ISRO Announces Launch of Qualcomm Chipsets Compatible with NavIC, Smartphones to Come with Indian Version of GPS

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has just announced that it has provided consultation for Qualcomm towards enabling NavIC capability in their Snapdragon mobile chipset platforms. Qualcomm Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, had announced support for Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), in select chipset platforms of the company last year.

ISRO has now officially announced that these chipsets are being released by Qualcomm Technologies. “The release of chipsets will help accelerate the adoption of NavIC by smartphone OEMs. The OEMs can now release any new models for Indian market which are NavIC enabled, thus eventually making NavIC as a standard feature in the upcoming handsets, applications, processors, etc. It will also enhance the geolocation capabilities of smartphones within the coverage region of NavIC,” said ISRO in a statement.

This would mean that smartphones in India could now be unveiled with the Indian version of GPS. Earlier this month, PTI had reported that ISRO and Xiaomi were in ‘advanced’ stages of discussions over the provision of chipsets that support NaVIC. “Qualcomm has announced that its chip is going to have NaVIC and they are releasing it. Now almost Xiaomi is in agreement to have it. Xiaomi may launch its mobile phones with NavIC chipsets,” said the PTI report quoting an ISRO official.

Qualcomm India today hosted its “Qualcomm Snapdragon Media Day” wherein an announcement regarding the same was made. “Stay tuned for exciting news from SnapdragonMediaDay on our industry-leading products delivering intelligent experiences for gaming, entertainment & more!  @XiaomiIndia @realmecareIN,” tweeted the official account of Qualcomm India, wherein Xiaomi and RealMe have been tagged.

However, Qualcomm India announced the launch of three new chipsets that support NaVIC. "We’re happy to announce three new #Snapdragon Mobile Platforms: 720G, 662, and 460. While they’re each revolutionary in their own way, you can expect incredible connectivity enhancements, on-device AI, and immersive entertainment from all," tweeted Qualcomm India.

ISRO NaVIC on Xiaomi Smartphones

Manu Kumar Jain, Global VP and MD, Xiaomi India has confirmed that the high-end chipset from Qualcomm will be deployed in Xiaomi handsets. " Excited!  Xiaomi will be one of the first brands to launch the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon high-end premium chipsets!

•  Flagship SD865
  Premium SD765G
  High end SD720G

Also working to bring 5G devices," said Manu Kumar Jain in a tweet.

What is ISRO Navic? What Are its Benefits?

NavIC is India’s autonomous regional satellite navigation system that provides accurate real-time positioning and timing services. The Space Applications Centre says that NAVIC will provide standard positioning service to all users with a position accuracy of up to 5m, which is even better than the Global Positioning System (GPS) position accuracy of 20 to 30m. Some of the applications of NaVIC are listed as follows:

• Integration with mobile phones.
• Vehicle tracking and fleet management.
• Visual and voice navigation for drivers.
• Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers.
• Disaster Management.
• Precise Timing.
• Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation.