Apple launches iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS service in four European countries

The use of satellites to fill gaps in cellular and Wi-Fi coverage became a growing trend in 2022

Apple has launched its Emergency SOS service, available on iPhone 14 models, in France, Germany, Ireland and the UK, a month after the service started in the US.

Users of iPhone 14 can contact emergency services even when they do not have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage via satellite or use the service to reassure family, friends and colleagues via the Find My app by sharing their location.

Apple will provide the Emergency SOS service more countries next year.

The service is bundled with iPhone 14 models and free for two years. It is unclear what Apple will charge for the service at the end of those two years.

Minding the gaps

Filling gaps in mobile and Wi-Fi coverage with satellites from a smartphone, rather than needing a specialist satellite device, is something of a growing trend. In August, T-Mobile US and Space-X announced a Coverage and Beyond plan across the US and said that eventually they intend to extend the service internationally working with other mobile operators, for US customers roaming abroad.

In the first instance, the service is free of charge on T-Mobile’s “most popular” plans.

Earlier this month, AST Spacemobile announced it had secured a further $75 million in funding. It describes itself as “building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio.

“Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.”

Omnispace and Lynk Global have similar plans. It’s getting mighty crowded up there.

Stargazing

Interestingly, one of CCS Insights’ predictions for 2025 is that a telecom provider will emerge that claims to offer global coverage, with the worldwide service mainly achieved through satellite connectivity which can cover extremely wide areas and is aimed at world travellers and high net-worth individuals.

It will be supported by the operator’s fixed line and mobile networks, cloud-edge infrastructure and extensive roaming partnerships. CCS Insights also predicts that any telecom provider making such a claim will face detractors that claim there are substantial caveats.