iPhone supports Starlink – but only in the USA
T-Mobile has signed a contract with Elon Musk's Starlink to offer satellite coverage for text messages. A beta is also running with the iPhone.
Many satellites in space: illustration of the Starlink network.
(Image: CG Alex/Shutterstock.com)
Apple's iPhone can also make contact with the Starlink satellite radio network. This has now been demonstrated in the USA by the local Telekom subsidiary T-Mobile. As part of a beta, users can register to send text messages via Starlink's earth satellites. Apple had previously only offered its own service via Starlink competitor Globalstar, which is also available in other countries.
Activation from iOS 18.3
According to a media report, Apple has been working "in secret" with Starlink parent company SpaceX and T-Mobile USA to create "an alternative to the manufacturer's in-house satellite communications service". The iPhones themselves apparently work with Starlink as standard, provided it is an iPhone 14 or higher. Previously, T-Mobile USA had already worked with Samsung to offer Starlink services. The feature has now been enabled as part of iOS 18.3, which Apple made available on Monday.
T-Mobile USA only announced that it had begun the rollout on "select optimized smartphones". The full launch of the system will support "the vast majority of modern smartphones". Initially, it will probably only be about sending text messages and locations. Musk himself stated this week that the next generation of his satellite constellation will also be able to transmit medium-resolution videos, but currently medium-resolution images, music and audio podcasts are already possible as part of the "direct-to-phone" connection.
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Musk already spoke to Apple years ago
As mentioned, Apple's main partner for satellite radio is currently Globalstar. However, there has been speculation since 2022 that a contract with Starlink could also be signed. Musk himself had praised Apple and spoken of "promising talks". But then nothing happened at first. It is unclear when coverage will also be possible in other regions of the world. T-Mobile USA also wants to offer data connections and phone calls via Starlink in the future. Globalstar, on the other hand, covers various regions of the world via Apple.
The idea behind satellite radio is always to give iPhones (and other cell phones) network coverage outside areas where there is a lack of regular cell phone antennas. The satellites are therefore not a replacement for the regular mobile network, but a supplement. There is currently speculation that Apple intends to offer satellite radio on a watch for the first time with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in the fall. The service is currently free, but a subscription fee will be charged at a later date. Most recently, this was opened up not only for emergency calls, but also for regular text messages.
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