Starting today, Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite is now available for customers in Australia and New Zealand on all iPhone 14 models. This feature enables users to message emergency services outside of cellular and WiFi coverage.
Launching in Australia, New Zealand
Apple announced today that the satellite connectivity features of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are now available in Australia and New Zealand. According to the company's announcement on its newsroom, every iPhone 14 model can connect directly to satellite through a combination of custom-designed hardware components and integrated software.
Minister of Communications Hon Michelle Rowland MP stated that the Albanese government welcomes the launch of the innovative safety capability, which gives Australians and Kiwis the ability to contact Triple Zero with Emergency SOS via satellite when there is no mobile coverage to keep them connected when in an emergency.
"This will go a long way in helping emergency services respond to, protect, and ultimately, keep individuals safe from harm. Australians are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this feature and whether their device supports it," Rowland added, especially that citizens know full well the significance of remaining connected in regional, rural, and remote areas when needed.
Availability
The feature has been launched in other parts of the world in the past few months. Aside from the two mentioned countries, 9To5Mac reported that the features are now available in 12 more countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
As of the moment, apple is offering satellite connectivity features for free for two years that start at the time of activation of the device when the service was made available in a particular region. But the company has not released any information regarding the plans to charge the feature after the free two-year period.
Read also: Apple iPhone 14: Satellite Connectivity Tests Now Done, Speculations on New Tech Still Unsure
How Will It Work?
Satellite connectivity features automatically connect when an iPhone 14 device is disconnected from cellular and WiFi connections, attempting to place an emergency call that will present an option to make the phone via satellite instead in case of these conditions. iOS will guide the user to point their phone in a specific direction towards a satellite overhead.
Gizmodo Australia reported that users will be needed to update their emergency contacts when the device is activated as it uses their contacts when an emergency occurred. For instance, paramedics will reach straight from their emergency contacts as a response. Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My via satellite will require devices iOS 16.4 or later updates.
