Satellite messaging technology could be a lifesaver in Idaho’s backcountry

BOISE, Idaho — With vast wilderness areas and remote terrain, Idaho typically sees dozens of backcountry search and rescue missions each year.

While cell service is often unreliable in remote areas, new satellite technology could help connect lost hikers, hunters, skiers and any other outdoor recreators with emergency responders – without the need for a traditional cell signal.

Recently developed Apple smartphones, such as iPhones running iOS 18 and newer, can send emergency SOS messages via satellite.

The feature allows users to contact emergency services by simply having a clear view of the sky.

Messages may take 30 seconds to a minute to send, but can provide rescuers with crucial location information.

“It’s going to help us find them, find where they’re at, but it’s going to help them because it can save their life,” Boise County Search and Rescue member Robert Showalter said.

For those without the iPhone 14 and newer, T-Mobile announced a similar service, T-Mobile Starlink, using Starlink satellites.

The feature is currently in beta testing and available for anyone to apply for, but likely will only accept a certain number of users.

T-Mobile Starlink is free for now until July when it will require a purchase after fully launching. However, unlike the iPhones, T-Mobile Starlink will be available to purchase by people with any cellphone provider. Some T-Mobile plans will already include T-Mobile Starlink in them.

Even without a satellite-enabled phone, search and rescue teams recommend always attempting to send a message despite having an older phone. Sometimes, even low levels of service can allow a text to go through.

“In the backcountry, there can be brief windows of cell service, so even though you may not have cell service and you’re in need, it doesn’t mean that you won’t ever have it,” Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit manager Rob Shelton said. “We recommend turning your phone to airplane mode and setting like a 30-minute timer, and every 30 minutes try to see if you can reconnect and get that number out.”

Showalter and Shelton said it’s important that 911 is always the first number contacted with information on location coordinates – if possible – if there are any injuries, how many people are in the group and what the situation is in as few words as possible.

While smartphones can be extremely helpful in these scenarios, there are other resources that can be lifesaving as well.

“The biggest downside of the cell phone is battery,” Shelton said. “So outside of that, there are other devices like a Bivy Stick or Garmin, what we call satellite communication devices.”

Shelton and Showalter emphasized the importance of planning ahead and letting others know exactly where you are going to be in remote areas.

Satellite communication should work as long as there’s a clear view of the sky, but it may also depend on how many satellites there are.

“That’s going to be up to Starlink to see if they launch enough of them to cover every continent across the country, right, or across the world, with every country inside of it,” Shelton said.