Will Apple stop at Messages via Satellite?

With Messages via Satellite, iOS 18 shows that Apple is going into space — and as more satellites are put in place, it will expand the capabilities of the services it provides.

Introduced at WWDC, Apple Intelligence gorged gargantuan quantities of media attention, but Apple’s plans for outers space are important, too.  Available in the US with iOS 18 on iPhone 14 or later, Messages via satellite allows users to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tap backs over iMessage and SMS when a cellular or Wi-Fi connection is not available.

Satellite and iPhone chips

Apple is basically broadening the feature set it introduced when it launched SOS by Satellite (now available in multiple countries) in 2022 to include any kind of message. The system works in the same way: “Messages via satellite automatically prompts users to connect to their nearest satellite right from the Messages app to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tap backs over iMessage and SMS,” Apple explained. “Because iMessage was built to protect user privacy, iMessages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted.”

How Messages via Satellite works

When you aren’t connected to a network, a prompt will appear on your iPhone inviting you to use satellite services. 

• Tap that to access Messages, Find My, Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance. If you select Messages, a prompt will appear giving you an option to connect by satellite.
• Choose this and your iPhone will guide you to get to the best satellite connection.
• When typing your message, you’ll see an alert appear in the text entry field to show you that you are connecting via satellite.
• Feedback from the first reviewers to use the feature suggests it can take a little longer to send a message if the satellite connection is weak; at other times, it can feel as swift as normal messaging.
• All Apple’s satellite services are free for now, but the company has said enough to suggest this might eventually change.
• You do need an iPhone 14 or later to access these services.
• See also How to use Emergency SOS via Satellite.

That’s Messages via Satellite. 

What about Apple in space?

The Apple partnership is important to its satellite company partner.  “We are the operator for certain satellite-enabled services offered by Apple,” says Globalstar’s most recent annual report, which informs us that wholesale capacity services (which includes the Apple business) accounted for around 48% of company revenue last year.

“Wholesale satellite capacity services include satellite network access and related services using our satellite spectrum and network of satellites and gateways,” the report said. Under the Apple deal (also discussed here, and here), Globalstar must allocate network capacity to support Apple’s services and enable Band 53/53n for cellular services

In return, Apple pays recurring service fees, certain operating expenses and capital expenditures, and bonuses. Apple also supports investments in new satellite capacity. Globalstar hopes to launch another 26 satellites by next year; a German report claimed it might have more than 3,000 of them in flight in the next few years. 

The network space race

“We are excited about the new satellites that we have under construction to enhance our constellation following their launch, which is expected in 2025: more satellites mean more power on orbit that we can use to create additional supply to meet the growing demand for LEO capacity,” Globalstar said in its recent report. 

It is reasonably easy to guess that part of this increase in capacity will be dedicated to making Apple’s existing satellite services global. Following that logic, this implies the company will soon have in place an international system that supports end-to-end encrypted messaging and relies on non-nation-state infrastructure. 

At least one space expert thinks Apple will choose to widen the network to become a full space communications service — broadly in line with predictions from Bloomberg in 2020. Though these are “unlikely” to be the primary network for most people because of limitations on capacity and performance — at least, so far — as space agencies explore the potential to put data centers in space, and as network capability and processor performance improves, at what point will such communications become feasible? There sure seems to be money going in that direction.

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