Apple and Elon Musk in conflict over mobile satellite communications

A conflict is growing between Apple and Elon Musk’s SpaceX amid competition for spectrum to provide communications services in hard-to-reach and remote areas where traditional wireless service is either nonexistent or has limited coverage, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The iPhone maker is investing heavily in satellite communications to stay connected in areas without cellular infrastructure. SpaceX, meanwhile, has launched more than 550 satellites into orbit to provide cellular service through its Starlink service.

Last year, Apple invested $1.1 billion in Globalstar, a satellite operator that powers the iPhone’s satellite feature. Currently, Apple’s service allows users to send text messages in areas where cellular service is unavailable. The investment will help Globalstar expand its satellite constellation to better serve iPhone users.

Apple’s investment in satellite communications has angered Musk, according to the WSJ’s sources, prompting SpaceX to push federal regulators to stop Apple from pursuing the business. SpaceX recently asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject Globalstar’s application to allow it to use certain spectrum for a new network of satellites that would serve Apple’s program. According to the regulator’s filing, SpaceX argued that the spectrum used to transmit emergency signals to Apple users is an underutilized resource.

In August 2022, SpaceX and T-Mobile announced a joint project to provide text messaging in remote areas using the Starlink satellite constellation. Apple believes that SpaceX and T-Mobile’s announcement was made specifically to beat Apple to the launch of satellite-based emergency text messaging support for the iPhone.

Musk had previously considered launching smartphones after growing frustrated with Apple’s handling of third-party apps like X, the sources said.

SpaceX has access to many more satellites than Apple through its Starlink service, and experts say Globalstar alone won’t be able to meet the Cupertino company’s needs. Apple has been in talks with other satellite providers for years to secure more spectrum to operate. Apple previously worked with Boeing on a satellite service project that never came to fruition. The company has also explored investing in Colorado-based satellite operator EchoStar to launch additional satellites into space for that purpose.