Satellite Messaging

[ShaunOkeefe]

Hi Team,

Do you have plans to enable satellite messaging on the EE network?

I know emergency SOS is currently enabled, but more countries are now rolling out sending sms by satellite.

Of course I’m talking about iPhones here 🙂 after the iOS 18.5 rollout.

Just thought I’d ask, as I joined EE because you guys are normally first to have these new features.

Regards

Shaun

[bristolian]

EE is a mobile network and doesn't operate any satellites themselves.

As best I can tell, iOS satellite messaging is between the Apple ecoystem and a satellite operator with onward connectivity.

[ShaunOkeefe]

Yup for sure, but I was wondering when EE will switch this service on.

its already working for emergency SOS over satellite I think its just something each network needs to enable.

Come on EE be the UK’s first 🙂

[bristolian]

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@ShaunOkeefe wrote:

Yup for sure, but I was wondering when EE will switch this service on.🙂

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I'm not convinced it's a service provided by EE, and therefore one that they are able to, or capable of, switching on.

The firmware updates will be baked into the iOS ecosystem, but satellite-based messaging and/or calling, are not provided by EE - it's not their network. The whole premise is that calling is available when mobile coverage &/or WiFi-calling - in other words EE service - is unavailable.

Happy to be corrected by anyone familiar with the technical architecture.

[MrDenis]

EE don’t offer this - at present only T-Mobile in USA have a deal with Starlink to provide this.

Not sure if EE will partner with Starlink or one of the other LEO providers in the future but I imagine it’s a low priority in the UK market right now.

Video over satellite from an iPhone has also been proven but is probably much further away.

[bristolian]

Thanks to the previous poster - thus Starlink and others are the satellite operators and this service is achieved by means of a roaming agreement.

Logical, but as suggested - dependent on commercial priorities.

[EssexBoyEE]

Going to put my neck on the block here and say, it's extremely unlikely that any UK Mobile Network will get involved with Starlink for Text or SMS Messaging service(s).

Of course what Apple gets up with Starlink is anyone's guess but it's unlikely to be of Global benifit or outside of the US Mobile Network Providers.