LightShed Expects Growing Consumer Use of Satellite Messaging

Consumers may find they're using new satellite messaging on their iPhones more frequently than expected, LightShed’s Walter Piecyk told investors Tuesday, based on his experience. “We believe satellites will play a critical role in finally filling in the suburban coverage holes" that opponents of wireless deployments created, he said: “That will broaden the market opportunity beyond what has largely been perceived as limited to a distressed hiker lost in a national park. It’s possible that satellite connectivity will simply be used as a free service that device manufacturers and/or wireless operators use to differentiate their product and services.” Piecyk sees “a sizable revenue opportunity that could emerge globally.” LightShed estimates that about a quarter of Apple’s 1.5 billion active iPhone users have satellite-capable phones. Piecyk noted that an operating system update this fall will expand satellite connectivity to the iMessage app in the U.S.