For years, Apple had an ambitious goal: to build its own satellite internet service for iPhones and households – similar to SpaceX's Starlink. It was a project that would fundamentally change internet provision. But it was never implemented. A look at the so-called Project Eagle reveals why the plan failed, what steps Apple took, and what remains of it today.
Apple is known for challenging existing structures and breaking new ground. With the iPhone, the switch to its own chips, and its entry into the streaming market, the company has demonstrated its commitment to control and independence. Apple also had an idea for the internet: independence from mobile phone providers through its own satellites. Internally, mobile phone providers were viewed as necessary but inconvenient partners. The goal was a seamless experience for users, without network problems and without external dependencies. The path to achieving this was technically challenging, expensive, and politically sensitive – and was ultimately halted.
Project Eagle: Apple's Internet from space
In 2015, Apple began talks with Boeing (via The Information ). The project was codenamed Project Eagle. The plan was to send thousands of satellites into orbit to provide wireless internet around the world. The service was intended for both iPhones and households. Apple wanted to sell special antennas that users could attach to windows to receive the connection. Apple invested around $36 million in a test facility in El Segundo, California. The market launch was originally planned for 2019. This would have created a completely separate communication channel for Apple's devices - independent of traditional network providers.
Strategic considerations and internal doubts
Project Eagle was viewed internally as a strategic counterpart to Apple's move to its own chips. Here, too, the goal was to be less dependent on partners while gaining more control over the user experience. However, CEO Tim Cook expressed concerns early on. On the one hand, there was a fear of jeopardizing relationships with mobile providers. On the other, there were doubts about the short-term business model. The technical hurdles and expected costs made the project difficult to predict. Project Eagle was officially discontinued in 2016. Several senior employees subsequently left the company.
Search for alternatives: Talks with OneWeb
Following the end of Project Eagle, a new group was formed within Apple to focus on wireless technologies. It was led by then-head of hardware, Dan Riccio. In 2018, the group held discussions with satellite providers such as OneWeb. Here, too, the idea of providing a home internet service via satellite was discussed. OneWeb estimated the cost at $30 to $40 billion. The project was not pursued further in this form. The known problems—high investment, uncertain business model, potential impact on existing partnerships—led to the rejection again.
Change of focus: Satellite communication for emergencies
After several failed attempts, Apple turned its attention to another area: emergency communications. The goal was to provide a satellite connection for iPhones in areas without cellular service. The result was the launch of the "Emergency SOS via Satellite" feature in 2022. In 2023, Apple's satellite team proposed using a new generation of satellites to provide unlimited internet access to iPhones in remote areas. This would have required significantly higher investment than Globalstar's existing service. The cost, the need for a larger satellite fleet, and, again, concerns about conflicts with wireless carriers led Apple to reject this proposal as well.
Criticism of the current situation
Some employees and former project managers are now expressing doubts about the long-term viability of the existing Globalstar solution. The network is already outdated, slow, and limited compared to SpaceX, they say, and will not be competitive in the coming years. Despite high running costs—in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually—Apple has not yet charged any fees for the service. Free access has been extended until at least September 2025. The company is said to be concerned that monetization could lead to Apple being regulated by the US government as a telecommunications provider. This could include legal requirements such as surveillance interfaces in iMessage. Internal discussions are ongoing about the future of the service. Executives such as Craig Federighi (Software) and Adrian Perica (Corporate Development) are said to have advocated for eliminating the satellite function altogether. They argue that users would prefer to book such services directly through their mobile providers.
Between vision and reality: Apple's retreat
Apple had an ambitious plan with Project Eagle: its own satellite internet for iPhones and households, independent of traditional network operators. Despite multimillion-dollar investments, technical tests, and several alternative scenarios, it never came to fruition. Today, only a reduced emergency service remains – expensive to operate and internally controversial. Whether Apple will attempt the project again remains to be seen. The reasons for the repeated failure lie not in the technology, but in strategic considerations and concerns about political and economic consequences. (Image: Shutterstock / sobinsergey84)
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