MEF Mobile News Weekly Wrap

EU’s Digital Markets Act Pressures Apple to Share iPhone Features with Rivals

The European Commission has urged Apple to make its iPhone operating system more compatible with rival devices and provide third-party developers with better access to iPhone features.

Apple opposed this, citing privacy concerns, particularly with Meta's requests for access to sensitive technologies.

Meta, which develops devices like the Quest VR headset, seeks better integration with Apple’s features under the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Apple argues that these changes could compromise user privacy and security.

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Foldable Future: Apple Plans Foldable iPhone and Laptop-Style Device by 2026

Apple plans to launch a thinner iPhone and two foldable devices to revive slowing sales, the Wall Street Journal reportED citing people familiar with the company’s plan.

The thinner model, set for 2025, will focus on design simplicity, while the foldables include a larger 19-inch laptop-style device and a foldable iPhone expected by 2026.

These innovations aim to outperform rivals like Samsung and re-energize the smartphone market as Apple faces stagnant growth.

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Europe Launches €10.6bn Iris2 Satellite Network to Challenge Starlink

Europe has launched the €10.6bn Iris2 satellite network to rival Elon Musk's Starlink, aiming to provide secure, high-speed connectivity and support Europe’s mobile and telecom in general ecosystems.

Scheduled to deploy 290 satellites by 2030, Iris2 will enhance broadband access for businesses and households while securing government communications.

The project is critical for Europe's mobile ecosystem, addressing competition from Starlink and supporting telecom operators by integrating next-gen satellite technology.

It also aims to revive Europe's struggling space industry, fostering innovation and competitiveness in low Earth orbit infrastructure—key to future mobile and satellite communications.

Starlink Direct-to-Device Service Launches Beta Test with T-Mobile in 2025

T-Mobile will beta test SpaceX's Starlink direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service in early 2025, starting with texting and expanding to voice and data.

Approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November, the service aims to eliminate dead zones across 500,000 square miles in the U.S.

It will be free for T-Mobile postpaid customers with compatible devices, prioritizing first responders.

Initial speeds are 10 megabits per second (Mb/s), with improvements expected as more satellites launch.

The service works on standard Samsung, Apple, and Google phones using T-Mobile’s Personal Communications Service (PCS) spectrum.

GSMA Report: Dormant Phones Highlight Global Sustainability Crisis

A GSMA survey of 10,000 consumers across 26 countries reveals that while over 40% of phones are repurposed through trade-ins or hand-me-downs, 75% of consumers still store at least one unused device, posing sustainability challenges.

The UK leads in refurbished phone adoption, with 10% of buyers opting for second-hand devices compared to a global average of 4%.

The used smartphone market grew by 6% in 2023, contrasting with a 4% decline in new device sales, and is projected to outpace new sales in the future.

Despite this shift, an estimated 5-10 billion unused phones remain dormant globally due to concerns about data loss and limited awareness of disposal options.

Recycling half of these devices could recover $8 billion in critical materials.

Younger buyers prioritize sustainability, but cash trade-ins and secure data deletion are the strongest motivators for recycling phones.