Apple partner Globalstar is hinting that more satellite-powered features are coming to iPhones.
The company did so in an FCC filing the weighs in on a plan from T-Mobile and SpaceX to power satellite internet services for unmodified T-Mobile smartphones.
Globalstar objects to T-Mobile asserting in a previous filing that “today’s ubiquitous consumer devices will not support reception of MSS (mobile satellite service) signals.” In fact, Apple and Globalstar have already been providing satellite connectivity to the latest iPhones through an Emergency SOS feature, the FCC filing says.
"Globalstar’s MSS (mobile satellite service) system will continue to evolve over time to support a growing array of direct-to-handset features and services in its licensed spectrum," it adds.
The statement suggests Globalstar—which already offers satellites phones—is working to bring satellite-based voice calls and internet to Apple devices. Although the company is already providing satellite connectivity to the iPhone 14, the system currently only allows people to send text messages to emergency services when traditional cellular services are out of reach.
The feature has already saved lives. But rivals like AT&T and AST SpaceMobile are also working to enable satellite-powered voice calls and internet access to unmodified consumer smartphones.
However, Globalstar has its own global ambitions by partnering with Apple. “Ultimately, hundreds of millions of people globally will have Globalstar connectivity at their fingertips in situations where communications are critical and no terrestrial network is available,” the company adds.
Apple itself appears to be working on bringing more satellite services to future iPhones. In December, the company was granted a patent involving transceivers that could be fitted on a device for the purposes of powering voice and internet services.