You’ve probably seen a satellite phone in a movie. They are usually depicted as black bricks that let you call home from Mount Everest for $100 a minute. Whether you’re a climber or not, technology has gotten smaller, better, and much cheaper. In fact, you may have a satphone in your pocket right now and not even know it.
Countless people in western North Carolina realized this in the wake of Hurricane Helen, which left cities and counties without power, water and cell service. The latest generation of smartphones, however, can connect directly to satellites. This means you can send text messages and make emergency phone calls, even without a working cell tower miles away.
“Due to the lack of cell service, everyone in Asheville NC is currently able to receive messages through the satellite messaging feature in iOS 18,” said Asheville resident Matt Van Sol. He said in a tweet. “It literally saves lives.”
Apple features really allow you to Send iMessages and SMS messages via satelliteAnd it’s only available for a few weeks, thanks to the latest iPhone operating system upgrade Anyone with an iPhone 14 or newer can install the software and access satellite-based messaging. The service is currently free for the first two years after you activate or update your device (Apple hasn’t said how much it will cost after that).
To send a message via satellite, you must be outside, away from obstacles such as buildings and trees. Then, you point your iPhone at the sky — just like they do in the movies when looking for a signal. An onscreen prompt will direct you to a satellite, and when you connect, you can send a message to anyone. It takes a time: up to 30 seconds to send the complete message. You can also receive messages, but only from Your emergency contact And Members of your family sharing account.
Apple isn’t the only one jumping on the satphone bandwagon. Google has launched a similar service Called Satellite SOS For its Pixel 9 series of devices, which hit shelves in August. It’s free for the first two years, and requires you to use the Google Messages app.
These texting services are not necessarily designed as lifelines. In fact, Apple specifically states, “Messages via satellite should not be used in emergencies.” is it his Emergency SOS via satellite featureWhich since 2022, is designed to do Google offers a similar one Satellite SOS feature. Apple also offers Roadside assistance via satellite If your vehicle breaks down or crashes in a remote area.
The big difference between texting services and those SOS options is that, instead of staying in touch with family and friends, SOS services connect you directly to emergency services, with whom you can share your location and details of your emergency. The new iMessage and SMS service is, for now, a fun, free way to text your friends while you summit Mount Everest. And it obviously comes in handy if “biblical doom” hits your part of the world and you want to let loved ones know you’re okay.
Apple and Google didn’t enable these futuristic new services with a simple software update or even a new generation of phones. Enabling cellphones to connect directly to satellites — also known as direct-to-cell technology — has been years in the making. More access to satellite-based communications has also changed the sky. you can look now The constellation of satellites flying above you is designed to solve the very difficult problem of beaming signals from your phone into space and back down to someone else’s device. To make this possible, a growing list of companies are launching more satellites into orbit and developing new methods of triangulating signals. called beamforming.
If you’re familiar with satellite-based broadband pioneered by companies like Starlink, the way direct-to-cell satellite technology works will sound familiar. The basic idea is to build cell towers in space. That way they can receive signals from devices in service on Earth and bounce it back to ground-based cell towers or even specific devices, much in the same way that cell tower networks keep all our phones connected to the ground here.
To do this, several companies have launched large constellations of satellites into low-Earth orbit several hundred miles above, where they speed around the planet at hundreds of thousands of miles per hour. The challenge then is to find the devices on the ground when the satellites are moving so fast. That’s where larger antennas and beamforming come in. Larger antennas allow satellites to pick up more radio waves faster, and beamforming allows satellites to send signals from multiple sources that combine to create a stronger signal. (If you want a more technical explanation of how this works, This is a good guide.)
A number of companies you’ve probably never heard of are making this possible. Working with Apple A satellite partner called Globalstar for its new services. For its new Pixel 9 lineup, Google Teamed up with Skylowhich also Working with Verizon To provide direct-to-sale capabilities to its customers.
And then there’s the Elon Musk company you’ve probably heard of. T-Mobile Has a partnership with SpaceXWhich is the first few sets sent Starlink satellite into orbit earlier this year as part of the effort. Although the system is successful testedIt’s unclear when this network will come online for T-Mobile customers. Meanwhile the Starlink satellites themselves Visibly very bright in the night sky.
As all these disjointed efforts to connect cellphones to the stars come to fruition, we can expect a near future where you’ll never be without a signal. You can send your kids details about wildlife deep in the Amazon rainforest or get updates about the playoffs in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And that’s not even taking into account how many lives could be saved by offering a lifeline to those in trouble.
Expect all these services to cost money. But in two or more years you have to test it for free, give the satphone experience a try. You can learn more about setting up satellite messaging on an iPhone here And Emergency SOS feature on Google Pixel 9 devices here.
If your phone is a few years old or not made by Apple or Google, you don’t have this capability. Don’t expect to rely on these features in a disaster. For better or worse, the future of extraterrestrial communication is built on Big Tech’s endless upgrade cycle.
