This time, Tim Farrar, a satellite communications consultant at California-based research firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, made a fitting statement. He said that Apple could announce the satellite communications functionality for the iPhone as early as the next rollout scheduled for September 7.

what is known

According to Farrar, Elon Musk’s announcement, controlled by SpaceX and cellular company T-Mobile, which announced a similar technology together, may be related to Apple’s plans. In this way, T-Mobile customers’ smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites without any intermediaries. It seems that the new partnership wanted to overtake the “apple” company in this market, which will launch its version jointly with Globalstar.

How is it going to be?

• Apple’s service, according to Farrar It will be free for two-way text messaging at least at launch. It will use existing satellite spectrum, which does not require “a rule change by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
• In turn, T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to use T-Mobile’s mid-range 5G spectrum and support text messaging, MMS and even instant messaging. companies plan.
• Generally the function will be designed for use in emergenciesallows iPhone users to report emergencies when standard mobile communication is not available. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who gave information about the development of the feature for the first time, noted that the feature can also be used on the new Apple Watch.
• T-Mobile said SpaceX’s satellites can connect to “the vast majority of smartphones” already on its network. their current chips.