This year’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro feature satellite connectivity allowing users to access Emergency SOS via satellite without cellular or Wi-Fi. The feature will arrive in November and at launch, it will be exclusive to the United States and Canada. However, Apple is reportedly planning to expand satellite connectivity to other regions.
Emergency SOS via Satellite to be expanded to other regions outside of the United States and Canada
According to Swiss website MacPrime, Apple is expected to announce additional countries for Emergency SOS via Satellite. However, we do not know which countries are going to be included as of right now.
We know that satellite connectivity will allow users to send messages and make phone calls without any signals present, but how will that work exactly? When using the feature, your iPhone will front-load a few important questions to assess your situation.
It will then show you when to point your device in order to connect to a satellite. In case your situation is time-sensitive and you need to reach emergency-service providers as soon as possible, Apple says the “initial questionnaire and follow-up messages are then relayed to centers staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf.”
Emergency SOS via satellite was designed for use in open spaces with a clear line of sight to the sky. Performance may be impacted by obstructions such as trees or surrounding buildings. iPhone will continue to operate under normal temperature conditions.
In addition to this, the connectivity also allows users to manually share their location with Apple’s Find My network without the requirement of cellular or Wi-Fi. This will especially prove useful for users who are hiking or camping in areas where cellular coverage is spotty due to a lack of cellular towers, allowing them to feel more secure.
As per Apple’s announcement, the service will be free for two years. It is unclear how much it will cost after the two years are up.
Read more:
- Apple is prioritizing production of iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro tidbits: thickness, brighter display, autofocus, 4K Cinematic mode, Emergency SOS via satellite cost and more
- Apple introduces two new finishes for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: Space Black and Deep Purple
- iPhone 14 Pro benchmarks on Geekbench reveal minor A16 chip performance improvement
