November 10, 2022
Update
Emergency SOS by Satellite iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lineup powered by Apple’s $450 million investment in US infrastructure
Satellite networks and ground stations will roll out the new service later this month.
A $450 million investment from Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund will provide critical infrastructure to support emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models. Available to customers in the US and Canada starting later this month, the new service allows iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models to connect directly to satellites, enabling communications with emergency services outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Most of the funding goes to Globalstar, a global satellite service headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, with facilities across the US. Apple’s investment will provide critical upgrades to Globalstar’s satellite network and ground stations, ensuring iPhone 14 users can stay connected to emergency services when they’re off the grid. More than 300 employees at Globalstar support the new service.
“Emergency SOS via satellite is a perfect example of how American ingenuity and technology can save lives,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We’re proud that this service is powered by major U.S. companies and that our users can explore off-grid locations knowing they can still reach them if they need emergency services.”
Emergency SOS via satellite is one of the emergency safety capabilities that the iPhone 14 lineup offers. Crash Detection can now detect a serious car accident and immediately call emergency services when the user is unconscious or unable to access the iPhone.
In partnership with Globalstar, Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite service uses the L and S bands of spectrum designated by the ITU Radio Regulations specifically for mobile satellite service. When an iPhone user sends an emergency SOS using a satellite request, the message is received by one of Globalstar’s 24 satellites in low Earth orbit at 16,000 mph. The satellite then sends the message to custom ground stations located at key locations around the world.
Once it reaches a ground station, the message is sent to emergency services that can send help, or Apple-trained emergency specialists to a relay center if the nearest emergency service location can’t receive the text message.
Globalstar Executive Chairman Jay Monroe said: “Emergency SOS by satellite directly to iPhone is a generational advance in satellite communications, and we are proud that Globalstar’s satellites and spectrum assets play a central role in saving lives.” “With Apple’s infrastructure investment, we’ve leveraged our teams to build, expand and grow our ground stations in California and beyond, and we look forward to the next phase of Globalstar’s lifesaving technology.”
The ground stations use new high-power antennas designed and built for Apple by Cobham Satcom in Concord, California. Cobham’s employees engineer and manufacture high-powered antennas that receive signals transmitted by satellite constellations. In addition to texting emergency services, iPhone users can also share their location via satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity is unavailable, providing a sense of security when away from the usual communications network.
To increase reliability and coverage, these new antennas have been installed at all of Globalstar’s international ground stations, including new ground stations in Nevada and Hawaii, as well as buildings in Texas, Alaska, Florida and Puerto Rico. Multiple antennas at each ground station communicate with the satellites and transmit the information provided by the user to help them get the help they need.
To connect the iPhone to a satellite network, users connect to the mobile satellite service spectrum, which Globalstar has operated in the US for the past 20 years. With improved ground stations, and a recently updated satellite constellation, Apple and Globalstar ensure that the emergency services activation spectrum continues.
In addition to basic security features, the iPhone 14 lineup features advanced camera systems, all-day battery life, and industry-leading durability features. Customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 14 lineup can save up to $1,000 with the deal when they activate their devices with US carriers.
In the year In 2021, Apple announced an acceleration of US investments, planning to make more than $430 billion in new investments over a five-year period.
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Nick Lea
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