Via a press release, Apple has announced that satellite functions for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will be available this November. For users in the United States and Canada. Surprisingly, the final investment for this development was $450 million.

Emergency SOS on iPhone 14 will be available at the end of November

let’s remember this this function was announced at the presentation of said devices. When there is no service from the operator, users will be able to connect to a satellite dish to send location to relatives with a short text message.

this $450 million investment will support the operational features of the satellitePart of this investment will go to Globalstar, the company behind the satellites.

The Globalstar team is in the field. Photo from Apple Newsroom

Users in available regions will be able to use the service as soon as Apple launches it. Free for 2 years from launch. There is still no estimate on how much the service will cost after that period.

When will it arrive in other countries and how does it work?

Our little luck Apple has yet to announce expansion plans for this functionality in European countries like ours and other regions like Latin America.. If it is successful in the short term and expansion is easy, we have no doubt that the 2023 scope will be announced to new countries.

this Emergency SOS function works using the L and S spectrum bands establishing a connection with the above mentioned satellites. The user should make sure he finds clear skies so the iPhone 14 is within range of the satellite in question. The display of the device will help to show the right direction. The following fact is interesting: There are 24 satellites of Globalstar on planet Earth..

iPhone 14 SOS Emergency Usage Instructions.Photo from Apple Newsroom

This message is carried to ground stations when immediate contact is made with the satellite. If the area where the medical or emergency services are located accepts SMS, the message will be delivered instantly. If the latter fails, the message is forwarded on behalf of Apple’s contractors.

The great thing included in this service is, Location broadcast via Find My app. In an extreme case with no battery or coverage, We are confident that this function will save many lives. This feature is in imminent danger, as it has done so many times for as long as it exists. We expect this feature to come to the current version of iOS 16.1 with a server change or extra software update.