Verizon Samsung and Pixel users will soon get a feature previously exclusive to T-Mobile customers.

Skylo uses AI, global protocols, hardware integration, and its satellite network to enable voice calls using a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN).

Skylo already provides direct-to-device satellite connectivity to over 8 million devices, with current support for texting only. The company's new Skylo Voice Gateway will enable high-quality call service. The new Voice Gateway system will help telecom partners interpret satellite signals and ensure satellite calls function like standard voice calls.

Having launched satellite SOS messaging in 2023, Skylo began supporting SMS texting earlier this year. The company is growing its partnerships with chipset suppliers, including Samsung's chipset division, to allow handsets that use Exynos chips to make satellite calls.

Skylo is authorized to offer satellite service in 36 countries, which should facilitate a quick launch of the satellite calling feature.

Verizon is a key carrier partner, though the company's press release did not mention bringing voice connectivity to its customers. However, Verizon and Skylo collaborated to enable satellite connectivity on the Galaxy S25, and since their partnership is ongoing, an announcement is likely to come. We have contacted Skylo for confirmation and will update the article when we receive a response.

Similarly, Skylo collaborated with Google to enable two-way satellite emergency messaging on the Pixel Watch 4. Google, however, partnered with T-Mobile to enable voice calls via WhatsApp on the Pixel 10.

Based on existing partnerships, Google and Samsung handsets on Verizon's network are likely to be among the first to receive the satellite calling feature. Only devices that support NB-NTN, like the Pixel 9, Pixel 10, and Galaxy S25, will be compatible.

According to CCS Insight analyst Joe Gardiner in August 2025, the voice feature will be exclusive to the latest premium devices, such as the Google Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy, due to their NB-NTN compatible chipsets.

Skylo told The Register that they anticipate a rollout next year.

T-Mobile's T-Satellite does not yet offer native calling support, but data support is active, enabling calls through apps like WhatsApp.

Verizon and AT&T currently lag behind T-Mobile in satellite messaging, and T-Mobile has capitalized on this by allowing customers of other carriers to access the T-Satellite service for a monthly fee. Verizon has an opportunity to expedite the launch of voice calling by collaborating with Skylo and surpassing T-Mobile in delivering this functionality to its users.