OPPO inks deal with ISRO to build solutions via NaviC messaging service

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and OPPO India have signed an MoU to develop India-centric solutions using Navigation with Indian Constellation’s (NaviC) short messaging service on smartphones built by the Chinese company.  

Named after Indian fishermen and navigators, NaviC is a satellite navigation system that provides regional navigation services to India and adjoining regions up to 1,500 km beyond the Indian mainland.  

According to scientists, it provides more accurate real-time positioning than the widely used Global Positioning System (GPS). 

Read more: Five Indian space-tech startups to follow in 2022 

NaviC includes 7 satellites. Two of them are used for transmitting short messaging services to provide information in areas with poor or no communication. It is used to provide information on disasters in oceans and to keep fishermen informed about potential fishing zones. The messaging service can also be used for commercial purposes.  

OPPO said the alliance will facilitate the exchange of technical information with the Indian space agency and will be used to develop ready-to-use solutions for Indian users by integrating NavIC messaging service in future smartphones launched in India by OPPO.  

"Under our latest MoU, we will support ISRO with our industry-leading R&D capabilities to provide a seamless experience to the users of the NavIC application. OPPO will invest in further scaling the product with its competitive and experienced R&D team," Tasleem Arif, Vice President, India and R&D Head at OPPO India, said in a statement. 

K Sivan, Secretary, Department of Space (DOS) and Chairman of ISRO praised OPPO India for scaling the application of NavIC through its R&D initiatives.  

He also urged OPPO, India to include NavIC in all their upcoming devices.  

NaviC is supported by several smartphone vendors including Xiaomi and Realme. In 2020, Qualcomm had announced that smartphones running on some of its new chipsets will use NavIC in addition to GPS.