Apple plans to invest $1.7 billion in Globalstar to build a new satellite constellation for improving space-based communications for iPhones. Globalstar’s current L-band satellites, used since 2022 for emergency iPhone services, will be replenished with 17 new satellites built by MDA, with SpaceX set to launch them starting next year. The upgraded constellation, called the “Extended MSS Network,” aims to enhance iPhone connectivity, though details on potential service upgrades are not disclosed. Globalstar will allocate 85% of its network capacity to Apple while maintaining services for its legacy customers. This investment comes as other companies like SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile develop their own LEO constellations for direct-to-device services. Globalstar’s stock surged over 30%, while Apple’s dipped slightly.
This new partnership and investment could bring a few different topics within cyber security to light. As data transmission increases through space-based systems, continues to prove why the robust encryption and secure authentication becomes vital to protect user privacy and prevent unauthorized access. As the iPhone is used by over 25% of the cell-phone market, the involvement of multiple vendors like MDA and SpaceX heightens the need for supply chain security to mitigate risks of cyber exploitation. The satellite network must continue to be resilient against cyber-attacks such as jamming, spoofing, and DDoS, which is necessary for advanced threat detection within a huge market like cell-phone usage. As this technology expands and space is utilized more and more by private companies, compliance with international cybersecurity regulations and data sovereignty laws is crucial, especially as the network supports critical infrastructure like emergency services.