iPhone 14 Pro satellite connectivity
Apple hasn't yet provided any information regarding the satellite communication feature that will be available on the iPhone 14 Pro. However, if Apple includes satellite connectivity in the forthcoming iPhone, the corporation may run into some difficulties while attempting to market the product in India. This is due to the fact that using satellite phones in India without express authorization and permission is "unauthorised/illegal". The use of Thuraya/Iridium satellite phones is prohibited in India under Section 6 of the Indian Wireless Act and Section 20 of the Indian Telegraph Act.
It's not as if satellite phones can't be imported into India or utilised for personal usage. They might be. However, the users must request government authorisation for it. What the Department of Telecom website states about satellite phones in India is as follows:
"Satellite phones are permitted:
(i) With specific permission/ NOC from the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India; or
(ii) As provisioned by M/s BSNL in accordance with the license granted to M/s BSNL for provision and operation of satellite-based service using Gateway installed in India."
The regulations governing direct satellite connectivity in India are another reason why Elon Musk's SpaceX ran into difficulties while attempting to introduce its Starlink satellite broadband services there. In fact, because Starlink Internet Services does not yet have a licence in India, the Indian government has urged Indians against purchasing them. Pre-orders have presently been suspended as Starlink plans how to introduce its satellite broadband services in India.
So, what does it mean for the iPhone 14 Pro in India, that is if the phone indeed has satellite connectivity? Three scenarios:
1- Apple launches the iPhone 14 Pro in India after getting the required permissions from the government. Though, it is not clear if the government will carve out an exception for iPhone without modifying the existing rules around satellite communication in the country.
2- Apple launches the iPhone 14 Pro by disabling the satellite calling and messaging feature.
3- Apple doesn't launch the iPhone 14 Pro in India.
If the iPhone 14 Pro does, in fact, have satellite connectivity, Apple will probably choose the second course of action. Similar work has been done by Apple with the Apple Watch's ECG capability. Recall that the business initially didn't sell Apple Watches with the ECG capability in India. It is now accessible.
In any case, it wouldn't be the first time a phone had problems in India with regulations if the debut of the iPhone 14 Pro did encounter them. Recall that the Google Pixel 4 series, which was never sold in India, experienced a very similar situation. And the company claims that the Soli radar chip inside the phone is what prevented Google from releasing the Pixel 4 series in India. The chip was not legal for commercial usage in India since it utilised a 60 GHz spectrum for communication.