Skylo expands satellite network for seamless global access

Skylo has announced the expansion of its direct-to-device satellite network, achieving seamless global satellite connectivity for over a billion devices.

Skylo's network facilitates the automatic switching between satellite and cellular networks, eliminating coverage gaps without additional hardware. The service supports devices spanning smartphones, wearables, vehicles, and the Internet of Things (IoT) systems. A survey illuminated the demand for improved connectivity, revealing that 76% of American consumers feel frustrated or unsafe due to poor cellular coverage.

Satellite SMS has been identified as a crucial solution, providing a consistent communication channel for emergency and daily use. Skylo's technology particularly benefits the 59% of users who often face weak signals, allowing them a dependable link during emergencies or routine communication. The survey highlighted that 70% of respondents view Emergency Services or Navigation as the most critical application of the service, with 46% experiencing coverage deficiencies in everyday locations such as their neighbourhoods, commute routes, or while visiting family and friends.

While similar services are typically associated with remote settings, Skylo provides a continuous network overlay, even in urban areas or the fringes of cellular networks. Its network operates using Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum, aligning with an existing global regulatory framework, thus preserving essential carrier spectrum for satellite signals.

Speaking about the technology's broad potential, Parthsarthi Trivedi, Skylo's Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, remarked, "2025 is the year for satellite connected devices at global scale — consumers and businesses will begin to experience seamless connectivity in their daily lives no matter where they go. For a satellite company, we spend an incredible amount of our time and energy working to ensure that all the elements here on Earth work together in a coherent and seamless manner. No one else has built an integrated experience from the ground up with a standards-based ecosystem of partners from chipset makers to module and device manufacturers, certification testing labs, SIM providers, and mobile carriers. We are paving the way forward for the entire industry to embrace enhanced connectivity in their products and services."

The network has already handled millions of satellite-based messages, and Skylo asserts it is prepared to scale up to support billions of devices within the fully licensed satellite spectrum.

In related developments, Skylo has engaged in collaborations with firms such as Grinn, KYOCERA AVX, and Sony Altair. These partnerships have facilitated the design of satellite-based reference solutions utilising NB-NTN technology, which broadens the scope of potential applications in fields including logistics, agriculture, and emergency services.