iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models acquire emergency SOS functionality via satellite due to Apple investing $450 million in US infrastructure development
In a groundbreaking development, Apple has made a significant investment of $450 million in US infrastructure, which has made possible the Emergency SOS via satellite service on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lineups.
This service, available in the US and Canada, with plans to expand to more regions, allows iPhone users to connect directly to a satellite and send emergency messages when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. When an Emergency SOS via satellite request is made, the message is received by one of Globalstar's 24 satellites in low-earth orbit.
The service operates over the mobile satellite services spectrum, which Globalstar has operated in the US for the past 20 years, specifically in the L and S bands designated for mobile satellite services by the ITU Radio Regulations.
The message is routed to emergency services that can dispatch help, or a relay center with Apple-trained emergency specialists if local emergency services cannot receive text messages. The ground stations, equipped with high-power antennas designed and manufactured specifically for Apple by Cobham Satcom in Concord, California, then relay the user's information to custom ground stations located at key points all over the world.
Apple's investment has provided critical enhancements to Globalstar's satellite network and ground stations. The majority of the funding goes to Globalstar, a global satellite service headquartered in Covington, Louisiana. More than 300 employees at Globalstar support the new service.
New high-power antennas have been installed in all Globalstar ground stations, including new facilities in Nevada and Hawaii, as well as existing ones in Texas, Alaska, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
As part of Apple's plans to make new contributions of more than $430 billion over a five-year period in the US, as announced in 2021, this investment marks another step towards strengthening the country's infrastructure.
The iPhone 14 lineup, featuring advanced camera systems, all-day battery life, and industry-leading durability features, will be available to customers in the US and Canada beginning later this month. Customers can save up to $1,000 with trade-in when they upgrade to the iPhone 14 lineup and activate their device with select US carriers.
In addition, iPhone users can share their location via satellite when there is no cellular and Wi-Fi connection by launching the Find My app. This feature could prove invaluable in emergencies where traditional means of communication are unavailable.
The companies involved in the infrastructure for the emergency SOS via satellite service for the iPhone 14 are primarily Apple, which developed and operates the service, using satellite connectivity to enable emergency messaging outside of cellular coverage. However, specific satellite network partners have not been explicitly named in the provided search results. Apple’s headquarters are located in Cupertino, California, USA.
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