Beaming small messages between custom made ground stations and 24 satellites whipping around the globe at 16,000 mile per hour.
From "Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lineups made possible by $450 million Apple investment in US infrastructure" posted Thursday on Apple's Newsroom:
A $450 million investment from Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund provides the critical infrastructure that supports Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models. Available to customers in the US and Canada beginning later this month, the new service will allow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models to connect directly to a satellite, enabling messaging with emergency services when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage...
Delivered in partnership with Globalstar, Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service utilizes the spectrum in L and S bands specially designated for mobile satellite services by ITU Radio Regulations. When an iPhone user makes an Emergency SOS via satellite request, the message is received by one of Globalstar’s 24 satellites in low-earth orbit traveling at speeds of approximately 16,000 mph. The satellite then sends the message down to custom ground stations located at key points all over the world.
Once received by a ground station, the message is routed to emergency services that can dispatch help, or a relay center with Apple-trained emergency specialists if the closest emergency services location is not able to receive text messages...
The ground stations use new high-power antennas designed and manufactured specifically for Apple by Cobham Satcom in Concord, California. Cobham’s employees engineer and manufacture the high-powered antennas, which will receive signals transmitted by the satellite constellation...
To connect iPhone with the satellite network, users communicate over the mobile satellite services spectrum, which Globalstar has operated in the US for the past 20 years. With upgraded ground stations, and soon an updated satellite constellation, Apple and Globalstar will ensure the spectrum continues to enable emergency services.
My take: So, when does it start?
This is the key part of the announcement IMO – this codifies Apple’s partnership both contractually and financially with Globalstar for the immediate future. Recall in previous discussions Apple locked up 85% of Globalstar’s network capacity for this and also gave Globalstar significant funding for its 3rd generation satellites to begin replacing aging 2nd Gen satellites. Apple likely help fund these satellites through quiet contracts since 2020.
At Globalstar, more than 300 employees support the new service.
“In February 2022, it was announced that Globalstar purchased 17 new satellites to continue its constellation built by MDA and Rocket Lab for $327 million. The satellites are expected to be launched by 2025.[26]”
Timing seems about right with Apple’s help.
I also think that Apple wanted the most controllable network and Globalstar fit the bill vs Iridium or StarLink. And since these new satellites will be latest tech and could be fine tuned to Apple’s needs, they’re getting the latest and greatest with a probably design life of at least 15 years. Plus not having to deal with Musk.
Apple’s timing, as usual, is well planned and impeccable. For US and Canada users, this will be fun. For rest of World, well, make some noise about why don’t you get it, and it’s possible more ground stations around the world would get enhanced. FOMO can drive rollout for additional countries and services expansion. Another “I didn’t know I wanted/needed this” feature by Apple. Will Android claim they were first with this too?
Abulafia found this:
“To use Emergency SOS via satellite, you need an iPhone 14 model. It will also require an iOS 16 software update coming in November 2022.”
It just added: support.Apple.com Spent 20 years crafting my custom
AI and the wiley creature is mostly using manufacturer’s support sites… we can search the entire archives of the New York Times, National Geographic, and the Wayback machine, among the massive bookmark set, I gave it access to.
Wikipedia is only to be used as a last resort.
Or better yet, in 2026-27 when most of the new satellites are up and running (assuming availability of launch vehicle dates and success), tie in Satellite 5G and potential 6G??? The mind boggles at the future. Plus I’d love to have Apple SpaceView from Globalstar’s satellites if they just include iPhone 16 ProMax camera arrays hardened for space use.
ped30 dot com/2022/10/17/apple-satellite-iphone-garmin/
That would be the real home run. Not sending pre-configured SMS messages to a call center. It seems outdated before it even launches
I’m sure the technical hurdles are huge, or Apple would have gone that route
As the Global Star satellite system gets upgraded along with iPhones going forward – it’s only a matter of time before it does a lot more than just SOS.
I mean, think about the one obvious feature that would be wildly popular that would change everything?
When Apple no longer has to rely on the carriers. Years away, but it seems like that’s where this roadmap is heading.
Besides the obvious aesthetics, Apple stands for privacy, auto-syncing seamlessly with all its other products, and safety. The satellite SOS and auto crash calling is all about the latter.
Who else could do this?
“As the Global Star satellite system gets upgraded along with iPhones going forward – it’s only a matter of time before it does a lot more than just SOS.”
“Who else could do this?”
T Mobile
“https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-takes-coverage-above-and-beyond-with-spacex”
“From the middle of Death Valley to the Great Smoky Mountains or even that persistent neighborhood dead zone, T-Mobile and SpaceX have a vision to give customers a crucial additional layer of connectivity in areas previously unreachable by cell signals from any provider. And the service aims to work with the phone already in your pocket. The vast majority of smartphones already on T-Mobile’s network will be compatible with the new service using the device’s existing radio. No extra equipment to buy. It just works.”
“To provide this service, the companies will create a new network, broadcast from Starlink’s satellites using T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum nationwide. This true satellite-to-cellular service will provide nearly complete coverage almost anywhere a customer can see the sky.
With this technology, T-Mobile is planning to give customers text coverage practically everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters, even outside the signal of T-Mobile’s network starting with a beta in select areas by the end of next year after SpaceX’s planned satellite launches. Text messaging, including SMS, MMS and participating messaging apps, will empower customers to stay connected and share experiences nearly everywhere. Afterwards, the companies plan to pursue the addition of voice and data coverage.”
But space is BIG, and with proper care taken to address the issue of interfering orbits, there’s enough room for multiple players.
In fact, IMHO, space rights is the next major world-wide hot button issue the civilized world is going to be increasingly forced to address.
“duopoly by Verizon and SpaceX is just asking for trouble” That would be T Mobile NOT Verizon and they are not the only players out there. I’m just pointing out that Apple already have company and they will not be limited to iPhone 14 model.
“That would be T Mobile NOT Verizon…”
Sorry, T Mobile not Verizon. But the point remains.
“…and they are not the only players out there.”
For what you’re talking about, (“To provide this service, the companies will create a new network, broadcast from Starlink’s satellites using T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum nationwide…”), SpaceX IS pretty much looking to be “the only player out there”, at least for a while. So if they “lock in” T Mobile, it’s a duopoly.
But you knew all that….
“Wintel was not a duopoly.”
Absent Apple , it would have been.
The touchstone is lack of competition.
Where oh where did I read that Apple partnered with GlobalStar because the other satellite services weren’t as flexible in allowing Apple to tweak their offering. GlobalStar welcomed Apple’s input AND money. The Sat antennas on Globalstars next gen satellites were designed by Apple.
Like I’ve said since the SOS feature was announced, Apple has something planned for a C2025 launch. There’s just too many technical initiatives coming together then for there not to be something major going to debut then.
inReach Mini 2, an active satellite subscription is required. You can opt for an annual package or a flexible month-to-month plan.
More in C2026.
So Global star has a minimally viable system now and was probably facing bankruptcy prior to Apple’s financial infusion. They need to launch their third satellite version or they may start losing their current coverage. Even when done, they will have relatively few satellites doing a lot of work. The launcher then need is still unproven. It still needs to prove that it can stick the landing on a regular basis.
Starlink needs its next generation satellites launched in order to provide the service to TMobile so its not ready yet. Once deployed, it will use more than 10 x the number of satellites. Its launcher is also yet proven but obviously the company has proven it can stick a landing with legs. A failure at landing, however, could damage the launch pad, and really set back the program.
Am I missing a third competitor?