Apple has confirmed that emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will be officially available for use starting in November 2022.
- What is happening? Apple has confirmed that its new Emergency SOS via satellite feature will launch on the new iPhone 14 family later this month.
- What to do? Learn how an emergency SOS call via satellite works on this Apple page.
- Why care? You have to be careful because your life could be in danger if you get lost in the desert or at the North Pole without a cellular or Wi-Fi signal.
Emergency SOS via satellite will hit the iPhone in November
Apple announced an emergency SOS call via satellite along with the iPhone 14 family in September 2022. This feature was not ready for the launch of the iPhone 14 and Apple told us that we need to wait a bit while it puts everything in its place.
On November 10, 2022, Apple News posted a new press release confirming that an emergency SOS service via satellite will be launched later in November. The company did not give an exact launch date for this feature. We will be sure to let you know as soon as the Emergency SOS function via satellite is officially launched.
In partnership with Globstar
Initially available in the US and Canada, the feature uses the constellation and spectrum of mobile satellite services operated by Globalstar.
Texts are forwarded to emergency service providers. If your provider doesn’t accept text messages, the message is instead routed to emergency relay centers staffed by Apple-trained professionals who seek help on your behalf.
Apple has invested $450 million of its Advanced Manufacturing Fund into infrastructure development, including the expansion and improvement of Globalstar ground stations in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Puerto Rico and Texas.
“Apple’s investment has already resulted in improvements to Globalstar’s ground stations with the deployment of high-powered new antennas made specifically for Apple at Cobham Satcom’s factory in Concord, California,”the press release said. Read: How to View AirPods Firmware Update Release Notes
How Emergency SOS works via satellite
The emergency SOS service via satellite uses spectrum in the L and S bands specifically designated for mobile satellite services by the ITU Radio Regulations.
Here is Apple’s description of how it works:
When an iPhone user makes an emergency SOS call via satellite, the message is received by one of 24 Globalstar satellites in low Earth orbit moving at roughly 16,000 miles per hour. The satellite then sends the message to special ground stations located at key locations around the world.
More about these custom ground stations:
Once received by the ground station, the message is routed to emergency services who can send help, or to a relay center with Apple-trained emergency responders if the nearest emergency service cannot receive text messages.
Cobham Satcom supplies custom high power antennas installed in all Globalstar ground stations worldwide.
To connect the iPhone to the satellite network, users communicate through a range of mobile satellite services that Globalstar has been using in the US for the past 20 years. With upgraded ground stations and a soon-to-be-revamped satellite constellation, Apple and Globalstar will ensure spectrum continues to support emergency services.
As the name suggests, Emergency SOS via satellite is limited to texting emergency services and sharing your location via satellite using the Find My app. Phone calls and satellite data are not possible with this feature.
How much does an emergency SOS call cost via satellite?
Satellite SOS emergency service is free for two years with any iPhone 14 activation. After the first two years of using Apple, you’ll need to pay to continue using this feature. The emergency SOS service via satellite will be chargeable, but prices have not yet been disclosed.
Will iOS 16.2 introduce an emergency SOS call via satellite?
An emergency SOS call via satellite should be coming as part of the iOS 16.2 software update for iPhone. Apple just released a minor iOS 16.1.1 update and the company is currently testing iOS 16.2 with developers. For those interested, iOS 16.2 is due out in late November or early December.