Apple Spending $1.5 Billion to Expand Satellite Service

[cdmagurus.com]

A securities filing has revealed a new deal between Apple and Globalstar that will see Apple spend around $1.5 billion in exchange for "the expansion of iPhone services" as well as a 20% equity stake in Globalstar. Globalstar already provides the orbital satellite network for Apple's satellite communication service for iPhones, including Emergency SOS via satellite and Messages via satellite. Globalstar currently operates 31 satellites and allocates 85% of its network capacity to Apple. The company has ordered as many as 26 new satellites to replenish and upgrade its constellation. Competitors such as Iridium and Skylo provide similar services for non-Apple phones. All of these services require specific support in phone hardware, while SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are preparing to launch satellite coverage services that work with existing phones.


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