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Satellite connectivity on smartphones typically requires a clear view of the sky, but future iPhones may work from inside a car or even buildings, according to Apple partner Globalstar.
In October, Globalstar revealed it had received $1.1 billion from Apple to develop a next-generation satellite network. In a new filing with the FCC, the company discloses more details, including how the so-called “C-3” constellation will span 48 satellites designed to operate at low-Earth orbit, with another six satellites to function as spares.
“The C-3 System, representing a more than $1 billion total investment in state-of-the-art satellites and associated ground infrastructure, will expand Globalstar’s ability to provide connectivity,” Globalstar says.
Importantly, the satellites can beam a stronger radio signal to devices on the ground, according to the filing. "Given this greater signal strength and the availability of multiple satellites overhead, users will have access to much-improved in-building and in-vehicle connectivity with less dependency on antenna orientation," the company adds.
Currently, the satellite features on Apple iPhones require a clear view of the sky; users must also orient the device by turning it left or right. It now looks like Globalstar is working to make connecting to the satellites more seamless by boosting the signal quality.
The satellite connectivity is designed to function in cellular dead zones, offering a way for iPhone users to text people, including emergency services. There's no mention of whether the new satellites will be able to power voice, video calls, or internet downloads. But Globalstar says the next-generation constellation will help it "expand" the company’s range of products and services, including a "variety of new, innovative direct-to-device satellite features on supported devices, such as Apple's iPhones."
The C-3 satellites will orbit the Earth at 1,414 kilometers, where the company’s earlier generation low-Earth orbiting satellites reside. "The expected lifespan of the satellites is 12.5 years," the company notes.
(Credit: FCC/Globalstar)“Each of Globalstar’s C-3 System satellites will have a mass (wet) of approximately 850 kg (1,873 pounds) and will have dimensions of approximately 3.7m (length) x 14m (width) x 1.4m (height) (with deployed solar array),” the company wrote in another FCC document.
To further upgrade the technology, Globalstar says it’s preparing to “deploy entirely new gateway earth station facilities” across the US.
The filing arrives amid growing competition in the market for satellite-to-phone services. SpaceX has already kicked off a beta to test its own cellular Starlink service, which currently spans over 450 satellites. The upcoming service will not only support T-Mobile customers but also consumers on rival carriers. Meanwhile, AT&T and Verizon have been tapping providers including AST SpaceMobile and Skylo to support their own satellite ambitions.
In the FCC filing, Globalstar adds that “hundreds of millions of people” already have access to Apple’s satellite features, which first became available on the iPhone 14. However, Apple has indicated it’ll start charging users for the satellite connectivity later this year once the free access period ends.
To build the new satellites, Globalstar has also contracted with Canadian company MDA. But it remains unclear which launch provider Globalstar will use to send up the new satellites.