Rogers and Lynk's satellite-to-mobile call in Canada

Dec 18, 2023

Rogers and Lynk Global, Inc. have made history by successfully completing Canada's first satellite-to-mobile phone call using Samsung S22 smartphones. This achievement occurred in Heart's Content, a location known for hosting the world's first transatlantic telegraph cable between Canada and Ireland over 150 years ago.

This milestone also involved testing SMS, data, and emergency alerting services.

The significance of this accomplishment lies in its potential to enhance connectivity in Canada's most remote regions, including rural farming communities. The technology, which relies on Lynk's low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and Rogers' national wireless spectrum, can close coverage gaps where traditional cellular wireless coverage is lacking.

One of the remarkable aspects of this technology is that it works seamlessly with existing smartphones, tablets, computers, and IoT devices. This versatility is particularly relevant for precision agriculture and data-driven farming practices, allowing farmers to harness the benefits of 5G technology for their operations.

Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador participated in the first satellite-to-mobile call with a Search and Rescue volunteer, emphasizing the technology's potential for public safety. In a vast and largely rural province like Newfoundland and Labrador, improved connectivity can have a significant impact on emergency response and overall safety.

Rogers has ambitious plans for satellite-to-mobile phone technology, slated to launch in 2024. Initially, the service will encompass SMS texting, mass notifications, and machine-to-machine AI applications, with voice and data services to follow. This rollout aims to bring wireless services to some of Canada's most remote areas, including wilderness regions, national parks, and rural highways.

The partnership between Rogers and Lynk aligns with a commitment to improving public safety and connectivity for all Canadians, regardless of their location. It marks a crucial step toward bridging the digital divide and harnessing the potential of 5G technology for rural communities, including farmers who rely on data-driven insights for their agricultural practices.

In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, this achievement stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in expanding connectivity and advancing public safety across Canada's diverse and expansive terrain.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.