Apple introduced a new safety feature ‘Emergency SOS via satellite’ on iPhone 14 series which connects users facing an emergency in remote areas without Wi-Fi or data coverage with emergency services via satellite.
Ahead of the service’s launch later this month in the US and Canada, Apple shared that it invested $450 million from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund in critical infrastructure like satellite network and ground stations in the United States to make ‘Emergency SOS via satellite’ possible.
Globalstar is Apple’s exclusive partner to offer the ‘Emergency SOS via satellite’ feature
Apple’s SEC filing discovered in September revealed that the tech giant would use 85% of Globalstar’s current and future network capacity for the ‘Emergency SOS via satellite’ safety feature and it would spend 95% of its $450 million fund on Globalstar’s capital expenditures on maintenance and growth of its satellite network.
Confirming the aforementioned information, Apple’s new article on the development of the new safety feature states that the majority of the company funding goes to Globalstar to enhance its satellite network and ground stations across the U.S.
As users require mobile satellite services spectrum to communicate, Apple also shared that it and Globalstar would ensure the spectrum continues with upgraded group stations and an updated satellite constellation to enable emergency services.
Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams said:
“Emergency SOS via satellite is a perfect example of how American ingenuity and technology can save lives. We are proud this service is enabled by leading US companies, and that our users can explore off-the-grid areas knowing they are still within reach of emergency services if they are in need.”
Impressed by the new safety feature and development of infrastructure, the CEO of Tesla, Starlink, and Twitter, Elon Musk also teased a potential partnership with the Cupertino tech giant in the future. Reportedly, Apple also plans to expand the feature in additional countries.
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