Verizon, the largest mobile network operator in the United States of America, has announced that its customers can now send text messages to anyone via satellite when they are outside the reach of terrestrial cellular networks. That makes it the first network provider in the country to offer satellite text messaging commercially.
However, this feature is available only for select Android phones, and if you have chosen Samsung’s Galaxy S25, your decision is now paying off big time. That is because Verizon says that at the moment, its satellite text messaging service is available only for Samsung’s latest non-foldable flagship phones and the Google Pixel 9 series.
How does satellite text messaging work?
Verizon is offering this service in collaboration with AST SpaceMobile. In layman’s terms, the two companies have placed mobile towers in space, which allows them to connect with mobile phones anywhere on the earth. Also known as non-terrestrial networks or NTNs, the technology helps people connect when they are in an area without coverage from mobile towers on the earth.
Last month, Verizon also successfully tested video calling via satellite. However, this service may come after the brand releases voice calls via satellite. AT&T with AST SpaceMobile and T-Mobile with SpaceX are also testing similar services. The former also demonstrated satellite video calls using Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra. Satellite services from the two brands may arrive soon.
