APPLE

Company has completed hardware tests for satellite communications for the iPhone 14

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple actually worked on satellite communications for the iPhone 14 and completed hardware testing for the feature before mass production of smartphones.

He confirmed that smartphones have hardware support for satellite communications, but whether the iPhone 14 will support satellite communications depends on "whether Apple and carriers can agree on a business model." The iPhone 13 also has satellite hardware, but connectivity has not been implemented because "the business model has not been agreed".

It's hard to predict when the iPhone will offer satellite service, Kuo said, but that's expected to happen "eventually." Satellite communications are expected to be used for emergency text messaging and voice services. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iPhone users will be able to use satellite communications to report emergencies to authorities in areas without cell service and send short messages to contacts in case of an emergency.

Rumor has it that Apple is working with Globalstar. Kuo confirms this rumor. Satellite communications consultant Tim Ferrar also said on Friday that he expects Apple and Globalstar to release a satellite communications feature for the iPhone 14.

Last week, T-Mobile and SpaceX announced plans to bring 5G smartphone connectivity anywhere in the United States using a cellular satellite service.

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