Source: Apple's planned satellite capabilities for the iPhone are focused on emergencies, enabling texts and crisis reports in areas without cellular coverage

- Apple plans an emergency-reporting tool for future iPhones — Apple Inc.'s push to bring satellite capabilities to the iPhone …

Bloomberg 2021-08-31 Mark Gurman

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple’s reported plan framed satellite connectivity as a narrow safety feature rather than general-purpose mobile access: future iPhones would send texts and crisis reports where cellular networks are unavailable. It matters because the later record shows that concept becoming Emergency SOS service in the US and Canada, initially bundled with iPhone 14 models.

The rollout then moved from product announcement to infrastructure and geographic expansion, including Apple’s Globalstar satellite-capacity agreement and planned availability in four additional European markets.

First-order effects

Apple’s future iPhone roadmap gains an emergency communications layer for users beyond cellular coverage, while keeping the use case constrained to low-bandwidth assistance rather than ordinary messaging.
The later hands-on coverage indicates the service’s practical trade-off: satellite texting works but takes time, making emergency communication—not real-time connectivity—the immediate product fit.

Second-order effects

Globalstar becomes a key supplier to Apple’s emergency service, with Apple’s later commitment to fund 95% of approved satellite capital expenditure tying iPhone feature delivery to network buildout.
Geographic expansion turns emergency satellite access into a regional launch and support challenge for Apple, rather than a feature limited to its initial North American availability.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues pairing device features with dedicated satellite capacity, handset makers may increasingly treat emergency connectivity as a vertically coordinated service spanning hardware, software, and network partners.
The pattern points to a more layered access model in which cellular coverage remains primary while satellite links serve a constrained resilience function for high-need situations.

The trend: Consumer devices are adding satellite links as a fallback access layer for emergencies, backed by tighter partnerships between handset vendors and satellite-network operators.

