Apple introduced the Emergency SOS service via satellite on its iPhone 14 series last year. This feature is likely to be available on the upcoming iPhone 15 series, which is scheduled to launch on September 12. Just days before the launch, a new report revealed that Apple is working to improve satellite connectivity on its iPhones. Reportedly, Apple and its satellite partner, Globalstar,are working with SpaceX to launch new satellites that will improve the Emergency SOS via the Satellite feature on iPhones.
SpaceX and Globalstar to launch satellite for Apple’s Emergency SOS
As a part of the deal, Globalstar will pay SpaceX $64 million to launch new satellites that will enhance the communication network for this feature. The payments will be made in installments over time, starting now and ending in 2025, when the satellites are expected to be launched into space.
The Emergency SOS via Satellite feature was introduced by Apple last year with the iPhone 14 models. This technology allows iPhone users to contact emergency services even when they are not within cellular or Wi-Fi range.
When Apple launched the iPhone 14 series, they said that the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature would be free for the first two years. After that, users would have to pay a fee to use it. Apple has not yet released any details about how much the fee will be, but with all the expenditures Apple is making to improve its reliability, it is now logical to assume that Apple will charge a small fee to use the SOS option.
Moreover, Globalstar has agreed to allocate 85% of its current and future network capacity to Apple’s iPhones. They will also provide and maintain all personnel, software, satellite systems, and more while maintaining minimum quality and coverage standards.
This is not the first time both these companies are working together. In 2022, Apple invested $450 million in developing the critical infrastructure that supports Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models. The majority of this funding went to Globalstar. Likewise, last year,Globalstar purchased satellite equipment worth $327 million from a Canadian company. Apple lent Globalstar $252 million to help with this purchase.
Emergency SOS via satellite is available in these countries: the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal.