Satellite goes mainstream: Apple and Motorola certify satellite phones
Satellite messaging is moving from one brand's feature to a standard phone radio. Apple and Motorola both certified satellite-capable phones with the FCC this fall, using two different approaches.
The quarter in numbers
The FCC issued 64 handset-class grants (classes PCE, PCF, PCT and TNE) between Aug 3 and Nov 1, 2026, to 43 grantees.
| Capability in certified bands | Grants | Share |
|---|---|---|
| n41 / B41, 2.5 GHz | 51 | 80% |
| B71 / n71, 600 MHz | 15 | 23% |
| CBRS / n48, 3.55–3.7 GHz | 13 | 20% |
| C-band n77, 3.7–3.98 GHz | 13 | 20% |
| B14 FirstNet, 700 MHz | 10 | 16% |
| Satellite uplink, 1610–1626.5 MHz | 9 | 14% |
Apple: 12 iPhone models, satellite on most
Apple's filings list 12 models under 12 FCC IDs in 3 series of 4, granted Sept 9, 2026 and tested by UL Verification Services in Fremont, CA.
| Series | Models | FCC IDs |
|---|---|---|
| A3472 | A3472, A3713, A3714, A3715 | BCG-E9186A, E9192A, E9193A, E9194A |
| A3473 | A3473, A3716, A3717, A3718 | BCG-E9187A, E9195A, E9196A, E9197A |
| A3447 | A3447, A3719, A3720, A3721 | BCG-E9188A, E9198A, E9203A, E9204A |
- Variants share the board, antennas and housing; they differ mainly in cellular bands. mmWave, some sub-6 GHz bands and the satellite transmitter are removed in software and by leaving parts off the board.
- Satellite test reports cover Part 25 MSS L-band (1610–1626.5 MHz) and Band 53 at 2.4 GHz. The L-band report's first version is dated June 18, 2026.
- A3715 (BCG-E9194A) lists no 1.6 GHz uplink, while its siblings do.
- Wi-Fi exhibits certify a 6 GHz dual client up to 7115 MHz; the antenna-gain exhibit names 802.15.4ab, the next-generation UWB standard.
Motorola XT2761: satellite through carrier spectrum
Motorola's IHDT56AX7 (XT2761-1, -2, -3 and XT2761V), granted Oct 21, 2026, includes a Part 25 report for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS). Instead of a dedicated satellite band, SCS reaches satellites on ordinary carrier bands: 600 MHz (n71), 700 MHz (B12/17, B13, B14), 800 MHz (B5/26) and PCS (B2/25).
The same filing lists Wi-Fi 7 on 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, UWB, NFC and wireless charging, names accessory suppliers (AOHAI, Chenyang, ATL, CABLETECH, SAIBAO, Xinxiu) and shows chargers for the US, EU, UK, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and India.
Sources
All facts come from public exhibits in the FCC Equipment Authorization System, viewed Nov 1, 2026: BCG-E9186A, BCG-E9194A, IHDT56AX7. Certline is not affiliated with the FCC.