Apple Expands Globalstar Relationship to Support Growing Satellite Services

Globalstar today announced an amended agreement with Apple that will see an expansion of the satellite services that support Apple features like Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My location updates that can now be handled in areas with no terrestrial Wi-Fi or cellular coverage in select countries.

messages via satellite
According to the SEC filing by Globalstar, which is Apple's existing partner in providing satellite services, Globalstar will deliver a number of improvements to Apple including a new satellite constellation, expanded ground infrastructure to support the satellites and Apple's services, and increased global licensing of the new satellite services.

In exchange, Apple will make prepayments of up to $1.1 billion to support construction and launch of the new satellites and other expenses. Apple will also take a passive 20% equity interest in Globalstar at a cost of $400 million.

Apple's satellite services debuted in late 2022 on iPhone 14 models with the launch of Emergency SOS and ‌Find My‌ location updates via satellite in the U.S. and Canada, allowing users in remote areas to contact emergency services via text message. Over time, Apple's satellite services have expanded to additional countries and added new functions including Roadside Assistance in late 2023, and with iOS 18 this year, users can now communicate with others using iMessage and text messages via satellite even in non-emergency situations.

At the time of Apple's original satellite services launch in 2022, the company said the services would be offered for free for the first two years upon the purchase of a compatible phone, with a fee required beyond that time to continue using them. Apple has, however, extended the free service period and has yet to begin charging a fee. It is unclear at this point if or when Apple will begin charging for use of satellite services, and if so, what the fee will be.

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Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
17 months ago

Would really be good if Apple took the tiniest chunk out of their $3.4T and provided it free indefinitely, as some people who may need it will not pay for it.
I suspect the SOS version will be 100% free, for everyone, forever, but they will starting charging for regular messaging.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
17 months ago
This is such an awesome service

I was able to use this service for the first time when I was at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (last July) and there wasn’t any cell phone service in the portion of the park that I was in, but I was able to transmit my location (on the Find My app) via satellite and it was really cool

I hope that Apple continues to expand this service so that eventually we can browse the internet over satellite (on a limited basis) but still be able to get emails or a webpage if needed (even if at slow speeds)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Your Royal Highness Avatar
17 months ago
I’m actually happy that Apple is investing in Globalstar, will be a partner and not lining Elon Musk pockets via Starlink.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rman0726 Avatar
17 months ago

I’m actually happy that Apple is investing in Globalstar, will be a partner and not lining Elon Musk pockets via Starlink.
I’d rather they use whatever works best personally. I have no idea how good Globalstar is, but I was on a cruise last month and it felt pretty amazing to have reliable 25mbit internet in the middle of the Pacific Ocean via Starlink.

If I’m hiking a mountain in Alaska and I slide down a slope off path and break my leg? I’d rather a service that will get me in contact with emergency services. I am pretty sure that who owns that satellite company will not be high on my mind in that case.

I am not saying that Globalstar wouldn’t be able to. I have no idea. I just hope that Apple is going with them because they reliably can, and not because negative press coverage of reaching a deal with an Elon owned company might hurt their bottom line.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kar98 Avatar
17 months ago

I’d rather they use whatever works best personally. I have no idea how good Globalstar is, but I was on a cruise last month and it felt pretty amazing to have reliable 25mbit internet in the middle of the Pacific Ocean via Starlink.

If I’m hiking a mountain in Alaska and I slide down a slope off path and break my leg? I’d rather a service that will get me in contact with emergency services. I am pretty sure that who owns that satellite company will not be high on my mind in that case.

I am not saying that Globalstar wouldn’t be able to. I have no idea. I just hope that Apple is going with them because they reliably can, and not because negative press coverage of reaching a deal with an Elon owned company might hurt their bottom line.
I just hope my money doesn’t go toward lining the pockets of fascists and fascist enablers.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
17 months ago

I’m actually happy that Apple is investing in Globalstar, will be a partner and not lining Elon Musk pockets via Starlink.
I agree from a competition standpoint. I'm no Elon hater and I think starlink is world-changing, but I definitely don't want them to monopolize satellite comms by any means. We need at least an iOS/android-type duopoly up there! XD
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)