Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Inc’s efforts to build out its capacity in satellite-based phone connectivity has drawn ire from Elon Musk, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, given that the company could become a direct competitor for his Starlink service.
The companies are competing for spectrum rights- a limited amount of airwaves that carry phone signals- with Musk having pushed federal regulators to stall Apple’s plans to expand its satellite fleet, the WSJ report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
The conflict came to head after SpaceX and partner T-Mobile negotiated with Apple to allow Starlink on iPhones, the WSJ report said. The companies have reached an agreement which will allow SpaceX and T-Mobile satellite-based cellphone service to appear seamlessly on newer iPhones, which is set to launch in summer.
Globalstar- Apple’s partner in offering satellite services- has hired SpaceX to launch the satellites that provide some off-the-grid coverage for Apple devices. The WSJ report said industry leaders believe that Globestar alone will not be able to further Apple’s satellite goals.
But SpaceX, through Starlink, has a far larger fleet of satellites, offering greater coverage.
