Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone

For those of us who venture into remote places for recreation, mobile communication is a hot and fast-moving topic. There are some who cherish being off-grid and eschew the various means by which contact can be maintained without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Others say that, given advancements in satellite technology, this is now an irresponsible position.

The debate is a shifting one as technology continues to improve. Satellite phones are smaller and lighter than they used to be and the costs of using them have come down. There are also various devices that can be used in conjunction with your mobile phone to allow communication via satellites.

This week saw a further significant development with Apple launching in Australia and New Zealand a new feature on its iPhone 14 (and later models) called Emergency SOS via Satellite. This feature enables these later model iPhones to connect to a satellite and text emergency services or roadside assistance. It can also be used to share your location with friends and family.

The feature is available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Generally, the feature is available in these countries no matter where you bought your iPhone.

It’s important to note that the feature is not a substitute for a satellite phone. It only permits text communication with applicable local emergency authorities. However, the text messages exchanged with emergency authorities can be shared with emergency contacts.

Clearly this is a significant development for those of us undertaking adventures in remote locations. Hopefully, other smartphone manufacturers will catch up soon.