Turkcell, the largest mobile operator in Turkey, and satellite-direct-to-mobile-telecoms (Sat2Phone) provider Lynk Global have announced a contract signing signalling the start of initial Sat2Phone services utilising what Lynk calls its ‘cell-towers-in-space’.
This collaboration is anticipated to complement network resiliency and mobile coverage across Turkey, benefiting the local population, businesses and visitors. So far, however, there appears to be no timeline for the rollout of the services.
Turkcell is a digital operator offering a portfolio of digital services along with voice, messaging, data and IPTV services on its mobile and fixed networks. Turkcell Group companies operate in Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus and Northern Cyprus.
Lynk is a patented, proven, and commercially licensed satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone system. Today, Lynk allows commercial subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified mobile devices. It is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 35 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries.
The initial Sat2Phone service will begin with SMS, with plans to expand to include voice and data, delivering an urban-like mobile experience anywhere, no matter how remote. Lynk says this enhanced connectivity has the potential to offer life-saving emergency alerts and SMS warnings in areas vulnerable to natural disasters.
As we reported this week, Lynk Global announced on Monday that it has successfully tested its Sat2Phone technology in Argentina for the first time in collaboration with Telefónica.
