According to Tim Farrar, satellite communications consultant at California-based research firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Apple is likely to announce the long-rumored satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 in September. next.
In one a bunch of tweetsFarrar said yesterday’s satellite connectivity announcements by T-Mobile and SpaceX are likely to pre-empt Apple’s announcement of its own satellite connectivity feature for iPhones in partnership with Globalstar. Apple is holding a media event at the Steve Jobs Theater on September 7, and the event’s “Far Out” slogan and starry sky artwork have sparked speculation about a connection announcement. satellite.
In February, Globalstar announced that it had acquired 17 new satellites to provide “continuous satellite service” to a “potential customer”, which could be Apple.
Farrar said Apple’s service will be made available for free for two-way text messaging at launch and will use existing satellite spectrum, with no rule changes from the FCC. By comparison, T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to take advantage of T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G spectrum and support SMS text messaging, MMS, and select messaging apps, but Farrar believes that’s the way to go. This more ambitious approach will face regulatory hurdles around the world.
BloombergMark Gurman first reported that Apple was working on satellite connectivity for iPhones in December 2019. Earlier this year, Gurman said Apple was still working on the feature and said it could be ready for the iPhone 14. later this year. Gurman claims the feature will be designed for use in emergency situations, allowing iPhone users to report emergencies to authorities and send short text messages to emergency contacts, and he said added that this function may also be available on the new Apple Watch.
According to Gurman, the iPhone will need a special modem chip to connect to the satellite, suggesting that this feature may only be compatible with iPhone 14 and later. By comparison, T-Mobile says the “vast majority of smartphones” already on its network will be able to connect to SpaceX’s satellite using their existing cellular chips.
Additional details about Apple’s rumored satellite connectivity feature, such as whether it will be limited to the US or be available globally, are still unknown. Apple’s media event begins September 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time and MacRumors There will be a comprehensive coverage of everything announced, so be sure to follow up afterwards.
