Musk’s SpaceX, Apple at loggerheads over satellite internet

Seeking Alpha News (Mon, 31-Mar 3:29 AM)

Elon Musk’s SpaceX (SPACE) is reportedly clashing with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) as the latter looks to expand its presence into satellite-based phone and internet connectivity.

SpaceX, which runs Starlink satellite internet communications, has pushed for federal regulators to stall Apple’s plans to expand its own satellite fleet, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday citing unnamed sources.

The company has also been lobbying the Federal Communications Commission to block Apple’s partner Globalstar from launching 48 low-Earth satellites, claiming that its C3 constellation would use the disputed 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz spectrum.

Globalstar’s C3 constellation is partly funded by $1B from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL).

SpaceX and T-Mobile (TMUS) already have a deal with Apple (AAPL) to allow Starlink on new iPhones, with services set to start this summer.