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Apple spending $450M to support iPhone SOS via satellite

By TechTaffy Desk

Apple says a $450 million investment from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund has been allocated to build the infrastructure that supports Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models.

The majority of the funding goes to Globalstar, a global satellite service headquartered in Covington, Louisiana. At Globalstar, more than 300 employees support the new service, according to the Cupertino giant.

The ground stations use new high-power antennas designed and manufactured specifically for Apple by Cobham Satcom in Concord, California. These antennas were installed in all Globalstar worldwide ground stations, says Apple. 

Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service utilizes the spectrum in L and S bands specially designated for mobile satellite services by ITU Radio Regulations.

Emergency SOS will be available to customers in the US and Canada beginning later this month. The service will allow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models to connect directly to a satellite, enabling messaging with emergency services when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

[Image courtesy: Apple]

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