Verizon is going to launch satellite messaging this fall

Verizon is the next big phone company to launch a satellite messaging service — and it’s coming soon. Starting this fall, the service will let “certain smartphones” access emergency messaging and location sharing via satellite in a partnership with Skylo — which is also powering Google’s recently announced Satellite SOS feature.

Sometime next year, Verizon says customers will also be able to send text messages via satellite.

Verizon says the service, which it is launching in partnership with Skylo, won’t cost extra. “There are no additional costs planned for this service,” according to Verizon spokesperson Karen Schulz. “Capable devices can take advantage of this irrespective of price plan.” Schulz confirmed support for the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Apple introduced Emergency SOS in 2022 with the iPhone 14, and now others are starting to catch up. With iOS 18, Apple is also adding satellite capabilities to iMessage on iPhone 14 devices and newer.

Earlier this year, Verizon invested $100 million into AST SpaceMobile, another satellite connectivity company, and despite this Skylo news, Verizon is still planning to partner with AST SpaceMobile. “We are very excited not only to work with AST, but to be a long-term investor in the success of their satellite services,” Schulz says. “Until their satellite array is launched and functional, we wanted to make sure all of our customers with capable devices have the same basic satellite messaging connectivity.”

In 2022, T-Mobile announced a partnership with SpaceX to offer a satellite connectivity service that relies on Starlink. According to Starlink’s website, the ability to text using its Direct to Cell service will be available starting this year, with voice, data, and IoT access available sometime in 2025.