Apple, having recently launched its new iPhone 15 series, has integrated India’s NavIC satellite navigation system into its high-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models to enhance location-based services. NavIC offers precise real-time positioning and timing services.
In the tech specifications, Apple highlights that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max now support NavIC alongside other satellite navigation systems such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou.
This marks the first instance of Apple extending support for NavIC to its iPhone models. Historically, GPS, controlled by the US government, has been the predominant satellite-based navigation system in India and globally.
India is actively promoting its own navigation system to reduce reliance on GPS and similar systems. Several smartphone manufacturers like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Realme have already incorporated NavIC support into some of their devices.
India’s aim is to expand NavIC’s coverage worldwide and encourage tech companies to ensure their devices are compatible with this new standard.
To fulfill the nation’s positioning, navigation, and timing requirements, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) established the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellite system. NavIC was previously known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
At present, eight initial NavIC satellites circle the Earth, with half designated for navigation and the remainder for messaging functions.
In May, India successfully launched the first of its second-generation navigation satellites, NVS-01.
NavIC’s coverage encompasses India and extends up to 1,500 km beyond India’s borders, as per ISRO. NavIC SPS signals are compatible with other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals, including GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and BeiDou.
