Apple looks into beaming data to iPhones from satellites, report claims

Within five years, Apple might have satellites in the sky, beaming data down to users’ iPhones. 

This is according to a new report by Bloomberg, which cites people familiar with Apple’s plans. 

About a dozen engineers are working on the project, which might include communications satellites as well as next-generation wireless tech. These engineers include Michael Trela and John Fenwick, who worked on Google’s satellite operations before coming to work at Apple in 2017. 

The details are murky — Apple itself isn’t sure how it wants to use the satellites, and the project might be abandoned completely, Bloomberg says. But Tim Cook is reportedly interested, which makes it slightly more likely that it won’t be discontinued. 

It’s also unclear whether Apple plans to deploy its own satellites or use someone else’s infrastructure. 

Possible uses for the tech include internet connectivity, location tracking, or linking devices together without the need for a traditional network. 

If the report is accurate, Apple may be following in the footsteps of companies like SpaceX and Amazon, both of which are working on a satellite network with the goal of bringing broadband connectivity from above. In May, SpaceX deployed 60 satellites, a first step for its Starlink project which should eventually have around 12,000 satellites in low orbit. 

It’s worth noting that building a satellite-based, broadband internet service business is tough, as seen from the examples of companies like Teledesic, Iridium, and Globalstar, all of which went bankrupt.