Apple and SpaceX Reportedly 'Clashing' Over Satellite Texting Features

[MacRumors]

Apple and SpaceX subsidiary Starlink have been rolling out competing satellite features that allow smartphone users to send text messages while they are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The Wall Street Journal on Sunday detailed the relationship between the two companies, and the report also revealed some other notable details.

First, the report said that SpaceX has attempted to delay Apple's satellite expansion efforts.

Last year, Apple committed $1.5 billion to its satellite partner Globalstar, to fund the expansion of infrastructure for the iPhone's built-in satellite features. Earlier this month, SpaceX urged the FCC to dismiss Globalstar's application for this expansion, calling it "premature." SpaceX said Globalstar's satellites would make exclusive use of the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands, before the FCC decides on rules that could permit other satellite operators to use those bands. SpaceX wants shared access to the bands, but Globalstar believes this could result in interference, and potentially degrade the iPhone's built-in satellite features.

Despite this conflict, Globalstar is paying SpaceX to launch its additional satellites.

Second, the report said that Apple and SpaceX had "tense" discussions about seamlessly integrating Starlink's satellite texting feature on newer iPhone models, although the two companies eventually reached an agreement.

In a support document, Apple says iPhones display "SAT" in the status bar when using a carrier-provided satellite feature, such as Starlink via T-Mobile.

Starlink via T-Mobile is currently available in beta for free, and it is set to launch as a paid service in July for both iPhone and Android users.

Finally, the report said that Apple held talks over the years with additional satellite companies, including Boeing, EchoStar, and even SpaceX. However, as of today, the iPhone's built-in satellite features remain exclusively powered by Globalstar.

In a statement responding to the report, Apple said its satellite features are "designed to complement carrier offerings, giving users even more ways to stay connected." Most importantly, Apple said the features have "already helped save lives."

Apple's built-in satellite feature was initially limited to communication with emergency services, but iOS 18 added the ability to send and receive iMessages and SMS messages to anyone via satellite. iPhone users can also update their location in the Find My app via satellite, and arrange roadside assistance via satellite. All of these features are available in the U.S., but availability varies in other countries. The features are free to use for now. Both the Apple-provided and carrier-provided satellite features are supported on all iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models, with an up-to-date iOS version.

Article Link: Apple and SpaceX Reportedly 'Clashing' Over Satellite Texting Features

 

[turbineseaplane]

the report said that Apple and SpaceX had "tense" discussions

I think Apple are going to learn "the hard way" what it's like dealing with a Musk controlled entity.

 

[CloneBB]

I trust SpaceX over Apple.

 

[Bkfraiders7]

AST Spacemobile, partnering with Verizon, AT&T, and Firstnet (along Vodafone, Google, and 50 other MNOs worldwide) can’t come fast enough. Text, Voice, and Usable Data from satellite over MNO/Ligado spectrum will be crucial to the D2D scene.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I trust SpaceX over Apple.

I don't trust either one of them

None of these companies are our "friends"

Companies are not our "friends"

Edited - Great correction from @csnwbd2251

 

[WarmWinterHat]

AST Spacemobile, partnering with Verizon, AT&T, and Firstnet (along Vodafone, Google, and 50 other MNOs worldwide) can’t come fast enough. Text, Voice, and Usable Data from satellite over MNO/Ligado spectrum will be crucial to the D2D scene.

Satellite-based D2D will never be the primary way phones connect unless you are never inside, under a metal roof, in an office building, etc.

It can be an option, but it will never be the only option.

I trust SpaceX over Apple.

I don't.

I don't trust Apple, but I would trust Kim Jong Un over an Elon Musk company.

 

[keith57]

Will Satellite texting ever come to the UK?. No-one at Apple can tell me when this will happen

 

[tennisproha]

So SpaceX is attempting to bribe the FCC to give them exclusive access to the bands

 

[tivoboy]

#predictthegrift

 

[fenderbass146]

So SpaceX is attempting to bribe the FCC to give them exclusive access to the bands

No...I know there is global hate for anything Musk, but this is a good thing for all parties involved


"SpaceX is lobbying the FCC to block iPhone satellite provider Globalstar from launching a new constellation of 48 low-Earth orbiting satellites.

Globalstar's "C3" constellation promises to expand the satellite-powered features on future iPhones, funded in part by a $1 billion investment from Apple. However, SpaceX claims the FCC needs to dismiss the application because the C3 constellation will use radio spectrum in the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands.

Those radio bands are facing scrutiny at the FCC, which is considering opening up the spectrum to all satellite players, following a request from SpaceX. As a result, the company is calling out Globalstar’s application as “premature,” and urging the FCC to first open up the radio bands for sharing among mobile satellite services.

 

[MattG]

I trust SpaceX over Apple.

I trust gas station sushi over SpaceX, Tesla, Starlink, etc.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I trust SpaceX over Apple.

Dear me.

In any case, I salute your courage, to write such a post in a forum dedicated to discussing matters related to Apple.

I don't trust either one of them

None of these companies are our "friends"

Agreed.

Actually, I recall the wry observation "pity they can't both lose" which was made during the Iran/Iraq war, and find myself similarly conflicted as I am not entirely sure which of these two companies I would prefer to see defeated as a result of these "tense" talks.

If really pushed, I daresay I that I might - rather reluctantly - find myself declaring for Apple's camp.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I trust gas station sushi over SpaceX, Tesla, Starlink, etc.