Discussion

@saschasegan Sascha Segan on x
OKAY. I think I may have gotten to the bottom of this “iPhone 13 will include satellite connectivity” rumor, and it could be “iPhone Math” levels of game-of-telephone. The key: Globalstar.
@erratarob @erratarob on x
3/ Instead of WiFi, most countries assign it to GlobalStar for use with their “Mobile Satellite Service” (MSS). It's the downlink channel to their satphones, “SPOT” watches, data to oil platforms, satellite messengers, and similar things. https://twitter.com/...
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
New story: Apple plans satellite capabilities for iPhone for emergencies, including texting emergency services and emergency contacts + a new service for making SOS calls in crises like plane crashes and fires. Features are unlikely to launch this year. https://www.bloomberg.com/…
@rjonesy Ryan Jones on x
Green bubbles Blue bubbles Gray bubbles?! Travesty if emergency texts aren't red bubbles. https://www.bloomberg.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@erratarob @erratarob on x
6/ Their strategy: take this 11.5-MHz wide band that's been licensed for satellite services and seek permission to use it for terrestrial services. They've so far convinced the US, Canada, Brazil, and Kenya, and applications are still pending in Europe.
@erratarob @erratarob on x
4/ It's long been popular among hikers for their SPOT watches. If you get in trouble, like falling off a mountain, then press a button, the watch communicates to the satellite, and rescuers will come get you. But of course, phone/data are their biggest earners. https://twitter.co…
@tmfassociates Tim Farrar on x
As expected, this service will support texting but not voice calls. One question is whether Globalstar will build a replacement satellite system, given the existing satellites are already 8-11 years old https://twitter.com/...
@erratarob @erratarob on x
8/ In other words, if a terrestrial transmitter is nearby, your SPOT watch will talk to it instead of a satellite. Only as you walk away will the watch switch to the satellite. I have questions whether this will actually work. So do many others.
@jcenters Josh Centers on x
The iPhone 13 might have a chip that would allow for satellite calls, but I doubt it'll actually be able to make satellite calls. Sat phones have huge antennas and need their own (kind of expensive) plans.
@erratarob @erratarob on x
10/ But apparently that is ok, because of the LAA ("Licensed Assisted Spectrum") trick. What you do is used the licensed spectrum, which is guaranteed free of interference, for critical stuff, and then normal WiFi spectrum for non-critical data.
@erratarob @erratarob on x
12/ BTW, this is FCC document that describes all the concerns the FCC had. It's a fun read, as it includes concerns from their competitors who oppose granting this terrestrial addition to their spectrum license. https://www.globalstar.com/...
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
The functionality here gives me memories of the Breitling Emergency Watch — where you pull out and twist the second crown to call emergency services. Was ideal for pilots. (Also the inspiration for SOS mode on the Apple Watch) https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@jcenters Josh Centers on x
And you're looking at $40-$55 per month for a mere 10 minutes of service. https://satellitephonestore.com/ ...
@erratarob @erratarob on x
9/ Part of the compromise is that these terrestrial transmitters will only work at really low power, meaning, often only within buildings. Also, 11.5-MHz is pretty narrow. And the entire service must fit within the band (instead of normal LTE which uses multiple bands).
@erratarob @erratarob on x
7/ The obvious problem is that if there is a nearby TERRESTRIAL (on land) transmitter, it'll overwhelm the signal from SATELLITE (in space) transmitters. The way around this is to have the terrestrial devices support the same services.
@erratarob @erratarob on x
5/ GlobalStar spen5 $5 billion putting up its first satellites (and buying spectrum) then promptly went bankrupt (like their competitor Iridium). But spectrum licenses are valuable, so no investors grabbed their assets.
@erratarob @erratarob on x
11/ Presumably, then, you buy WiFi access-points that work as they currently do but then also work as a microcell for this LTE radio service. You get the best of both worlds: reliable phone calls, and high-bandwidth downloads.
@ronamadeo Ron Amadeo on x
It seems we've reached a compromise: Bloomberg says the iPhone (but not 13) will eventually be able to contact 911 over satellite, so the smallest bit of data for emergencies. Not high-speed internet and not anything like a satellite phone. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@davegershgorn Dave Gershgorn on x
a fun game will be watching garmin's stock on this news https://twitter.com/...
@benbajarin Ben Bajarin on x
If the new iPhone rumors are true this is certainly how it would be done. The use of spot beaming makes sense. And while it's different from Microsoft's SPOT watches, eventually when/if spot beaming comes to Apple Watch I will appreciate a small amount of irony. https://twitter.c…
@trengriffin Tren Griffin on x
https://www.bloomberg.com/.... “The texting-via-satellite tool, codenamed Stewie inside Apple, will restrict messages to a shorter length. The texts will automatically push through to an emergency contact's phone, even if the do-not-disturb setting is on.”
@jcenters Josh Centers on x
Don't get me wrong, an iPhone that could make satellite calls would be awesome, but I don't see it happening.
@jcenters Josh Centers on x
Typical satphone antenna. Apple might have very clever designers, but physics is physics. https://twitter.com/...
@erratarob @erratarob on x
2/ That band is 2.4835-GHz to 2.4950-GHz. If that looks too you suspiciously like 2.4-GHz WiFi range, then you'd be right: it's the upper half of Channel 14 in WiFi. Most countries (except Japan) don't use Channel 14 for WiFi, though. U.S. WiFi goes to 11. https://twitter.com/...
@jcenters Josh Centers on x
Or maybe I was totally wrong https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@erratarob @erratarob on x
Either investors in GlobalStar know something I don't ... or not. https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@erratarob @erratarob on x
1/ No, the iPhone 13 will not talk to satellites. Instead, the iPhone will (according to rumors) now support another radio band for 4G/5G that was previously assigned to satellite service but which now can be used for terrestrial service.
@saschasegan Sascha Segan on x
Globalstar is a satellite company, yes! But Globalstar also owns a swathe of terrestrial spectrum in the 2.4GHz zone called b53/n53 which it has been trying to get used by private networks and LAA deployments. See: https://www.globalstar.com/...
@saschasegan Sascha Segan on x
But ... you take b53/n53 connectivity, it becomes “iPhone has Globalstar” which becomes “iPhone has satellites” and here we are. New ground-based LTE/LAA band. Not satellites. @TechmemeChatter

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