Verizon Adds Skylo to its D2D Partnerships

Verizon is teaming with Skylo on direct-to-device service using mobile satellite spectrum, the carrier said Wednesday. The Skylo arrangement comes atop Verizon's D2D partnership with AST SpaceMobile (see 2405290003). Verizon is "hedg[ing] its bets," satellite and spectrum consultant Tim Farrar posted on X. Verizon said that certain smartphones would have emergency messaging and location sharing capabilities outside terrestrial network coverage starting this fall. It said texting would be available on select devices starting in 2025.