As the title suggests, Emergency SOS via Satellite let the iPhone to connect to the satellite network in an emergency when cellular service is unavailable. The service will be offered in the United States and Canada since November 2022.
There is no information regarding when Emergency SOS via iPhone 14 will be available in Europe and other countries
When the service becomes ready all iPhone 14 models will come with two years of SOS connection. Apple does not yet announce how much the service will cost after that point.
Satellite communication connects with SOS services through text messaging, even those that only allow voice calls, due to Apple's "relay centers" that send text message along. Apple also supports non-emergency activities, such as informing friends and family that you're safe when out of phone range.
How to use Emergency SOS via satellite
Globalstar Inc, which currently manages a network of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), such as SpaceX's Starlink internet service, has been chosen by Apple as its partner for the emergency SOS capability. Globalstar says it has a 24 ground stations that cover more than 120 nations and more than 80% of the Earth's surface. Globalstar will receive $450 million from Apple for network improvements. Globalstar is dedicating the majority of its network to iPhone communications only. In exchange for the investments, Globestar would "allocate 85% of its present and future network capacity" to Apple, according to a recent Form 8-K filing with the SEC.
