Apple’s satellite connectivity expansion plans interrupted by Elon Musk

Apple has been offering Emergency SOS via Satellite and Roadside Assistance via Satellite in the United States, but the expansion of those services faces a challenge from Elon Musk.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the SpaceX owner is not happy with the iPhone maker’s investment in Globalstar, a competitor to his Starlink.

The main issue is spectrum rights, which are divided into licensable bands secured by satellite operators like Starlink, Globalstar, Echostar, Viasat and Iridium.

Apple invested over $1 billion in Globalstar so the company can secure rights to additional bands, which challenges Starlink, a company owned by SpaceX.

The South African, who is currently very close to the US President and his Administration, reportedly requested that the Federal Communications Commission dismiss an application from Globalstar to use bands to form a new network of satellites used by Apple.

Two-way satellite messaging on iOS 18

SpaceX and Apple have collaborated before, but it wasn’t smooth sailing. Cupertino reached a deal with T-Mobile to use Starlink, but the agreement was established through “tense discussions.” Executives from both sides have discussed connecting iPhones to Starlink satellites, but this is unlikely to occur at this moment.

Globalstar hired SpaceX to launch the Apple-funded satellites into space, so there is still some profit to be gained, even if the FCC chooses not to heed the official.

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