Apple has announced the availability of its emergency satellite communication features for users in Australia and New Zealand. Starting Monday, users with the iPhone 14 in the region will be able to contact emergency services and share their location with friends and family in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.
The emergency satellite communication feature was introduced by Apple during the launch of the iPhone 14 in September last year. It was initially rolled out in the United States and Canada in November. Since then, the service has expanded to 12 countries, with Australia and New Zealand being the latest additions.
To activate the emergency communication through satellite features, users can rapidly tap the power button five times, hold the power button and a volume button, or dial 000. If there is no connectivity, the system will guide users to utilize satellite communications by answering a short questionnaire about the emergency. The collected information, along with the location, will be sent to dispatchers, notifying them about the situation.
Apple’s system also provides guidance on pointing the iPhone in the direction of the satellite to send a message. Due to the low bandwidth of satellite communications, Apple compresses the messages by 3x to enable quick transmission.
Moreover, even when users are not connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network, they can share their location with family members through the Find My app during off-the-grid hikes. This can be done by opening the “Me” tab and selecting “Send My Location” under the “My Location via Satellite” section.
The launch of this feature in Australia and New Zealand has been welcomed by the government. Australia’s Minister of Communications, Michelle Rowland, emphasized the importance of remaining connected in remote areas, particularly during emergencies. Rowland stated that the ability to contact emergency services through satellite communication when there is no mobile coverage is a valuable backup for ensuring the safety of Australians.
While Apple has expanded its satellite communication feature to 14 countries, other smartphone manufacturers like Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi are also expected to introduce similar capabilities in their devices in the near future.
