Apple Is Diving Deeper Into Satellites

Apple has committed a fresh $1.5 billion to Globalstar, the satellite company that enables iPhones to send and receive messages from hard-to-reach places. The services can be particularly helpful in disaster situations like the recent hurricanes that left hundreds dead and caused billions of dollars in damages.

Globalstar has worked with Apple to provide the services free of charge to iPhone users (for two years after activating the device) since it began offering the feature in 2022. It works similarly to other services like SpaceX Starlink, communicating with one of Globalstar’s satellites that sit in low-earth orbit. Globalstar’s offering is quite slow, however—sending even a short text message can take up to 30 seconds under ideal conditions. It’s really only useful in emergency situations. But when you need it, it will really come in handy.

Apple is Globalstar’s primary customer and it allocates about 85% of its satellite infrastructure to the company, according to CNBC. Presumably the new funds would allow Globalstar to expand to other clients, but in a filing the company indicates that Apple will continue to be its primary customer. The money will go towards purchasing more satellites and expanding ground infrastructure. Apple will now own a 20-percent stake in the company.

SpaceX has been expanding into direct-to-cell services, partnering with T-Mobile on a similar service for emergency texting. The companies recently launched the service in areas affected by Hurricane Helene thanks to emergency approval by the FCC.

Low-earth orbit allows for service much faster than that of earlier satellite services likes Hughesnet. But to get the fastest speeds you typically need a large receiver like the Starlink dish. The direct-to-cell capabilities from Apple and SpaceX also require you to be standing outside to send a message.