Apple has announced that it will be extending the free access period for its emergency SOS via satellite service for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users. The feature allows users to send text messages to emergency services for help when they don’t have cell service, potentially saving lives in critical situations.

The initial free access period for the service was set at two years upon activating an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15. Apple has not disclosed how much it will charge for the feature once the free access period ends, but users can now enjoy an extra year of free access. Existing iPhone 14 users who activated their phones before a certain date will also receive this additional year of free access.

Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing, Kaiann Drance, highlighted the life-saving impact of the emergency SOS via satellite service. There have been numerous cases where users were able to connect with emergency responders in situations where they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. Apple is pleased to offer this service to iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users for two more years at no cost.

This extension of the free access period comes at a time when Qualcomm’s attempt to offer a similar feature on Android devices has encountered obstacles. Iridium, Qualcomm’s partner on the Snapdragon Satellite project, revealed that smartphone makers have chosen not to include the technology in their devices. Qualcomm acknowledged that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are seeking “standards-based solutions” and the costs associated with the initiative may have deterred them.

In conclusion, Apple is extending the free access period for its emergency SOS via satellite service, allowing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users to continue using this groundbreaking feature at no additional cost for two more years.