Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX, has become an obstacle to Apple’s ambitions. His company has already launched more than 550 satellites for its Starlink network through T-Mobile.
Now, both companies are fighting over the right to use a limited radio frequency spectrum—a crucial resource for transmitting satellite data. According to WSJ, SpaceX is pressuring U.S. regulators to freeze the expansion of the Globalstar satellite network, which is funded by Apple.
In response, Apple entered negotiations to integrate Starlink support into iPhone, with the service expected to debut this summer. However, Tim Cook’s company still maintains strict control over its ecosystem, preventing third-party services from integrating without its direct involvement.
Musk sought a broader partnership with Apple, but a full agreement to integrate Starlink into iOS never materialized. The conflict escalated after Apple invested more than $1 billion last year in developing Globalstar satellites.
In response, SpaceX filed a request with the FCC, arguing that the radio frequencies used by Apple are “underutilized.”
