Apple, SpaceX working to bring Starlink support to iPhone- Bloomberg

Published 29/01/2025, 03:34
© Reuters

Investing.com-- Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been working with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and T-Mobile Inc to add support for the Starlink satellite network to its iPhones, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Apple’s latest software update for its iPhone- iOS 18.3, which was released on Monday- brings Starlink support to its devices, the Bloomberg report said. Apple’s official release notes on iOS 18.3 made no mention of this addition. 

The addition of Starlink support will provide iPhone users with an alternative to Apple’s in-house satellite communication service. 

Apple’s satellite service- which uses Globalstar’s network of low-orbit satellites- currently offers limited features, which consist of contacting emergency services, texting, and location sharing. 

It was not immediately clear whether Starlink support would expand these features to include support for conventional phone features, such as calls and internet connectivity. 

SpaceX had tied up with T-Mobile US Inc (NASDAQ:TMUS) nearly three years ago to provide satellite communication services to the latter’s customers through Starlink. Reports earlier in January indicated that SpaceX was preparing to begin beta testing the service. 

Starlink is by far the largest provider of satellite communication services, with coverage in over 100 countries and territories. The service was recently deployed to aid with relief efforts in the California wildfires, and was also used extensively in the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.