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Apple and Musk Clash Over Satellite Expansion Plans (www.wsj.com)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Archive: https://archive.is/2025.03.31-011236/https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-elon-musk-satellite-cell-phone-services-ed2d2730

Apple AAPL -2.66%decrease; red down pointing triangle is clashing with Elon Musk in its push to eliminate cellphone dead spots with satellite technology.

The iPhone maker is investing heavily in satellite-based communications that keep users connected in places where traditional wireless signals aren’t available. Musk’s SpaceX, meanwhile, has launched more than 550 satellites that provide cellphone connectivity via its Starlink service.

To build capacity, the companies are competing for valuable spectrum rights—airwaves to carry their signals—which are in limited supply. Apple’s outer-space investments have drawn Musk’s ire, people familiar with the matter said. SpaceX has pushed federal regulators to stall an Apple-funded satellite expansion effort.

The conflict intensified in recent months after SpaceX and its partner, T-Mobile, sought Apple’s cooperation to offer Starlink on iPhones, some of the people said. The companies engaged in tense discussions and eventually reached an agreement that allows the SpaceX and T-Mobile satellite cellphone service, which will debut this summer, to appear seamlessly on newer iPhones. Apple retains tight control over the iPhone’s largely closed software ecosystem.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As much as I hate the thought of Apple being even bigger and more pervasive than they are, if satellite cellular is inevitable and unavoidable I’d vastly prefer an Apple service to MuskNet.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago

I don't want Apple to win, but I DO want Musk to lose.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

The thought of mega corps polluting the night sky with satellites makes me so bummed.