SpaceX’s Starlink plans on using the same spectrum Globalstar is tapping to power the iPhone 14’s emergency satellite connectivity.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system could one day expand to Apple iPhones, according to CEO Elon Musk.
Musk mentioned the potential partnership in a Thursday tweet, a day after Apple revealed the upcoming iPhone 14 will feature „Emergency SOS“ satellite connectivity. To power the feature, Apple has tapped Globalstar, a provider of satellite communication, including satellite phones.
Someone on Twitter wondered if Apple could one day also rely on SpaceX’s Starlink to power Emergency SOS. In response, Musk wrote: “We’ve had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity. iPhone team is obv (obviously) super smart.”
A partnership sets up the tantalizing prospect of iPhones not just receiving an emergency SOS service, but also high-speed internet in cellular dead zones through Starlink. However, Musk indicated a key challenge is designing the iPhone to efficiently receive and send signals over Starlink, which currently operates by using orbiting satellites to beam high-speed internet to dishes on the ground.
