Apple strengthens its partnership with Globalstar, whose satellites it uses for its assistance functions. In a financial press release, the operator announces an extension to the agreement already in force with Apple.
Apple will commit an additional $1.1 billion to cover infrastructure expenses, increase its partner's satellite capacities and enable it to repay debts. The agreement with Globalstar goes further since Apple will take a 20% stake in shares for a value of 400 million dollars. These are category B shares which do not give (or less) voting rights on decisions than category A shares.
This still demonstrates the interest that Apple continues to show in this mode of communication which it began to use in 2022 with the satellite SOS function on the iPhone 14.
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This service was extended this year with communications via Messages, to chat with loved ones and no longer just to share your position in a white zone, contact emergency services or obtain roadside assistance. This new aspect of satellite services in iOS 18 has not yet arrived in Europe.
iOS 18: getting started with Satellite Messages
Apple and Globalstar have communicated twice about the financial ties that unite them. In November 2022, Apple said it had spent $450 million on this new service, the majority of which went to Globalstar. This had made more than 300 people available to work with the apple. In February 2023, an Apple loan of $252 million was made public. This time, Apple is getting a foothold in the company through this entry into capital.
What Apple has never communicated about is how it intends to bill for this service, which remains offered free of charge in all countries where it operates (apart from roadside assistance which relies on other players). It was planned that this generosity would only last two years, but time passed and the free service was extended without us knowing more about Apple's intentions.
This original capability of the iPhone 14 and its successors has arrived on Android 15, in the United States to begin with. Google found its Globalstar in Garmin, which already offered Response, a subscription service. The plan chosen is that of Apple at the start: integration of the Garmin Response service with the Pixel 9 for SOS calls and free for the first two years.
Garmin will take care of satellite emergencies for Pixel 9 under Android 15
