Photo: Carnegie Technologies.

Carnegie Technologies announced the launch of SatBridge, an enterprise-grade satellite hotspot that turns any smartphone into a satellite phone for reliable connectivity in remote locations or emergency situations.

SatBridge boasts a satellite phone antenna with 8 times the signal strength and performance of other handheld satellite phones, measuring about the size of a paperback book and weighing about three pounds. Industry uses for the hotspot include oil and gas exploration, remote mining, construction, exploration, architectural research, and more.

SatBridge has been in development for nearly three years in a partnership with the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI).