Amazon Files for 5,105-Satellite Network That Will Power iPhone Satellite Features

[MacRumors]

Amazon is planning to deploy up to 5,105 low Earth orbit satellites that will use Globalstar spectrum to provide voice, data, messaging, and emergency services to devices like the iPhone. Amazon's project is expected to improve existing iPhone satellite features and support new features.

Apple uses Globalstar for the satellite features on the iPhone and Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Amazon is in the process of acquiring the company. Apple and Amazon have worked out a deal that will see Globalstar operating alongside Amazon's Leo satellite network, with Globalstar and Amazon Leo powering future satellite services for Apple.

Amazon's proposed 5,105-satellite constellation will allow devices to have satellite-based cellular service in areas where a cell tower is unavailable. Amazon says the system will give customers improved speed and throughput, and it will be able to reach any compatible mobile device with a satellite-capable chipset. Amazon specifically highlights its Apple partnership in its blog post announcing the satellite plan.

Amazon Leo already announced an agreement with Apple to power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models—including Emergency SOS via satellite, Messages, Find My, and Roadside Assistance via satellite—and to collaborate with Apple on future satellite services using the expanded network.

Amazon plans to deploy five orbital shells meant to reach different parts of the planet. Three will cover heavily populated areas, while others will extend service toward polar areas. Amazon has filed an application with the FCC for the system, and is awaiting approval. Amazon expects to deploy satellites starting in 2028, with the Globalstar merger set to close in 2027 after it receives regulatory approval.

Article Link: Amazon Files for 5,105-Satellite Network That Will Power iPhone Satellite Features

 

[germanbeer007]

Only matter of time before Apple comes crawling to Elon...

 

[JosephAW]

All I can imagine is the Kessler syndrome 😛 🛰️

 

[jz0309]

Competition is a good thing, in this case, if you don't know, it's with starlink. Starlink is way ahead though...
As for the benefits to us, starting in 2028, not so sure tbh. And yes, emergency and those in rural areas I get, wondering about the rest

 

[gleepskip]

Getting to 5000 is pretty aspirational when their delivery vehicle and launch facility got deleted.

 

[ELman]

Still less than half of what Starlink has in orbit.

 

[dypeterc]

Why can’t Globalstar and Starlink be separate companies? Instead big tech comes and takes them over and makes them worse

 

[pbau]

Hope this will work in Poland

 

[uczcret]

On today's 'who asked for this?' news...

 

[JohnWick1954]

Why can’t Globalstar and Starlink be separate companies? Instead big tech comes and takes them over and makes them worse

They are separate companies? What are you talking about?

 

[hieranonymous]

Elon is gonna find some way to blame this on the woke mind virus.

 

[svish]

Good to hear about this. Still waiting for iPhone satellite features to launch in my country and hopefully it will happen soon.

 

[Cesar Battistini]

Apple needs to go talk to Starlink asap about Starlink direct to cell.....

 

[jz0309]

Why can’t Globalstar and Starlink be separate companies? Instead big tech comes and takes them over and makes them worse

Globalstar = Amazon
Starlink = SpaceX

Last time I checked, 2 separate companies 😱

 

[dypeterc]

Globalstar = Amazon
Starlink = SpaceX

Last time I checked, 2 separate companies 😱

Poorly written on my part. I meant why can’t these satellite companies be individual standalone companies. Why are they a part of these dumb conglomerates

 

[CarAnalogy]

Not sure if it's related or not, but all I really want is for Offline Maps with Satellite to be available on my existing 17 Pro Max with iOS 27 or so.

I found out the hard way lately, offline maps are not nearly as useful as they sound. Still no navigation and it acts like it's broken without internet access, downloaded maps or not.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Poorly written on my part. I meant why can’t these satellite companies be individual standalone companies. Why are they a part of these dumb conglomerates

Money. Accounting, maybe more accurately. But mostly so the money they spend on as-yet unprofitable companies isn't counted as losses to their main companies.

Similar reason that Alphabet technically exists but is mostly just an accounting trick. Makes it easier to hide the fact that all of their money comes from advertisements. It's not Google losing all that money on Waymo, that's a whole other company inside Alphabet!

Or more relevantly in Elon Musks's case, so that one company that makes money can prop up the others that used to make money until he made them massively unprofitable.

Similar idea here.

 

[shelt]

Not sure if it's related or not, but all I really want is for Offline Maps with Satellite to be available on my existing 17 Pro Max with iOS 27 or so.

I found out the hard way lately, offline maps are not nearly as useful as they sound. Still no navigation and it acts like it's broken without internet access, downloaded maps or not.

T-Satellite for $10/month in the US does this just fine.

 

[DocMultimedia]

For the older people on the forums, it’s still absolutely amazing what we can do in space today. I didn’t see Sputnik, but I got to see a lot of the early stuff. Will never forget watching the moon landing.

 

[JohnC1959]

Poorly written on my part. I meant why can’t these satellite companies be individual standalone companies. Why are they a part of these dumb conglomerates

You need big money to build these.

 

[fricotin]

Hope this will work in Poland

And in Panamá...