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Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and T-Mobile Inc. have been working together to bring Starlink satellite connectivity to Apple’s iPhones.
According to a Bloomberg story, Starlink compatibility is now available on Apple’s iPhones. The most recent software version, iOS 18.3, was issued on Monday. Apple’s official notes for iOS 18.3 did not mention this change.
Starlink is an alternative to Apple’s own satellite communication service, and its arrival on the iPhone will give users more options.
At this time, the only capabilities available on Apple’s satellite service—which is powered by Globalstar’s network of low-orbit satellites—are the ability to send and receive texts, share locations, and call emergency services.
Starlink support may or may not upgrade these capabilities to accommodate more standard phone functions like making and receiving calls and connecting to the internet.
SpaceX and T-Mobile US Inc (NASDAQ: TMUS) formed a partnership over three years ago so that T-Mobile’s Starlink customers could access satellite communication services. It was reported earlier in January that SpaceX was getting ready to start beta testing the service.
Starlink offers its satellite communication services in more than 100 nations and territories, making it the largest provider in the industry. Both the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent California wildfire relief operations made heavy use of the service.
