When the storm hit, Jeff Twersky faced a frustrating situation: his phone was unresponsive. After Hurricane Helene knocked out power and cell service for several days, Twersky, a 69-year-old retired lawyer, was in Weaverville, North Carolina, with family and friends, celebrating a birthday and exploring the area’s natural beauty. They hadn’t anticipated the severe weather and its aftermath.
With roads blocked and water supplies dwindling, reaching anyone via mobile was nearly impossible. Like many in the Southeast, Twersky and his group felt cut off. On the night of September 28, desperate for a connection, he stepped outside to try his luck with his iPhone 16.
“To my surprise, my phone switched to satellite mode,” Twersky recalled. He hadn’t even known the feature existed but was able to successfully reach his daughter in San Francisco.
Understanding Satellite Mode
The “satellite SOS” feature, now available on many modern smartphones, allows users to send messages when traditional cellular or Wi-Fi connections are unavailable, especially in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
For Apple users, this feature is accessible on iPhone 14 models and newer with iOS 18. Similarly, Google offers a satellite SOS mode on its Pixel 9 devices for emergency communications. Major cellular providers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have collaborated with companies like SpaceX’s Starlink to enhance satellite support.
John Wojewoda, AT&T’s assistant vice president of Tower Strategy and Roaming, explained that this technology enables phones to switch to a satellite connection when cellular networks are down. However, it’s important to note that satellite connections are limited to text messaging and require specific conditions, such as a clear view of the sky and, in some cases, additional step to activate.
Technology exploration
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