made between Andrew Furey, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association using Lynk’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and Rogers national wireless spectrum. Wireless spectrum ensures this technology works on existing smartphones so customers don’t need to install customized apps or not yet available hardware, Rogers said in a press release.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is a vast, largely rural province, and connectivity is an important issue for us,” said 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.”

Rogers to launch satellite-to-mobile phone technology in 2024

Rogers will launch satellite-to-mobile phone technology in 2024, starting with SMS texting, mass notifications and machine-to-machine AI applications, and then expand the service to include voice and data services quickly thereafter, it said.

This new technology will deliver wireless services to the country’s most remote wilderness, national parks and rural highways.

“The Lynk team is proud to showcase a comprehensive range of Sat2Phone capabilities with Rogers, including data, voice, messaging, and mass notifications,” said Charles Miller, co-founder and CEO, Lynk. “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.”