Satellite services provider, GlobalStar has announced that iPhone maker Apple has promised to invest an additional $1.1 billion in upfront infrastructure prepayments to expand its satellite capabilities. In a filing, (seen by StreetInsider.com) the company also noted that Apple will also acquire a 20% ownership stake in Globalstar for nearly $400 million. This news has sent Globalstar's stock price soaring and suggests that Apple has ambitious plans for its iPhone satellite features. Currently, iPhone users can send text messages over satellite when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi range, a feature introduced with iOS 18 .
While Apple currently offers this feature for free, the company has indicated that it may eventually charge users for satellite services. The emergency feature is currently available in the US as well as a few other markets and is excepted to debut soon in India and more countries . This investment in Globalstar's infrastructure underscores Apple's commitment to expanding this feature to other countries as well as enhancing its satellite offerings for iPhone users.
Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhones: What we know so far
This feature allows users to contact emergency services and share their location via satellite when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi range. Initially launched with the iPhone 14 in 2022, the Emergency SOS feature was supposed to become a paid service in late 2024. However, Apple has extended its free satellite connectivity service for iPhones until 2025.
While Apple has not yet revealed how much it will charge for satellite services, there is speculation that it may continue to offer Emergency SOS for free while charging for other features, such as location sharing in Find My or recreational texting. Other possibilities include bundling satellite service with Apple One or offering it as a mobile carrier add-on .
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the feature’s pricing, users with an iPhone 14 or later can currently try out the satellite feature in demo mode by navigating to Settings -> Emergency SOS -> Emergency SOS via Satellite -> Try Demo.
While Apple currently offers this feature for free, the company has indicated that it may eventually charge users for satellite services. The emergency feature is currently available in the US as well as a few other markets and is excepted to debut soon in India and more countries . This investment in Globalstar's infrastructure underscores Apple's commitment to expanding this feature to other countries as well as enhancing its satellite offerings for iPhone users.
Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhones: What we know so far
This feature allows users to contact emergency services and share their location via satellite when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi range. Initially launched with the iPhone 14 in 2022, the Emergency SOS feature was supposed to become a paid service in late 2024. However, Apple has extended its free satellite connectivity service for iPhones until 2025.
While Apple has not yet revealed how much it will charge for satellite services, there is speculation that it may continue to offer Emergency SOS for free while charging for other features, such as location sharing in Find My or recreational texting. Other possibilities include bundling satellite service with Apple One or offering it as a mobile carrier add-on .
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the feature’s pricing, users with an iPhone 14 or later can currently try out the satellite feature in demo mode by navigating to Settings -> Emergency SOS -> Emergency SOS via Satellite -> Try Demo.
You may also like
Know how is Singham Again, watch it or not?
Jesy Nelson reveals she almost got a boob job - and heartbreaking reason she didn't
Emily in Paris star Lily Collins says 'I forgive you' in sad open letter to famous dad
The huge £8.5bn European megaproject that's taking 16 years to build
Disneyland staff confront woman over racy outfit that sparked 'lots of complaints'
