Apple To Spend $450 Million , To Enable Emergency Satellite Texting.<br />CNBC reports that Apple made the announcement on Nov. 10.<br />The majority of the $450 million will go to Globalstar, a Louisiana-based satellite communications company.<br />Globalstar's satellite operations will make it possible for Apple to offer the new emergency texting feature.<br />An iPhone software update will soon allow users who aren't able to connect to a cell tower to send a text message by connecting to a Globalstar satellite in low Earth orbit.<br />CNBC reports that the feature will be free for two years, but Apple may charge for the service later on.<br />This is because the service isn't fully automated and requires call center staff.<br />Apple reports that more than 300 Globalstar employees will be dedicated to the service.<br />The tech company's payment to Globalstar <br />will be pulled from Apple's Advanced <br />Manufacturing Fund.<br />The fund is used to support <br />suppliers based in America
