Apple has locked horns with SpaceX over the issue of spectrum access for their satellites to function, a Wall Street Journal report said on Monday. The two companies are battling to better their mobile connectivity using satellites in places where phone networks don’t usually work.
While Apple has done a lot of investment in satellite communication via their company Globalstar, SpaceX too has launched varied number of satellites via Starlink.
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Now according to the WSJ report, SpaceX has urged US regulators in the past to delay expansion plans of Apple’s Globalstar. Initially, SpaceX and its partner T-Mobile wanted to bring Starlink connectivity to iPhones which is why they wanted support from Apple. The report suggests that Apple had agreed after tense negotiations but it still has control over who controls satellite features on iPhones.
Apple has invested $1 billion in Globalstar, which also helps iPhones in sending emergency messages in places without cell service. However, SpaceX has criticised Apple’s plans in the past, claiming that the radio frequencies Apple is using aren’t being fully used.
In addition to satellite issues, Musk and Apple have had past disagreements, such as competing to hire engineers for self-driving cars and tensions related to X (formerly Twitter). Musk has even suggested creating his own smartphone to compete with Apple’s control over app distribution.
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While SpaceX has more satellites in space, Apple is negotiating with other satellite providers to enhance its capabilities. Although they may continue to have conflicts, both companies depend on each other to better their satellite communications.
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