In November 2022, we learned that Apple had made a $450 million investment for the critical infrastructure that supported the launch of their Emergency SOS service starting with the iPhone 14 for customers in the U.S. and Canada.

In 2025, at least 17 new satellites will launch into to low Earth Orbit to replenish Globalstar’s existing constellation. Globalstar entered into a $327 million purchase agreement with MDA for those satellites in February last year, with Rocket Lab acting as subcontractor supplying the spacecraft chassis.

Apple is reimbursing Globalstar for 95% of the capital expenditures related to the satellites, including the launch costs. The consumer hardware giant also agreed to provide $252 million in funding for the upfront costs associated with replenishing the satellite constellation, as well as money to improve the satellite operator’s ground station network.

In return, Apple said it would use 85% of Globalstar’s network capacity to provide emergency satellite connectivity for iPhones outside of cellular networks.

The new contract reflects the near-monopoly SpaceX currently holds on orbital launches. For more, read the full report by TechCrunch.