Google Pixel 10. Photo: Google
Google Pixel 10. Photo: Google
Orange is launching a satellite messaging service working with Skylo, the French telco announced Tuesday during an Orange OpenTech event.
Orange said the service is currently available in France and 36 countries including other European nations Germany, England, Spain, and others.
Called “Message Satellite,” the service allows Orange’s 5G and 5G+ customers to send SMS messages and geolocation via satellite when mobile or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. It is initially only available for Google Pixel 9 and 10 smartphones.
These two Google Pixel models are compatible with Skylo’s service and already include an emergency messaging service called Satellite SOS in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, with more regions to come.
Orange said Tuesday it will be available to the general public next month, and to professional and corporate customers next year. Message Satellite will be available as a free option for the first 6 months, then at a price of 5 euro per month ($5.80).
Orange France CEO Jérôme Hénique said in a release it is the first operator in France to launch satellite direct-to-device services.
“The launch of this technology in France to enable the sending and receiving of SMS messages is a major first step for the Group, paving the way for an enrichment of services available to Orange customers as technological evolutions continue,” commented Michaël Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale.
Skylo works with mobile network operators and device and chip manufacturers to enable standards-based D2D services using mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum from satellite partners, including Viasat. The company is currently providing D2D service for both the Google Pixel phone and for Verizon customers with compatible devices.
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