Silver Linings in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

This article was co-authored by Caden Rosenbaum, Senior Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute.

Private Sector Solutions in Times of Crisis

As Hurricane Helene crippled communications infrastructure, people have been left stranded – unable to reach emergency services or even loved ones to tell them they’re safe. That is, until the actions of a few private sector companies proved pivotal in helping responders and local communities put things back together.

In times of crisis, where communication is so important, one company that’s frequently discussed is Starlink. When landlines and wireless towers went dark, the satellite communications company, founded by Elon Musk stepped up to the plate, playing a crucial role in restoring connectivity for first responders and emergency crews. According to the White House, 40 Starlink satellite systems were made available to responders to ensure rapid communication, and an additional 140 satellites are in transit to assist with communications as local communities begin the process of infrastructure restoration. 

Apple’s Hidden Feature Becomes a Lifeline

The swift deployment of Starlink satellites showcases the agility and responsiveness of private sector innovation. A surprising twist, however, was the response from Apple, when the company enabled satellite communications in the recent iOS 18 update — a capability that already existed within many iPhones unbeknownst to the general public. 

Of course, Apple has a long history of overengineering products then quietly unlocking groundbreaking features. For example, when the original iPhone launched in 2007, Bluetooth hardware was included, but very few people realized it because it wasn’t “unlocked” yet. Then, one day in 2009, Apple released IOS 3.0 and suddenly all iPhone users had Bluetooth capability and all the audio streaming and peer-to-peer connectivity that comes along with it. 

With the activation of Satellite phone capability in iOS 18 in the lead up to Hurricane Helene, this hidden feature has become a lifeline for many hurricane victims who were able to connect with emergency services. X has been flooded with posts of North Carolina residents thanking Apple for their life-saving tech, a testament to how tech innovation, when given the space to thrive, can transform into life saving tools.

Apple’s Hidden Feature Becomes a Lifeline

The swift deployment of Starlink satellites showcases the agility and responsiveness of private sector innovation. A surprising twist, however, was the response from Apple, when the company enabled satellite communications in the recent iOS 18 update — a capability that already existed within many iPhones unbeknownst to the general public. 

Of course, Apple has a long history of overengineering products then quietly unlocking groundbreaking features. For example, when the original iPhone launched in 2007, Bluetooth hardware was included, but very few people realized it because it wasn’t “unlocked” yet. Then, one day in 2009, Apple released IOS 3.0 and suddenly all iPhone users had Bluetooth capability and all the audio streaming and peer-to-peer connectivity that comes along with it. 

With the activation of Satellite phone capability in iOS 18 in the lead up to Hurricane Helene, this hidden feature has become a lifeline for many hurricane victims who were able to connect with emergency services. X has been flooded with posts of North Carolina residents thanking Apple for their life-saving tech, a testament to how tech innovation, when given the space to thrive, can transform into life saving tools.