Putting up Satellites is pretty much a fixed cost. It's not like insurance. Apple is not paying for your rescue. The text costs maybe $0.25 to send. A 1 time u

Putting up Satellites is pretty much a fixed cost. It's not like insurance. Apple is not paying for your rescue. The text costs maybe $0.25 to send. A 1 time upfront access fee, to cover satellite fixed costs, plus a per-use fee to cover marginal costs. Subscription-only leaves money on the table.