Apple has deployed in several European countries, including France, its functionality of emergency messages by satellite on its iPhone 14.
Already available in North America, now this very useful functionality has made its arrival today in France on the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. It is now possible to contact the emergency services if needed, even from an area without any connectivity or network.
A free feature for two years
During their design, Apple has implemented in its iPhone 14 a miniature antenna allowing satellite communications. A great feat, this technology usually requiring much more space. After announced it last September then deployed in North America, the apple brand has just activated its system in several new countries and in particular in France (including Corsica, Saint-Barthélémy, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin and Saint-Pierre- and Miquelon). It is specified that the service will be free for two years, but the brand has not yet said anything regarding the economic model that it can then adopt.
French emergency centers are not equipped to receive SMS, here is how it happens when the satellite emergency contact functionality is activated.
After dialing 112 (the other French emergency numbers should arrive in the 16.2 update of iOS), the smartphone will first see if it can access an operator’s network. If he can’t, he will offer to send an SMS via satellite. In this case, you will have to follow the instructions on the screen and direct your laptop to the right satellite of the Globalstar network to have the best connection.
Promote the speed of communications
When the satellite connection has been made, the user is connected to an employee of an Apple relay center. Then you have to answer a few questions. The information, the position and the medical form (which must be completed in advance on your smartphone as we explained in this article) of the person in need are sent to the emergency services which then take over.
To speed up the process and help in emergency situations, Apple has made sure that message weight is reduced by 300%. Thus, according to the information shared on the service, it only takes 15 seconds to send and receive a message in the best conditions.
It is important to underline that it is, for the moment in any case, only a service dedicated to emergency situations. It is to be used if a person has been injured or lost in an area without any network. The feature does not allow you to make calls, access the internet or chat with friends via message. However, it is possible to share your position with your emergency contacts. Apple has made available an option to test the service without disturbing the emergency services. Just go to settings and then Emergency calls and choose the test.
