Emergency SOS is now available in Japan, what’s next?

Apple continues to launch Emergency SOS in new nations, possibly almost as fast as satellite partner, Globalstar, puts new birds in the sky.

The lates iOS 17.6 update introduces the service to Japan, meaning customers using an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 can now use the service to contact emergency services. Emergency SOS is free for two years and the ongoing cost of the service (if any) hasn’t yet been announced.

Now available in Japan, says Apple

“Starting today, Apple’s groundbreaking safety service, Emergency SOS via satellite, will be provided to Japanese customers. This innovative technology, which is available on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, allows users to share information with emergency call services even outside cell phone communication and Wi-Fi range,” says the company.

Apple is quite evidently not stopping with emergency services requests.

Coming soon in iOS 18 is Messages via Satellite, which allows users to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tap backs over iMessage and SMS when a cellular or Wi-Fi connection is available.

What could come next?

“Messages via satellite automatically prompts users to connect to their nearest satellite right from the Messages app to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tap backs over iMessage and SMS,” Apple explained.

This extension of the core service suggests wider plans for satellite communications via iPhone, potentially leading toward satellite based voice and data connections, albeit limited by cost and bandwidth.

Emergency SOS via satellite is available in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, and the Netherlands.

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