TAMPA, Fla. — In a leap for mobile connectivity, Skylo Technologies and Syniverse have joined forces to enable native SMS messaging over satellite for Verizon users, extending reliable communication far beyond traditional cellular coverage. This pioneering collaboration ushers in a new era where text messaging is no longer confined by terrestrial network boundaries, offering Verizon customers seamless two-way SMS access even in the most remote and underserved locations.
Traditionally, satellite communication has been limited to emergency services or specialized use cases, often requiring separate devices or complex infrastructure. Skylo and Syniverse have shattered these limitations by integrating satellite SMS directly into Verizon’s existing mobile network architecture without necessitating changes to hardware or network solutions. This innovation leverages Syniverse’s Evolved Mobility solution, which uses familiar Diameter Protocol signaling to bridge terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) smoothly and securely.
For Verizon customers, this means the ability to send and receive text messages over satellite on select devices, including recent Android smartphones, without any additional equipment. The service builds on Skylo’s earlier introduction of emergency messaging and location sharing in 2024, now expanding to full native SMS capabilities. This breakthrough is the first of its kind globally, marking Verizon as a trailblazer in commercial satellite-enabled consumer messaging.
Skylo’s approach utilizes dedicated, licensed Mobile Satellite Service spectrum in globally allocated frequency bands, ensuring continuous, interference-free coverage. Unlike other solutions that share spectrum with terrestrial networks and risk signal interference, Skylo’s method preserves network integrity while providing uninterrupted connectivity in rural, mountainous, maritime, and other hard-to-reach areas.
Syniverse’s Evolved Mobility for Messaging acts as an intelligent mediator, ensuring compatibility between satellite and terrestrial networks even when home networks do not natively support Diameter-based messaging. Its cloud-native deployment allows for scalable traffic management, maintaining consistent service quality regardless of message volume. This architecture empowers mobile network operators to extend their SMS services over satellite effortlessly, using the same infrastructure that powers their terrestrial networks.
Andrew Davies, CEO of Syniverse, highlights the critical role of satellite connectivity in emergencies: “A satellite network offers peace of mind in a time of need – but only if you can access it. Evolved Mobility for Messaging helps mobile network operators overcome interoperability challenges when integrating with Non-Terrestrial Networks like Skylo.” This collaboration ensures that satellite SMS is not just a backup but a reliable communication channel accessible anywhere.
As Skylo CEO Parthsarathi Trivedi states, “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.” Verizon’s leadership in adopting this technology underscores the industry’s shift toward integrated, resilient networks that keep people connected anytime, anywhere.
The partnership embodies a profound commitment to consumer empowerment and safety. As Jerome Baccelli, VP of Engineering & Operations at Skylo, explains, “Consumers want the peace of mind to send text messages to their friends and family at any time. Skylo enables this newfound connectivity and a sense of freedom when outside of mobile network operators’ coverage area.” Whether stranded atop a remote mountain or navigating vast oceans, Verizon customers can now stay connected with loved ones and emergency services alike.
Beyond consumer messaging, the Skylo-Syniverse-Verizon alliance paves the way for revolutionary applications in the Internet of Things (IoT) and enterprise sectors. Verizon has been at the forefront of integrating satellite IoT technology, enabling devices to roam seamlessly between terrestrial and satellite networks. This capability is vital for industries such as agriculture, maritime, logistics, mining, and environmental monitoring, where devices often operate beyond cellular reach.
For example, satellite IoT can track cattle movements on remote ranches, monitor soil and crop conditions in vast farmlands, or provide real-time asset tracking on ships traversing international waters. By combining Verizon’s extensive terrestrial network with Skylo’s satellite coverage, enterprises gain unprecedented geographic reach without investing in separate satellite hardware or networks. This convergence of technologies promises to unlock new efficiencies, safety measures, and data-driven insights across critical sectors.
Skylo Technologies, based in Mountain View, California, is a pioneer in non-terrestrial network services, offering cloud-native, 3GPP standards-based satellite connectivity that integrates seamlessly with existing cellular ecosystems. Syniverse, known as the world’s most connected company, powers global communications for carriers and enterprises, driving innovations from 5G to IoT.
Together, they are setting a new standard for mobile communication, where satellite and cellular networks converge to deliver truly ubiquitous connectivity. This partnership exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can transform everyday experiences, making reliable communication a universal right rather than a luxury.
The Skylo-Syniverse collaboration to enable SMS over satellite for Verizon customers is a landmark achievement that redefines the boundaries of mobile communication. By seamlessly integrating satellite messaging into existing networks, this partnership offers users freedom, safety, and peace of mind, regardless of location. It also heralds a future where satellite and terrestrial networks work hand in hand to support innovative applications across consumer and enterprise domains.
As connectivity becomes as ubiquitous as the sky itself, this breakthrough stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of bridging divides-geographical, technological, and social-to keep the world connected.