Apple is the satellite phone company now
Apple now ships over seventy percent of all the satellite-equipped smartphones sold worldwide, according to Counterpoint. Of course, as satellite communication technology improves, the full impact of that stat will become more evident.
Sending out an SOS
Originally introduced a few years ago with the SOS via Satellite service for iPhones, Apple now provides a range of satellite-based services worldwide. Its offer seems likely to expand as Amazon takes over management at satellite partner, GlobalStar.
Apple’s devices should also see a boost as new 6G technologies which better support satellite communications within the standard itself appear. Apple, which sits on the standards-setting board for 6G and now also makes modems to handle the comms could be seen as having been working toward this moment for a while.
Texting on the Moon
Research Vice President Peter Richardson said, “Nearly one in two smartphones is expected to support satellite connectivity by 2030. Apple, Google and Samsung will lead in terms of overall penetration, but Android brands targeting the entry and mid-price segments will see less penetration. Satellite offerings by more Android players and telecom operators beyond developed markets will play a key role in accelerating global adoption.”
Giant steps you take
“The satellite smartphone connectivity space is expected to create opportunities across the entire ecosystem, including smartphone OEMs, SoC vendors, component players, telecom operators and satellite operators. Beyond this, it will also unlock new service models and bundled offerings, where companies like Amazon could integrate satellite connectivity into platforms such as Amazon Prime to enhance the overall consumer experience. However, the pace of growth will depend on the collaboration of ecosystem players to solve issues such as design and cost constraints, limited use cases, regulatory complexities and network immaturity,” they said.
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