StarLink could bring free satellite SOS to everyone, everywhere

This would be a huge expansion for satellite SOS functionality if it actually happens.

StarLink could bring free satellite SOS to everyone, everywhere
starlink dish second angle
Credit: Andrew Grush / Android Authority
  • SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has claimed that the company will provide free access to emergency services via satellites.
  • The billionaire added that this offer would apply to smartphone users globally, subject to government approval.
  • This comes after both Apple and Google brought satellite-based emergency functionality to their phones.

Apple has offered satellite-based Emergency SOS tech via its iPhones for a few years now, and the Pixel 9 phones are the first Android phones outside China to offer this capability. Now, it sounds like SpaceX could step up in this regard.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claimed that the company’s StarLink satellites will provide free access to emergency services on smartphones. The billionaire also asserted that this will apply globally, albeit subject to approval by national governments.