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Apple announced its Emergency SOS via satellite feature with the iPhone 14 series back in 2022 using US-based satellite services provider GlobalStar’s infrastructure. In a new development, Apple has committed $1.1 billion in a new deal with Globalstar to expand the latter’s satellite infrastructure capacity.
In addition, Apple now owns 20% of Globalstar via an equity deal worth $400 million. These investments are expected to help significantly boost Globalstar’s capacity to handle satellite messaging requests from iPhone users.
Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service initially promised two years of free service, which was later expanded to cover another year. This means that day-one iPhone 14 users will have support until November 2025.
Two-way satellite messaging on iOS 18
With iOS 18, Apple announced two-way satellite messaging via satellite when outside of cellular coverage. This feature is available on iPhone 14 and newer devices on supported carriers in the United States and Canada. It remains to be seen if Apple will start charging users of the iPhone 14 series for access to satellite messaging after the free period expires next year.