Супутник на орбіті Землі / Depositphotos
Apple introduced satellite communications for the iPhone back in 2022, and since then, the ability to send messages via satellite has become an important feature for mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers.
Now, Verizon has partnered with Skylo to launch its own satellite text messaging service, which is available to select Android smartphone users. Skylo uses licensed mobile satellite spectrum that avoids interference with terrestrial signals, providing coverage in remote areas where traditional mobile communications are not available.
Verizon satellite messaging is only available on Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 smartphones. Unlike Starlink integration from T-MobileVerizon is unable to extend Skylo’s satellite messaging capability to iPhone users because the feature requires special hardware components in the smartphone.
iPhone users (starting with the iPhone 14) already have access to satellite notifications in iOS 18 using the built-in support for Globalstar satellites. However, the ability to connect to another company’s satellites could increase the likelihood of connectivity in remote or rural areas.
Apple also added support for Starlink for iPhonedevices operating on the T-Mobile network. This happened with the release of the iOS 18.3 update. As a result, T-Mobile subscribers can use Starlink for satellite messaging as part of an open beta test. Compared to Apple’s built-in solution, Starlink has more satellites, and smartphones can automatically connect to them without having to raise the device to the sky.
While Verizon’s Skylo satellite messaging is not yet available on the iPhone, the company is working on other satellite technologies. Verizon has partnered with AST SpaceMobile to provide customers with direct satellite communications in the future when mobile terrestrial networks are unavailable. When the partnership between Verizon and AST SpaceMobile is realized, the company will likely be able to offer satellite messaging for both iPhone and Android.
Verizon and AST SpaceMobile plan to provide satellite communications with support for text messaging, voice calls and video calls. AST SpaceMobile has already received permission from the US Federal Communications Commission to test five commercial BlueBird satellites that will work with smartphones.
Source: macrumors