What next for Apple, Globalstar, and iPhone satellite?
Apple appears to be looking for some way to begin to monetize its satellite support on iPhones and Apple Watch with a rash of small features that stop short of the satellite calling network people may hope for.
Bloomberg speaks up
Bloomberg tells us Apple has thought about offering its own satellite services, but leadership has so far avoided moving that way, in part because doing so would put it into competition with carriers. That may change in future, the report implies.
Right now Apple offers Emergency SOS via Satellite, roadside assistance, and the capacity to send and receive messages via satellite.
What Apple may be planning
So, how does it intend to extend the satellite features it already provides?
- Developer APIs so the connectivity can be used in third-party apps.
- Satellite powered maps, so you can find out where you are wherever you are, so long as you are above ground.
- Developers will be able to use iPhone compatible satellite networks to support their own apps.
- Richer messaging, including photo messaging, via satellite.
- 5G NTN, a tech expected to permit iPhone on cellular networks use satellite connectivity to extend/improve coverage.
- Better connectivity – basic improvements in satellite connection such as being able to use the connection in your pocket or indoors.
Now, I don’t know yet if these upgrades will be sufficient to encourage people to upgrade, because at heart most people who look to satellite do so because it provides better broadband coverage than they can get from normal operators. There are parts of Wales which are going all in on Starlink, for example. (In part because after years of pretending to care about rural communities, the UK’s privatized telecom providers haven’t actually invested in robust connections there.)
That’s what people want – broadband they can use anywhere – and that’s what the market has come to expect. It will, however be interesting to find out if Find My coverage will improve as a result of better satellite connectivity.
What about Globalstar?
The Bloomberg report notes that introducing some of these described improvements will require major upgrades to Apple partner Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure. That’s a strange thing to note given the billions Globalstar (and Apple) has spent on upgrading that infrastructure.
The report also maintains the speculation Globalstar may sell itself to SpaceX, which may change the game dynamics. It doesn’t mention an early November SEC filing in which Globalstar delayed the delivery of 17 satellites that Apple needs (and paid for) to expand iPhone’s satellite features.
Might this force Apple to open up to Starlink and ASTS? If it does, what will this do for its satellite communications offering? Finally, is there perhaps a deeper purpose behind Apple’s investment in satellite, such as crafting a networking infrastructure with which to support future products and services, particularly around autonomy and robotics?
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