Apple said on Tuesday that it’s Emergency SOS via satellite service is spreading to four more nations, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It is accessible on all iPhone 14 variants. The technology enables smartphone series users to send and receive messages with emergency services. It is useful even when they are outside the cellular network or Wi-Fi connectivity.
In addition, if users want to inform their relatives about their whereabouts, they can open the Find My app and reveal their live location through satellite from anywhere in the world, according to the business. According to Gary MAnchado, CEO of the European Emergency Number Association, Emergency SOS via satellite makes emergency communications over satellite more accessible, which is quite exciting.
According to John Anthony, President of the British Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, iPhone 14’s ability to use a satellite link to call 999 or 112 in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity is a milestone. As per Michael Kelly, the Emergency Call Answering Head, emergency SOS through satellite is a remarkable invention. It will save lives by assisting iPhone 14 users in distant places who might not otherwise be able to reach emergency services.
Emergency SOS through Satellite Mode is a brand-new feature on the recently announced Apple iPhone 14 line. The SOS mode is a regular function on practically all smartphones. But the one in the new iPhone 14 series is more advanced. The satellite-based SOS capability of the new iPhones had previously gone live in the United States and Canada. The function is currently available in a few selected European nations, and the brand has now been publicly announced.
Emergency Reporting
When cellular or Wi-Fi access is absent, the capability allows iPhone users to assist emergency services by sending SMS rather than traditional phone calls. After you attempt to call emergency services the traditional way but are unsuccessful, the iPhone 14 will prompt you to “Report Emergency”. This will offer you a questionnaire to gather information about your condition. Your location, altitude, iPhone battery life, and Medical ID will be uploaded together with your questionnaire responses (if available). Another option is to notify your emergency contacts.
The Cupertino company made considerable improvements to Globalstar’s ground stations and satellite network. As a result, roughly 300 Globalstar personnel will support the new iPhone 14 Emergency SOS service. According to Apple, Emergency SOS operates on a frequency reserved for mobile satellite services. Apple spent $450 million on the Emergency SOS program in total. The majority of the funds cast-off to construct the feature’s infrastructure in collaboration with satellite service provider Globalstar.
Feature availability
According to Apple, more countries will receive Emergency SOS through satellite beginning next year. Two years of service will be provided with the purchase of a compatible iPhone 14. This includes the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max. It is unknown how much the service will cost when the two years are up. You can try out this feature in demo mode. Both the Emergency SOS and Find My services, which function through satellite, require iOS 16.1 or later.
Of course, the standard Apple patent caveat applies, the corporation patents far more concepts than actually make it into goods and services. However, with satellite communications spreading from the domain of adventurers and yacht owners to average Internet users, the company’s investment in the technology makes sense.
Is Apple playing a long game here in order to provide greater satellite services to iPhone users? Only time will be able to clear this out. But eventually, this might help to save the lives of many in the future.
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