No, Apple Didn’t Partner With SpaceX to Put Starlink on iPhones
Beyond the latest introduction features iOS 18.3 updaterumored that the iPhone feature now includes a new addition: Connect to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.
The alarm bell rang on social media Support forum Apple has reached an agreement with Elon Musk-owned space company, including Tiktok video Users are advised to avoid upgrading to iOS 18.3 or “your Star Link in your pocket,” but the assumed Apple and SpaceX partnership is not correct.
Instead, the iOS 18.3 update will only benefit iPhone owners from the different partnerships between T-Mobile and SpaceX, where carrier customers will be able to leverage the latter’s satellite network when there is no battery signal. connect.
In December, T-Mobile announced that its customers can register the Beta program through Starlink satellite “early 2025” to test connectivity. After this schedule, it makes sense that Apple can now introduce this feature in the iPhone.
renew Apple Support Page Further shed light on how iPhone users now selectively switch or turn off satellite connections through their carriers. Just go Settings > Cellular > Your carrier or phone number and turn off the satellite (if it is not visible, your carrier will not provide this service or provide it for your plan).
Owners of iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 phones can still access emergency SOS and social texting through Apple’s own satellite service, which uses Globalstar’s satellite network. It can also be used with the operator’s satellite services.
With the upcoming beta testing, T-Mobile is ahead of providing customers with satellite connectivity in the operator competition. Being able to stay in touch with social or emergency messages beyond the reach of mobile networks has been a differentiator for iPhones over the years and is likely to be the carrier trumpet as its value to its competitors’ services. The cost of satellite connectivity is not yet known, but like 5G, it is the next frontier for expanding coverage.
AT&T and Verizon Although the company Just received FCC approval Use its initial five commercial satellites to provide cellular broadband capabilities to land operator customers.
The same goes for Verizon Partner with satellite network company Skylo Back in August, to supplement its non-accident network customer coverage. Also, Verizon still has a Partnership with Amazon Project Kuiper Dating back to 2021, it can still provide backhaul coverage for its cellular network and other possible future work (Stars Corporation The first two test satellites were launched Back to October).
