Verizon to Launch Satellite Messaging Services on Android This Fall

Verizon, a major telecommunications company, plans to introduce a satellite messaging service this fall. The new service will allow certain smartphones to access emergency messaging and location sharing via satellite in partnership with Skylo, which is also involved with Google’s recent Satellite SOS feature. Initially, Verizon customers will not incur additional costs for this service, as confirmed by Verizon spokesperson Karen Schulz. Compatible devices, such as the Pixel 9 Pro series, will be able to utilize this service irrespective of their price plan. This is prepared by SSP.

According to Verizon, starting next year, users will also have the ability to send general text messages via satellite. Schulz highlighted that the service would provide basic satellite messaging connectivity for all applicable devices until the AST SpaceMobile array is both launched and fully functional. Verizon has invested $100 million in AST SpaceMobile and, despite the partnership with Skylo, plans to continue its collaboration with AST SpaceMobile.

Skylo has engineered ground infrastructure to facilitate the connection between L-band geostationary satellites and devices equipped with the latest chipset standards. Among the first to benefit from this service will be Google’s Pixel Pro family and the Samsung Galaxy S25. These devices will gain emergency narrowband connectivity when cell towers are unavailable.

Verizon is breaking new ground as the first mobile carrier to publicly announce this form of supplemental smartphone connectivity with Silicon Valley-based Skylo. Despite not releasing financial or technical specifics about their partnership, Skylo disclosed that devices operating on its network could send and receive texts with a latency of five to fifteen seconds via geostationary satellites.

In a similar realm, Apple advanced space-based SOS functionality with its iPhone models featuring Globalstar’s L-band satellites, announced two years prior. T-Mobile, another telecom giant, is collaborating with SpaceX to deliver a satellite connectivity service relying on Starlink, expected to offer texting this year, with voice and data services following in 2025.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is scheduled to launch AST SpaceMobile’s initial batch of operational satellites in early September. Both AST SpaceMobile and its rival services still need to address interference concerns to secure the necessary regulatory approvals for commercial operations.

In conclusion, Verizon’s upcoming satellite messaging service sets a significant milestone in the rapidly evolving landscape of mobile connectivity, ensuring no additional costs to its customers while providing broad emergency communication capabilities.