Satellite connectivity on Verizon is about to get a major upgrade, SMS services landing ‘soon’
Verizon's direct-to-device satellite texting service is coming soon, taking its Skylo partnership even further.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- Verizon and Skylo Technologies are developing direct-to-device satellite-based SMS and voice calling services, expanding beyond emergency SOS functionality.
- Only the Pixel 9 series and Galaxy S25 series currently support Verizon and Skylo’s satellite-bases SOS services due to specialized hardware for NTN communication.
- Verizon has also partnered with AST SpaceMobile to test full data access, voice calls, and video applications over satellite without requiring hardware modifications.
Verizon is set to expand its satellite capabilities beyond emergency SOS texting, soon offering full satellite-based SMS and voice calling. Pete Saladino, Global Head of Marketing at Skylo Technologies, told Mobile World Live that Skylo is collaborating with Verizon to enable SMS over satellite for everyday messaging with friends and family. According to Saladino, both companies “hope to bring (the service) to market soon.”
