Verizon has partnered with Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communications provider Skylo to launch a commercial direct-to-device messaging service for Verizon customers.
Set to go live this fall, customers with certain smartphones will have access to emergency messaging and location sharing even when a terrestrial cellular network is not available.
From next year, the carrier notes it will offer the ability to text anywhere via satellite for customers with select devices.
Verizon claims to be the first mobile carrier globally to commercially launch supplemental smartphone connectivity on Skylo’s non-terrestrial satellite network and the first mobile carrier to launch a commercial direct-to-device service offering.
“Verizon has been driving innovation in the use of supplemental satellite capabilities for years using satellite connections for cell tower rapid deployments, emergency response, and temporary solutions," said Srini Kalapala, senior VP of technology and product development for Verizon.
"We are encouraged by the progress being made in satellite-to-device communications for consumers and are equally excited to be driving technical innovation trials in the space of satellite IoT solutions."
Mobile World Live reports that Skylo's messaging service with Verizon will be provisioned over L-band satellites owned by Viasat.
"Our work with Verizon strengthens our belief in network convergence between satellite and cellular, and now this vision is a reality today for both consumers and enterprises," added Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO & co-founder of Skylo.
"Satellite access isn’t just about reaching out when you’re in trouble; it’s connectivity for staying in touch with your loved ones wherever they are."
The partnership with Skylo expands Verizon's satellite offering further. Verizon also has an agreement with AST SpaceMobile to provide satellite broadband coverage.
Verizon, along with AT&T, last week urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to delay T-Mobile's proposed direct-to-cell satellite offering with SpaceX's Starlink offering.
The two telcos told the regulator that SpaceX’s plans would harm their respective mobile broadband networks. SpaceX has disputed the claims.
In other space news:
Australian telco TPG Telecom has paired with Lynk Global to eliminate mobile coverage dead zones around Australia. The partnership will see the two companies aim to expand mobile coverage in rural and remote parts of the country via Lynk’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit Satellites. Initial text message trials are set to start next year.
