Following last week’s discussion as to whether Apple’s next-gen iPhone could ofer satellite communications support, a note offered by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated that while the feature will be included, it might only be available for handsets “in select markets.” The feature is one that will only work as an emergency measure, both in specific markets and only if there isn’t any cellular coverage.
Gurman’s “Power On” newsletter points out that the feature won’t enable satellite calls to be made anywhere without using cellular access, as that would “cause a revolt from the phone carriers that Apple relies on.”
Even though the feature may not be immediately available, Apple is apparently interested in enabling more satellite communications in the future, envisioning “deploying its own array of satellites to beam data to devices.” However, that plan “is likely years away from taking off.”
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and Bloomberg