Verizon has entered into agreements with two leading satellite-direct-to-device providers—AST SpaceMobile and Skylo—to enhance its customers’ connectivity options, particularly in remote outdoor locations beyond the reach of traditional wireless networks. This move aims to provide layers of redundancy, ensuring continuous service even in areas without cellular coverage, according to Verizon officials.

Srini Kalapala, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Development Officer at Verizon, explained that these partnerships will offer unique benefits to customers, with a focus on enhancing connectivity for first responders and public safety personnel.

“From a public-safety perspective, this is a game-changer,” Kalapala said in an interview with IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “Not only are we meeting the requirements of public-safety professionals with our 5G efforts, but now we are adding new layers of redundancy. If cellular coverage is unavailable, they’ll have two satellite options: Skylo and AST SpaceMobile. This gives them flexibility and reliability in critical situations.”

While competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile have pursued satellite services for years, Verizon has recently entered the space with these deals. In May, Verizon partnered with AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company already working with major carriers such as AT&T, Vodafone, and Rakuten. Last month, Verizon announced its agreement with Skylo, which leverages L-band and S-band satellite spectrum for direct-to-device services.

Kalapala highlighted that while both companies aim to provide satellite connectivity, their approaches and timelines differ. For instance, Skylo will enable Verizon customers using Android devices, starting with the Google Pixel 9, to send emergency SOS messages and other critical communications. Future Samsung flagship devices, expected in early 2024, will also support this functionality.

“Skylo offers the flexibility of using satellite-only spectrum with the NTN standard, allowing us to quickly provide services to our Android customers,” said Kalapala. “Our goal is to give customers the best options for staying connected, regardless of where they are.”

On the other hand, AST SpaceMobile’s solution will utilize Verizon’s commercial spectrum and is designed to work seamlessly with any device already compatible with Verizon’s terrestrial network. The company plans to deploy a constellation of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver a cellular-like experience in remote areas. According to Kalapala, AST SpaceMobile’s services will start with emergency SOS messaging and texting in late 2024, with data services expected in 2026 and voice capabilities by 2027.

AST SpaceMobile recently announced that its first five commercial LEO satellites are scheduled for launch this month.

Kalapala emphasized that while satellite services offer valuable backup connectivity, they will not replace traditional wireless networks. “Satellite will always be more costly and less efficient than cellular in terms of data capacity and economics,” he explained. “Our focus will continue to be on expanding and enhancing our cellular coverage, which already reaches over 99% of the U.S. population. In areas without any coverage—either from Verizon or our roaming partners—satellite services will fill the gap.”

Verizon’s new satellite partnerships will expand its overall network reach but won’t affect the company’s approach to cell-site deployment. “We prioritize building cellular infrastructure wherever it's economically and physically feasible,” Kalapala noted. “Satellite services will only be used in areas where cellular networks cannot be built.”

One key feature of these partnerships is seamless integration. Verizon customers won’t need to manually switch between terrestrial and satellite networks. “The system will automatically choose the best connectivity option,” Kalapala said. “Our goal is to provide the best possible experience without users needing to think about how their devices are connected.”

Verizon’s collaboration with AST SpaceMobile and Skylo is part of a broader strategy to ensure resilient, uninterrupted connectivity for all customers, no matter where they are.