Apple’s Starlink-Like Satellite Internet Service: Why It Never Launched
Are you curious about Apple’s plan to offer a Starlink-like home internet service and why it never reached users? Apple once aimed to revolutionize satellite internet by launching thousands of satellites to beam high-speed wireless internet directly to homes and iPhones, similar to SpaceX’s Starlink. This ambitious project, known internally as “Project Eagle,” promised seamless connectivity without relying heavily on traditional mobile carriers. However, despite the potential to disrupt the telecom industry, Apple ultimately shelved the plan due to high costs, business risks, and concerns about damaging relationships with telecom providers.
Inside Apple’s Ambitious Satellite Internet Vision
Starting in 2015, Apple partnered with Boeing to develop “Project Eagle,” which envisioned a satellite internet network capable of delivering fast, reliable internet to remote homes and mobile devices. The plan involved selling specialized antennas that users could mount on windows to distribute satellite internet throughout their homes—offering a potential alternative to expensive or unreliable broadband options. Apple invested $36 million testing the technology in California, aiming to reduce dependency on mobile carriers, which they saw as “necessary but inconvenient partners.” This move mirrored Apple’s strategy of in-house innovation, much like its transition to Apple silicon.
Why Apple Canceled Project Eagle
Despite the excitement, Apple scrapped the project in 2016, delaying the launch that was originally slated for 2019. CEO Tim Cook worried about the potential fallout with telecom companies, the enormous costs involved, and the unclear profitability of such a venture. The project’s cancellation led to the departure of several senior staff members involved in the initiative. Afterward, Apple explored satellite partnerships with companies like OneWeb but faced similar roadblocks: exorbitant costs—estimated at $30 to $40 billion—and an uncertain business model.
Focus Shift: From Home Internet to Emergency SOS
By 2018, Apple shifted its satellite ambitions toward providing limited satellite communication features for iPhones, specifically targeting emergency connectivity in remote areas without cellular coverage. This pivot resulted in the 2022 launch of Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, allowing users to send messages when no mobile network is available. While not a full satellite internet service, it significantly enhances iPhone safety features in rural or isolated locations.
Why Apple Still Hesitates to Fully Launch Satellite Internet
In 2023, Apple considered expanding satellite services to deliver full internet connectivity to remote iPhones using a next-generation satellite network. However, the required infrastructure—hundreds of satellites compared to Globalstar’s existing few—would have cost significantly more, raising familiar concerns. Additionally, Apple feared antagonizing mobile carriers, which could jeopardize critical partnerships.
Internal debates continue as some executives question the long-term viability of Apple’s satellite features. The current Globalstar-based network is slow and outdated compared to competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink, limiting its appeal and functionality. Moreover, Apple has not started charging customers for satellite services, extending free access through at least September 2025. This hesitancy partly stems from regulatory worries—charging fees might classify Apple as a telecom carrier, potentially forcing the company to add government surveillance backdoors to encrypted communications like iMessage.
What This Means for Apple and Satellite Internet in 2025
Apple’s satellite internet journey highlights the challenges of entering the telecom space dominated by established carriers and high infrastructure costs. While Apple’s innovative satellite features improve safety and connectivity in remote areas, full-scale satellite internet services remain elusive. As 2025 unfolds, Apple continues to balance cutting-edge technology with strategic partnerships and regulatory concerns. For users, Apple’s current satellite services offer valuable emergency connectivity, but a full Starlink-style home internet solution from Apple is still a vision for the future.
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