Verizon has partnered with Skylo to introduce a commercial direct-to-device messaging service for its customers, ensuring connectivity wherever they are. From this autumn, customers with certain smartphones will be able to access emergency messaging and location sharing even when traditional cellular networks are unavailable. Next year, Verizon plans to expand this service, allowing customers with compatible devices to send text messages via satellite from virtually any location.
“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. 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,” said Srini Kalapala, Senior Vice President of Technology and Product Development for Verizon.
Skylo’s technology uses dedicated, licensed mobile satellite spectrum, ensuring that connectivity does not interfere with terrestrial networks and providing seamless coverage in remote or challenging areas where traditional cellular infrastructure is impractical. Verizon is the first mobile carrier globally to commercially launch supplemental smartphone connectivity on Skylo’s non-terrestrial satellite network and the first to introduce a commercial direct-to-device service.
“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. 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. We are excited to partner with the carrier known globally for its powerful performance and reliable service as we bring a new level of connectivity from space,” said Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO and Co-Founder of Skylo.
Verizon is also pioneering future innovations in satellite technology for enterprise customers. The company has been developing IoT solutions using 4G and Narrow Band IoT, and with Skylo, it has been researching and developing satellite IoT technology. This has led to successful demonstrations of Verizon-enabled IoT devices seamlessly switching to satellite networks when out of range of terrestrial cellular coverage, thereby extending the geographic reach of IoT devices.
“Verizon’s network boasts an exceptionally large terrestrial cellular network and covers more than 99% of the population in the United States. However, there are occasional enterprise needs for IoT devices in places where people don’t live or regularly visit. Satellite IoT in combination with Verizon’s terrestrial assets creates the perfect combination for IoT solutions in the most remote parts of the country and over land, air and sea without having to use a separate physical device,” said Kalapala.
This satellite IoT roaming capability is particularly valuable for industries such as transportation, agriculture, maritime, environmental monitoring, and asset tracking. For instance, in agriculture, satellite IoT can monitor cattle, crops, soil conditions, and weather in remote areas where terrestrial connectivity is unnecessary. In asset tracking, satellite networks enable real-time tracking and condition monitoring even in the middle of the ocean.
These solutions, requiring low-complexity, low-bandwidth, and energy-efficient IoT devices, are ideally suited for satellite roaming. In a recent proof-of-concept, Verizon and Skylo successfully demonstrated the interoperability of a Verizon-enabled IoT device across both Verizon’s cellular and Skylo’s satellite networks, showcasing the practical benefits of this seamless roaming capability.
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