Apple has been advancing in satellite communication for the iPhone for years, allowing functions such as emergency SOS and road assistance to be possible without the need for mobile coverage. In fact, in recent times, they have made it possible to send certain messages through their native app.
But their plans to extend this technology further have collided with an unexpected obstacle: Elon Musk. According to the Wall Street Journal, Spacex is trying to stop Apple's growth in this sector, with the excuse that Apple's incursion would be generating problems with the frequency spectrum and its impact on the industry.
Apple vs Elon Musk: Who will win?
At the moment, Apple works with GlobalStar To offer its satellite functions, although it has also explored a possible alliance with Starlink, the Musk company, in collaboration with T-Mobile. However, it seems that the relationship between both companies has cooled, since Musk is not happy with Apple's investment in Globalstar or with its interest in expanding its satellite communication services. The conflict has climbed to the point that Spacex has pressed regulators to limit Apple's growth in this area.
The main problem lies in the radio spectrum. For satellites to work properly, they need to operate in specific frequency bands, which are strictly regulated and limited. Each company that offers satellite communication seeks to ensure as much space as possible within this spectrum, which is causing a difficult competition to manage. Spacexwho already dominates the market with Starlink, sees Apple as a threat if it manages to consolidate its own satellite infrastructure.
This is not Musk's first confrontation with another technological company around the spectrum. Starlink has already had problems with Amazon and some telecommunications operators for their aggressive expansion. In the case of Apple, the situation is even more delicate, since the Cupertino company has avoided building its own satellite constellation, opting instead of collaborating with Globalstar and other partners. Despite this, Spacex seems determined to Block any advance that can reduce your domain in the sector.
New satellite functions on the iPhone
In the short term, the dispute could delay the arrival of new satellite functions to the iPhone. Apple had planned to expand satellite connectivity this summer with an improvement in coverage, but if the regulators yield to the Spacex pressure, the deployment could be complicated. On the other hand, Apple continues to explore ways to diversify its access to satellite networks, which suggests that it has no intention of depending solely on Globalstar or Starlink.
This conflict can be a key point in the global connectivity industry. While Apple seeks to offer users more independence from traditional mobile networks, Spacex tries to consolidate their position as an absolute leader of the satellite Internet. The question now is whether regulators will allow Musk to have total control or if Apple can move forward with its ambitious satellite communication plan without restrictions.
