Apple is a technology company that has recently expanded its role in the space industry through strategic investments and partnerships. Primarily known for consumer electronics, Apple is investing heavily in satellite technology to enhance connectivity for its devices. Their activities include a $1.5 billion investment in Globalstar to support a new mobile satellite service (MSS) network and the integration of satellite capacity into iPhones for emergency messaging. This move aims to improve connectivity in areas without traditional cellular service and positions Apple as a player in satellite-based smartphone communication.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Globalstar has been Apple’s partner for emergency satellite messaging since 2022.
Apple holds a 20% stake in Globalstar.
Apple invested $1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024 for a 20% equity stake.
Amazon proposed a Sovereign Priority Waveform that would give Globalstar and Apple emergency packets absolute priority over other traffic in the constellation.
Apple secured 85% of Globalstar’s network capacity for iPhone features including Emergency SOS and Messages via satellite.
Greg Brady helped design the optical systems inside Apple’s Face ID and worked on the James Webb Space Telescope’s Optical Telescope Element.
Greg Brady held lead roles working on Apple’s Face ID system and the James Webb Space Telescope.
Rafferty Jackson was part of the team that helped close the deal selling Beats Electronics and Beats Music to Apple in 2014.
Past winners of Via Satellite’s Satellite Technology of the Year award include the Agatha AI space domain awareness capability, the integration of satellite into 3GPP standards, and Apple’s emergency messaging via satellite.
Apple integrated Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) modems as a default in its 2026 product cycle.
Tim Farrar identifies at least four other mega-constellations pursuing Direct-to-Device connectivity, including Apple/Globalstar.
Globalstar has relied on an exclusive relationship with Apple for emergency SOS services.
Apple's partnership with Globalstar has promoted the concept of satellite connectivity from niche to mainstream.
SpaceX experienced a 15% decline in employee ranks following its return-to-office mandate, while Microsoft and Apple saw declines of 5% and 4% respectively.
Apple is debuting 'Satellite Live' for the iPhone 17, which is a software-hardware integration leveraging Globalstar's newest Low Earth Orbit satellites.
The validation of the trial positions Globalstar beyond the emergency SOS market associated with its Apple partnership.
Apple's direct-to-device service uses satellite spectrum and does not require the same type of regulatory approval as outlined in Ofcom's framework.
Direct-to-device services are currently available in the U.K. through certain Apple phones, allowing users to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, and share location information.
Apple's SOS via Satellite and T-Mobile and Starlink texting have validated D2D technology for consumer services.
Satisfactory satellite service providers include ViaSat, Iridium, Intelsat/SES, EchoStar/Hughes, and Globalstar/Apple.