Untangling the iPhone 13 rumors around Globalstar’s LEO satellites

A new report indicates Apple’s next iPhone could connect directly to satellites, allowing users to make calls and send texts when they’re outside of cellular coverage areas.

At least, that’s what some headlines indicate. The truth may be a little more nuanced.

According to MacRumors, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a note to investors speculating on Apple’s next phone, the iPhone 13. According to Kuo, the gadget will feature a “customized” X60 chip from Qualcomm that can connect to Globalstar’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

“Kuo explained that the ‘simplest scenario’ for providing LEO connectivity to users is if individual network operators work with Globalstar,” according to MacRumors. “This means that customers of a partner network operator could use Globalstar’s satellite communication service on the ‌iPhone 13‌ directly through their network operator with no additional contracts or payments required.”

The report helped shock Globalstar’s stock from around $1.40 per share last week to as high as $2.30 per share Monday afternoon.

“The prospect of Globalstar’s [LEO] constellation potentially being available to billions of smartphone owners is tantalizing,” wrote the financial analysts at B. Riley Securities in a note to investors Monday.

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