Overview
The sudden release of the Huawei Mate 60 Pro attracted widespread attention. A recent international teardown and review suggested the flagship smartphone might represent technologies beyond 5G, such as 5.5G or even early 6G research. One visible feature to examine is its satellite calling capability.
Satellite Calling and 5.5G
Satellite calling is regarded as an important component of 5.5G networks. Unlike terrestrial communication networks, satellite communications are not limited by terrain or geographic features and can provide seamless global coverage. The integration of satellite calling into a consumer smartphone both reflects Huawei's progress in mobile communications and suggests advances toward 6G research.
Performance Comparison
Speed tests comparing the Xiaomi 13 and the Mate 60 Pro at the same location found that the Xiaomi 13 measured a download speed of 113.8 Mbps and an upload speed of 29.55 Mbps, while the Mate 60 Pro recorded a download speed up to 206 Mbps and an upload speed of 42.05 Mbps. This raises the question of how the Mate 60 Pro, which does not explicitly advertise 5G support, can outperform some 5G devices.
Huawei provided some context in a message to users: the company reported another breakthrough in satellite communications and stated that the Mate 60 Pro is the world's first mass-market smartphone to support satellite calling, allowing users to place and receive satellite calls even in the absence of terrestrial network signals.
Huawei and 5.5G Roadmap
5.5G is described as offering higher speeds, lower latency, and more connections than 5G, plus new features such as enhanced uplink bandwidth, real-time interaction, and sensing integration. In June, Huawei's rotating chair Meng Wanzhou presented the 5.5G concept and positioned 5.5G as a path toward 6G. Yang Chaobin, president of Huawei's ICT products and solutions, announced at the 2023 MWC Shanghai 5G Advanced forum that Huawei planned to release a full set of commercial 5.5G network equipment in 2024.
Tiantong-1 Satellite and Coverage
Observers noted that the satellite service used by the Mate 60 Pro likely leverages the Tiantong-1 system. Tiantong-1 has launched multiple satellites, with the Tiantong-1 03 satellite deployed in early 2021. The Tiantong-1 satellites can integrate with ground mobile networks to form a space-ground integrated mobile communication network, providing around-the-clock voice, short message, and data services for China and neighboring regions, the Middle East, Africa, and much of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
China Telecom Satellite's site describes the Tiantong service as using a dedicated number block to provide satellite mobile voice, SMS, data, and value-added services, aiming to fill coverage gaps where terrestrial networks are unavailable. Typical application scenarios include maritime fisheries, emergency rescue, tourism and exploration, and Internet of Things deployments.
Service Characteristics and Limitations
The satellite communication used here is a high-power radio link with transmit power greater than 2.5 W. For reference, 5G device transmit power in typical modes is around 0.4 W. This higher power consumption can affect phone standby time. Current satellite service supports voice and SMS only and typically incurs higher fees than standard terrestrial services.
Unlike traditional satellite phones, allowing smartphones to use satellite calling lowers the barrier to access, avoiding the need for separate, specialized equipment. Huawei filed multiple satellite communication patents as early as 2018 and built the supporting technology, patents, and supply chain by the time the Mate 50 launched in 2022.
Mate 60 series users can enable the "direct-to-satellite" service at operator outlets to turn the phone into a satellite-capable mobile terminal. Carriers have introduced specific satellite plans for the Mate 60 Pro with lower fees than traditional satellite phone services.
Outlook
While debate continues about whether the Mate 60 Pro should be classified as a 5.5G device, its satellite calling feature and Huawei's strategic moves in future communication technologies are noteworthy. Huawei's autumn product launch, scheduled for September 12, is expected to provide further details.
