SpaceX may put satellite communications on the iPhone. Is this the end of Musk's feud with Apple?

Elon Musk's SpaceX may start providing satellite communications services for iPhones, The Information speculated Thursday. According to its data, it has already implemented in the new Starlink satellites support for the radio frequency spectrum that Apple uses. The publication's sources did not report any talks between the two companies, but a number of developments point to possible cooperation.

SpaceX, which has deployed a global satellite communications system Starlink, has implemented in the design of the new orbital constellation support for the radio frequency spectrum used to connect the iPhone, according to an article by The Information. The company expects to put this group of satellites into service in the coming years, the publication writes. It suggests that SpaceX is hoping for a possible future collaboration with Apple.

Now the iPhone manufacturer uses such a spectrum of frequencies for their connection to Globalstar satellites. This network provides the operation of the "SOS call" service, which allows gadget owners to contact emergency services while out of range of cellular and Wi-Fi. Apple has invested about $2 billion in Globalstar over the past few years. However, according to The Information's sources, Globalstar Chairman James Monroe recently discussed the possibility of selling the company for more than $10 billion. Globalstar shares rose 8% after this publication, but by the close of trading on October 23, half of the growth had been lost.

According to The Information, Globalstar's network is much slower and technologically inferior to Starlink. Apple has the right of first refusal to buy the telecom operator in the event of a possible sale, but will probably not buy it out, the publication suggests. Its sources believe that Apple does not want to become subject to regulation as a telecom provider.

While relations between Apple and Musk's companies have not always been smooth, there may now be incentives for rapprochement writes Seeking Alpha. According to analysts interviewed by The Information, it's becoming increasingly difficult for a company like Apple to ignore SpaceX, especially after Musk was able to use the frequency spectrum formerly owned by EchoStar. So far, only Starlink can provide the iPhone with Internet access without connecting to cell towers or Wi-Fi.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell recently said the company is working with chip manufacturers to integrate satellite communications directly into smartphones. It aims to make satellite communications more affordable for many manufacturers, Via Satellite wrote.

"If Apple does give up trying to find an alternative and switch to satellite communications from SpaceX, it would make Starlink a virtually unattainable competitor," Tim Farrar, head of consulting firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, told The Information "It would only reinforce its dominance in the market.

Musk back in 2022 tried to convince Apple to partner with SpaceX by offering Starlink as the exclusive provider of satellite communications for at least 18 months, recalls technology publication Wccftech. At the same time, he requested an upfront payment of $5 billion and an annual payment of $1 billion after the end of the exclusive period. Apple then rejected Musk's plans, the portal writes.

Apple's active investment in satellite communications Globalstar caused displeasure of the richest businessman, sources told The Wall Street Journal in March. SpaceX asked the U.S. regulator to reject Globalstar's application to use additional radio frequencies for a new network of satellites funded by Apple, the WSJ source claimed.

The conflict escalated in early 2025, with SpaceX and its partner T-Mobile trying to negotiate a deal with Apple to have the iPhone communicate directly with Starlink satellites, several sources told the WSJ. But Apple retains tight control over the iPhone's software ecosystem. The companies then came to an agreement that SpaceX and T-Mobile's satellite mobile communications would appear in the new smartphones, but through an interface that is completely controlled by Apple.

In addition, Musk himself has repeatedly criticized the iPhone manufacturer, for example, for his intentions to introduce ChatGPT into these gadgets. The billionaire claimed that the chatbot would steal users' personal data. And in late August, Musk's AI startup xAI sued Apple and OpenAI, accusing the companies of anti-competitive practices.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor