Mobile phone SOS texting via satellite
As of Nov 15 2022, you can send an emergency text (in the US and Canada) on an iPhone 14 via satellite - no cell coverage required. If you’re outside cell coverage and run your car into a snowbank, crash your mountain bike, have a climbing accident, or simply get lost, your potential epic may have a MUCH better ending.
You knew it was coming; I've been predicting and waiting for this advance for a long time. It’s starting with Apple, and it's very likely Android will soon follow. This is a great use of technology that will definitely save lives, and will surely be welcomed by Search and Rescue (SAR) teams.
Map of cell phone coverage from all carriers in the western United States, (from a GaiaGPS screen grab)
You can see substantial portions of Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado Rockies, Oregon and Washington Cascades, and the California Sierra lack cell coverage. That's where most of the fun is!
image: GaiaGPS screen grab
Apple iPhone 14
Here's how it works:
This service is for emergency communications only, and not for normal calls, texts, or data.
To begin, dial 911. If you can't be connected through the cell network, satellite connectivity is initiated.
For best results, you need to point your phone toward a satellite in the sky. Your phone walks you through this. Having a clear view of the sky and minimal tree cover is best.
There are some programmed screens that walk you through the process of requesting emergency help, check the screen grabs above.
Very cool: There's even a demonstration mode, so you can practice going through all the steps before you (hopefully never) use it for real. This demo mode uses real satellite connectivity so you can see how it works in real time. Settings > Emergency SOS > Try Demo.
If you have a predefined emergency contact on your phone, that person can also be notified, and be included in the ongoing text chain between you and 911. (Settings > > Emergency SOS > Set Up Emergency Contacts in Health > Create Medical ID). Check the last box for “Share During Emergency Call.”
If you're in an area where emergency services can receive text messages, the text message will be sent directly, otherwise it will go to a relay center with Apple-trained specialists that will be able to place an emergency call for you. (Note that many 911 call centers in the United States can’t receive text messages directly; I know, that’s pretty sad . . .)
If you don’t have an emergency, you can share your location through the “Find My” function to show others where you are. This could be used similar to the “Here’s my coordinates, everything‘s OK” check in function that comes with standalone satcom devices.) See photo below.
This service will be free for two years, and then Apple will probably start charging some sort of subscription fee.
Starting December 2022, this service will be available to certain European countries - France, the UK, Ireland, and Germany. (Expect the rest of Europe to soon follow.)
Apple says the service might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.
Globalstar is Apple's satellite operator.
Read more: Detailed explainer article
Here's a photo of how you can share your location via satellite in a non-emergency. This could be used as a daily check-in with concerned folks at home, for example.
image: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/11/apple-iphone-satellite-sos-emergency-explainer.html/amp
Here's a nice video that shows the process.
T-Mobile and Starlink . . . someday
In August 2022, T-Mobile announced a partnership with Starlink. Starting with the next generation of Starlink satellites, to be launched next year, T-Mobile 5G service will include satellite text messaging.
Now, if this was just Elon Musk tossing out his latest dream-of-the-future that’d be one thing. But it was announced at a major T-Mobile promotional event, so I’d like to think that carries a little more weight.
Here’s a summary of how it’s supposed to work, as best as I can piece together from several web articles:
T-Mobile’s “vision” is for it to be included for free in the carrier’s “most popular plans.”
For lower cost data plans, some sort of monthly service fee will probably apply.
Two way text messaging is offered initially. Voice and limited data may come later.
Service will be “everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters.”
Your current phone can use the satellites, no additional hardware required.
T-Mobile says, “There may also be a considerable delay of half an hour or so until the message is sent or received.” (Whoops, that doesn't sound so good.)
Anticipated timeframe: mid 2023
Read more: T-Mobile website
Sounds like if you have an iPhone 14 and your carrier is T-Mobile, you might have access to both of these options?
Whether or not you choose to switch to T-Mobile, love or hate Elon Musk, or don’t want to upgrade to the latest iPhone, I think we can all agree that this is a great use of technology that will absolutely save lives.
What if you already own a dedicated satcom device, such as a Garmin inReach, or my favorite, the ZOLEO?
That probably depends on the remoteness of your trips, how long you stay out, the potential risk of your activities, and what your texting needs are.
The iPhone is (for now) geared towards emergency communications only.
If you . . .
have anxious loved ones at home who want a daily check-in text that “all is well”
park your camper van/truck in the boonies for a week and need to stay in touch
are a social media star and want to post to your fans from your latest through hike or expedition
need weather forecasts in remote areas
Then may want to hang onto your satcom device.
However, most everybody else will probably choose their phone. Doing this avoids carrying an extra unnecessary device, and saves you $$$ - the initial several hundred dollar cost of a satcom device, plus the monthly subscription fees (which can definitely add up). I think all data carriers and phone manufacturers will offer a similar service in the next few years, this is just the initial wave.
If I were the head of Garmin or Zoleo, I’d be a pretty nervous right now. Finding yourself suddenly competing with Apple and Elon is generally not a good thing.
