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Emergency Satellite Communications on the iPhone 13?
Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 13 could use a modified Qualcomm X60 modem to support satellite connectivity to make calls and send messages.
According to Kuo. The iPhone 13 would feature low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication connectivity Given Kuo’s status, that’s a big bit of news, given the device is a month or two away at most.
Apple’s “Emergency Message via Satellite will let users text emergency services and contacts over a satellite network when there’s no cell signal available,” and will “appear with gray message bubbles instead of green or blue. ”Another concept is in a crisis: “a tool to report major emergencies, such as plane crashes and sinking ships, also using satellite networks.”
Bloomberg compared the system with Garmin’s inReach device and identifying challenges Apple will have baking this into a standard iPhone, with an extended antenna looking like a device from the early 2000s.
--And though the next iPhone could have the hardware needed for satellite communications, the features are unlikely to be ready before next year,” said another person, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t yet public. “The features could also change or be scrapped before they’re released.”
Recent commentary from those in the know, claim it won’t happen on the 13.
Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 13 could use a modified Qualcomm X60 modem to support satellite connectivity to make calls and send messages.
According to Kuo. The iPhone 13 would feature low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication connectivity Given Kuo’s status, that’s a big bit of news, given the device is a month or two away at most.
- It is surprising to get this close to an iPhone launch and have bidirectional satellite communication emerge this late.
- The benefits are significant: Apple being able to offer satellite messaging and calls for free would benefit a bunch of rural folks, travelers, sailors…
- GPS uses satellites already, of course, but it’s a one-way link, not communication.
- Questions include: How will this affect battery draw? Antenna design?
- Globalstar has been aiming to utilize a 11.5MHz portion of the 2.4GHz spectrum band for some time.
- The Qualcomm X65 supports those bands, but X60 doesn’t, meaning modifications to that modem, further mudding the waters.
- Apple might be adding another radio band for 4G/5G connections in the US at least, which may be helpful for better service.
Apple’s “Emergency Message via Satellite will let users text emergency services and contacts over a satellite network when there’s no cell signal available,” and will “appear with gray message bubbles instead of green or blue. ”Another concept is in a crisis: “a tool to report major emergencies, such as plane crashes and sinking ships, also using satellite networks.”
Bloomberg compared the system with Garmin’s inReach device and identifying challenges Apple will have baking this into a standard iPhone, with an extended antenna looking like a device from the early 2000s.
--And though the next iPhone could have the hardware needed for satellite communications, the features are unlikely to be ready before next year,” said another person, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t yet public. “The features could also change or be scrapped before they’re released.”
Recent commentary from those in the know, claim it won’t happen on the 13.
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