Two-way SMS messaging over satellite is now a reality for Verizon customers, the result of a collaboration between Skylo Technologies and Syniverse.
The companies said the Syniverse Evolved Mobility solution was used as a method for seamless integration, in their effort to introduce native direct-to-device messaging for Verizon. This means that mobile network operators (MNOs) like Verizon can use the same infrastructure and technology that is already in place to integrate SMS over non-terrestrial networks.
“Evolved Mobility for Messaging helps mobile network operators overcome interoperability challenges when integrating with non-terrestrial networks like Skylo,” explained Andrew Davies, chief executive officer of Syniverse, in an announcement this week.
SMS over satellite capability already exists on certain Verizon devices. Skylo introduced emergency messaging and location sharing to Verizon customers last year.
“Our collaboration with Syniverse makes it easy for mobile network operators to extend the same technology used for terrestrial SMS to satellite communications. Skylo’s standards-based solutions go beyond the air interface to include the entire cellular ecosystem,” said Jerome Baccelli, vice president of engineering and operations at Skylo.
Skylo uses licensed Mobile Satellite Service spectrum to expand satellite connectivity and texting worldwide. This enables seamless coverage in rural and remote areas without requiring MNOs to share spectrum, while avoiding interference between satellite and cellular networks.
Syniverse Evolved Mobility for Messaging and Skylo integrate seamlessly using the same diameter protocol that MNOs already utilize for terrestrial networks. The benefits include safe, reliable, and scalable connectivity, as well as seamless deployment in the cloud.
In March, Charter and Comcast announced that they had begun to offer emergency satellite-to-cellphone service for certain cellphones — namely, Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9. In addition, the companies said they expected to begin offering SMS text messaging to the same devices in the near future.
This followed similar news from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, all of whom have announced their own satellite offerings. AT&T and Verizon have satellite-to-cellphone deals with satellite operator AST SpaceMobile, while T-Mobile has a deal with SpaceX.
In addition to working with Verizon, Skylo also is supporting the Charter and Comcast satellite offerings.
