Apple is reported to improve upon its satellite connectivity on the iPhone 18 series launching later this year, with its C2 5G modem being set up as the backbone of the configuration. The company’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature, which arrived with the iPhone 14 family, was a literal lifesaver, but it wasn’t without its shortcomings. These limitations are expected to be addressed later this year with a new connectivity protocol that will enable 5G satellite connectivity for the company’s upcoming flagships, allowing both handsets to treat each low-orbit satellite as if it were just another cell tower.
The C2 modem will support New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks (NR-NTN), allowing satellite connectivity without the previous drawbacks
Going by the machine translation of Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras, we learn that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launching later this year will be equipped with Apple’s second-generation C2 5G modem. The baseband chip was said to be in development last year, shortly after the iPhone 16e’s launch, with one of the biggest differences being that it will support mmWave and sub-6GHz networks. Another advantage is that the C2 will support NR-NTN, which is a standard that allows iPhones to connect to satellites directly for internet access.
This isn’t the first time that we’ve reported on this feature, as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have been reported to be the first models to support this form of satellite connectivity. In short, the combination of Apple’s C2 and NR-NTN should be considered as a significant overhaul for 5G satellite connectivity. A huge obstacle that will be removed for iPhone owners is that they won’t be required to point at the open sky to begin communication. This level of connectivity will be enabled while the device is indoors or stored away.
However, it should be noted that even if the C2 5G model is capable of supporting the aforementioned features, they won’t work unless Globalstar, Apple’s official partner for satellite connectivity, upgrades its infrastructure. Knowing the Cupertino firm, any entity associated with it will have to continuously provide the very best in technical improvements, or else the company will set up shop with another partner. As for 5G satellite connectivity, it is likely that the U.S. and Canada will be the first regions to support it, with other countries to follow.
News Source: Fixed-focus digital cameras
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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