Today Qualcomm announced that it will begin building new chips that will allow for combined cellular/satellite phones. Qualcomm struck an agreement with satellite providers Mobile Satellite Ventures and ICO Global Communications. It will incorporate their technology into new baseband chips for use in cell phones so that phones can use both cellular networks and satellite networks for voice services. The chips will be ready for manufacturers to incorporate into phones beginning in 2010. Qualcomm and partners hope that they can achieve economies of scale so that the new chips can be be used in mass market handsets.

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