Bravo.

Very well said.

And thank you for putting not just a smile, but a grin, on my face.

 

[tennisproha]

SpaceX is lobbying the FCC to block iPhone satellite provider Globalstar from launching a new constellation of 48 low-Earth orbiting satellites.

Globalstar's "C3" constellation promises to expand the satellite-powered features on future iPhones, funded in part by a $1 billion investment from Apple. However, SpaceX claims the FCC needs to dismiss the application because the C3 constellation will use radio spectrum in the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands.

Those radio bands are facing scrutiny at the FCC, which is considering opening up the spectrum to all satellite players, following a request from SpaceX. As a result, the company is calling out Globalstar’s application as “premature,” and urging the FCC to first open up the radio bands for sharing among mobile satellite services.

So SpaceX is attempting to bribe the FCC to give them exclusive access to the bands

 

[DeepIn2U]

No...I know there is global hate for anything Musk, but this is a good thing for all parties involved


"SpaceX is lobbying the FCC to block iPhone satellite provider Globalstar from launching a new constellation of 48 low-Earth orbiting satellites.

Globalstar's "C3" constellation promises to expand the satellite-powered features on future iPhones, funded in part by a $1 billion investment from Apple. However, SpaceX claims the FCC needs to dismiss the application because the C3 constellation will use radio spectrum in the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands.

Those radio bands are facing scrutiny at the FCC, which is considering opening up the spectrum to all satellite players, following a request from SpaceX. As a result, the company is calling out Globalstar’s application as “premature,” and urging the FCC to first open up the radio bands for sharing among mobile satellite services.

Very odd since Elon himself uses an iPhone Pro.

I wonder if it'll have a few ... 'glitches' in the next few hours

 

[Bkfraiders7]

Satellite-based D2D will never be the primary way phones connect unless you are never inside, under a metal roof, in an office building, etc.

It can be an option, but it will never be the only option.



I don't.

I don't trust Apple, but I would trust Kim Jong Un over an Elon Musk company.

Disagree. Testing has already shown ASTS working in buildings, cars, and airplanes. Will it be the preferred? Probably not, as terrestrial networks will likely have better latency and throughput. But will you connect while on your flight? Yes.

Additionally, in rural America, I do expect for MNOs to consider the CAPEX of deploying rural towers vs “good enough” satellite. This will likely happen in the 2030s.

 

[FoxyKaye]

I dealt with Globalstar 25 years ago when it was first launching its satellite communications network. They at least have a more sustainable approach: Starlink satellites are designed to degrade quickly, which means they're not only contributing to the number of near Earth satellites in orbit (Kessler Effect), but also space trash that ultimately has no capability of being recovered/recycled. And, as we learned in Ukraine, Musk himself can turn Starlink on/off at a whim.

 

[gaximus]

I had an opportunity to use the satellite feature while I was on a cruise last week, but when I was in international waters, it would work. It's geo locked to the US. When we ported in USVI, it would show as available, but since I had access to very expensive roaming, it also wouldn't work.

 

[neotint]

Apple continues to veer closer to the edge of betraying its founding ethics. ClosedAI slop. Funding Musk product slop. Further investing in car-dependency tech like AV/EVs. If Apple is to remain truly about thinking differently it will stop being a lemming and going with the flow on normie basic unsustainable tech like cars and LLMs, and the selective culture Musk is all about.

If Apple continues to support ClosedAI and then inks a deal with Musk tech, many of us will leave Apple for new contenders emerging that share wiser values around sustainability, equity, and ethics. We need good ancestors.

 

[vegetassj4]

I don't trust either one of them

None of these companies are our "friends"

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[delsoul]

I’ve never heard about a partnership with Apple and space X but seems like it could be an interesting venture together.

 

[Graphate]

Will Satellite texting ever come to the UK?. No-one at Apple can tell me when this will happen

That question might be better answered by the UK, unless there’s a benefit to Apple for delaying or not offering it? (Possible)

[…]

Those radio bands are facing scrutiny at the FCC, which is considering opening up the spectrum to all satellite players, following a request from SpaceX. As a result, the company is calling out Globalstar’s application as “premature,” and urging the FCC to first open up the radio bands for sharing among mobile satellite services.

You must be aware that if someone with enormous government influence (real or perceived) tells a government agency to do, or not to do, something… it’s going to make that subsequent opinion from the government agency appear tainted. Now if you add that the person with the influential power also has a pecuniary interest… it just makes it appear more… as if it power of the government was wielded for personal gain.

No position taken, it’s difficult to quickly parse whether or not this is normal bureaucracy or something else.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I'm not surprised that either Apple or SpaceX are difficult to work with. It's easy to see that these two would not get along at all.

 

[dontwalkhand]

I don’t care, just blanket the earth with coverage so I dont have to pay ridiculous roaming charges when I am on a cruise ship or in another country.

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

I think Apple are going to learn "the hard way" what it's like dealing with a Musk controlled entity.

Musk is doing it right, that’s what Apple needs. Apple always implements something half baked, they were the first to implement satellite communications and 3 years later what happened? They just let it there hanging allowing SpaceX to completely surpass them. Apple just doesn’t have the drive, they don’t push anymore, they have become really lazy and conservative under Cook. They don’t even do live presentations anymore out of laziness. It’s like this culture of “good enough job” has taken over.