Tech giant Apple reportedly turned down Elon Musk's proposed $5 billion deal for his Starlink satellite internet service.
Apple's ambitious plans to revolutionise internet connectivity took a turn in 2022, as reports emerged of a project known internally as Project Eagle. This initiative, a collaboration between Apple and Boeing, aimed to develop a satellite internet constellation.
According to The Information, the project was designed to beam internet directly to Apple devices, bypassing the need for traditional telecom carriers. However, concerns about competing with these carriers may have led CEO Tim Cook to pull back from the project.
In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, threatened to launch a similar feature independently if Apple didn't accept the deal within 72 hours. This threat came just two weeks before Apple unveiled the iPhone 14, but Apple declined SpaceX's proposed deal.
Despite the promising partnership between SpaceX and T-Mobile being revealed in August 2022, there is no evidence from open 2025 reports or news summaries that Apple has formed a partnership with SpaceX regarding satellite internet services.
Meanwhile, Apple's exploration of building its own satellite internet service dates back to 2015. Initial plans involved launching thousands of Boeing satellites into orbit to create the constellation. For home users, Apple considered window-mounted antennas to spread the signal indoors.
However, as of now, Project Eagle remains shelved, with no updates or confirmations indicating its revival. Instead, Apple only offers its satellite service as an emergency service.
In a separate development, SpaceX and T-Mobile announced a partnership to bring satellite-powered texting to smartphones just weeks after SpaceX's proposal to Apple. This partnership is set to expand globally, marking a significant step forward in satellite-based mobile connectivity.
As the landscape of internet connectivity continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if Apple revisits Project Eagle or explores new partnerships to stay at the forefront of this rapidly changing field.
- In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, it's possible that Apple, despite shelving Project Eagle, might reconsider its exploration of satellite internet services to maintain its position at the forefront of the industry.
- SpaceX, having launched its satellite-powered texting service in partnership with T-Mobile, seems to be leading the way in satellite-based mobile connectivity, a field where Apple's Project Eagle initially aimed to make a mark, but is currently on hold.
