SpaceX and Apple are locked in a big disagreement that could affect how well your iPhone and Starlink internet work. This “satellite spat,” as some are calling it, is all about who gets to use special radio frequencies in space.
These frequencies are like invisible roads that satellites use to send signals to Earth. With only so many roads available, SpaceX and Apple are fighting over them, which might cause everyone problems.
A report from The Wall Street Journal says SpaceX is asking the U.S. government, specifically the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to stop Apple’s partner, Globalstar, from using more of these frequencies.
Globalstar is a company Apple is funding with over $1 billion to improve satellite features on iPhones. If SpaceX wins this battle, it could mean slower or weaker satellite signals for your phone and Starlink’s internet service.
Satellites need radio frequencies to talk to devices on Earth, like your iPhone or a Starlink dish. Think of these frequencies as channels on a walkie-talkie—too many people on the same channel, and it gets messy.
Countries license these channels to companies so their signals don’t crash into each other. SpaceX wants more of these channels for Starlink, which brings internet to remote places, while Apple wants them for iPhone features like texting or calling for help when you’re out of cell range.
If one company grabs too many frequencies, others might not get enough, leaving some areas with bad service.
For example, Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite has already saved lives by letting people call for help in the wilderness. But if SpaceX limits Globalstar’s frequencies, that feature might not work as well in the future.
This fight isn’t new—SpaceX and Apple have been circling each other for a while. They even tried to team up once. Reports from MacRumors say the two companies had “tense” talks about adding Starlink’s texting feature to iPhones.
They couldn’t agree on a big deal, but they did settle on something smaller: SpaceX and T-Mobile will offer satellite texting on iPhones starting this summer. Still, Apple wants to grow its own satellite system with Globalstar, not rely on SpaceX.
SpaceX recently told the FCC that Globalstar’s plans to use the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands—key frequencies for satellite signals—are “premature.” They argue these bands should be shared with all companies, not just handed to Globalstar.
SpaceX says this would help competition and make services like Starlink better. But Globalstar warns that sharing could mess up its signals, which power iPhone features.
This spat could go two ways, and neither sounds great for students or anyone else. If SpaceX gets its way, Apple might struggle to expand its satellite features, leaving your iPhone with spotty service in remote areas.
Imagine being on a camping trip and unable to send an emergency text—that’s a real worry.
On the other hand, if Apple and Globalstar lock down too many frequencies, Starlink’s internet could suffer, making it harder to stream videos or do homework in places without Wi-Fi.
Plus, if one company controls too much, they could charge higher prices. TechRadar points out this could lead to “price gouging,” where you pay more for less. For students who rely on phones for schoolwork or staying connected, that’s bad news.
This isn’t just about SpaceX and Apple—it’s a sign of a bigger issue. Satellite frequencies are limited, and as more companies launch satellites, the fight for them will only grow. GSMArena reports that Apple has poured over $1.5 billion into Globalstar to build a new satellite network.
Meanwhile, SpaceX has launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites and wants even more. Both companies are racing to connect the world, but they’re tripping over each other to do it.
Interestingly, Globalstar still pays SpaceX to launch its satellites, showing how tangled this battle is. Apple’s also talking to other companies like Boeing, just in case, according to MacRumors. It’s a messy space race, and we’re all caught in the middle.
The FCC will decide who gets these frequencies, and it’s a tough call. SpaceX says sharing them would be fairer, while Apple and Globalstar want to keep what they’ve got.
TipRanks notes that better satellite coverage could boost iPhone sales or Starlink subscriptions—both companies have a lot to gain or lose.
For now, students should keep an eye on this. Whether you’re texting friends or using Starlink for online classes, this spat could change how you stay connected.
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