Orange, a leading European carrier, has revealed a collaboration with Skylo to roll out satellite SMS services, referred to as “Satellite Message,” for Google’s Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 smartphones beginning December 11. This program will first be accessible to users in mainland France, enabling them to send and receive SMS messages and share their location through satellite technology. The service utilizes Skylo’s NTN (non-terrestrial network) technology, which is similarly employed by Google for its Pixel Satellite SOS feature and the Pixel Watch.
To utilize the service, users need to own a Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 smartphone and subscribe to Orange’s 5G or 5G Plus plans. The satellite SMS service is anticipated to be a limited-time exclusive for these Pixel models before being made available on other devices and services. Orange aims to broaden this service to business and enterprise clients by 2026.
Skylo’s technology, which facilitates connectivity in remote locations lacking cellular or Wi-Fi signals, is also leveraged by Verizon for its satellite texting service. This partnership underscores the increasing trend of incorporating satellite communication features into consumer gadgets, improving connectivity in regions with sparse network access.
