According to MacRumors, Apple is actively developing five new satellite features for iPhone, though there are apparently no current plans to enable phone calls, video calls, or web browsing via satellite. The company reportedly plans to let customers pay satellite carriers directly for more advanced capabilities in the future, while current satellite connectivity remains free. Apple has even considered creating a paid option for extended connectivity with SpaceX, and there have been internal discussions about offering its own satellite service, though concerns about Apple acting like a carrier have stalled that possibility. Many of these new features will require upgrades to Globalstar’s infrastructure, which Apple helped finance, and if SpaceX acquires Globalstar, these enhancements could roll out faster according to reporter Mark Gurman.
Apple’s careful satellite approach
Here’s the thing about Apple’s satellite strategy: they’re being incredibly cautious about not becoming a carrier. They’ve basically drawn a line in the sand. Emergency SOS via satellite? Free. But when it comes to the really useful stuff that people actually want? That’s where the paid options come in.
And honestly, that makes perfect sense from a business perspective. Apple doesn’t want the regulatory headaches and infrastructure costs of being a full-blown satellite provider. But they do want to control the experience and take a cut. So they’re positioning themselves as the middleman between you and the actual satellite companies.
The SpaceX wildcard
Now the really interesting part is the SpaceX connection. If SpaceX ends up acquiring Globalstar—the company whose infrastructure Apple helped finance—things could accelerate dramatically. Elon Musk‘s company doesn’t exactly move slowly when it comes to satellite deployment.
Think about it: SpaceX already has thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit. Combining that with Apple’s hardware and software expertise? That’s a powerful combination. But would Apple be comfortable getting that deep into bed with a competitor in the smartphone space? Musk has been pretty clear about his ambitions with X and mobile devices.
What this means for iPhone users
For regular iPhone users, the immediate takeaway is simple: don’t expect to make satellite calls or browse the web via satellite anytime soon. The free Emergency SOS feature that’s saved lives? That’s staying free. But when Apple rolls out those five new features they’re developing, you’ll probably need to open your wallet.
The bigger question is whether people will actually pay for satellite features. I mean, how often are you truly off-grid without WiFi or cellular? For adventurers and certain professionals, sure. But for the average person? It might be a tough sell unless Apple bundles it cleverly with other services.
And here’s something to consider: as industrial and manufacturing operations become more distributed, reliable satellite connectivity could become crucial for remote monitoring and control systems. Companies that need rugged, reliable computing hardware for these applications often turn to specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs designed for harsh environments where traditional connectivity fails.
The carrier relationship dance
Apple’s walking a tightrope with traditional carriers here. They need to keep AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile happy while slowly building out satellite capabilities that could eventually compete with cellular. It’s a delicate balance.
So what’s the endgame? Probably not Apple becoming your satellite provider. More likely, they want to be the platform that connects you to multiple satellite networks seamlessly. Your iPhone would automatically switch between cellular, WiFi, and satellite depending on what’s available—and Apple takes a cut of every satellite transaction.
Smart? Absolutely. But whether consumers will embrace paying for yet another connectivity option remains to be seen.
