A number of gamers in satellite tv for pc and telecommunications—Syniverse, Skylo Applied sciences, KPN, Viasat, SES, Gilat Satellite tv for pc Networks, One New Zealand, Telesat, 4iG, and Azercosmos—have introduced strategic partnerships and improvements in April 2025. These developments span satellite-based SMS, IoT connectivity, direct-to-device communications, in-flight broadband, and defence-grade options.
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Take a look at the developments intimately beneath:
1. Syniverse and Skylo Accomplice to Allow Two-Approach Satellite tv for pc SMS Messaging for Verizon
Syniverse, a worldwide cellular communications firm, and Skylo Applied sciences, a non-terrestrial community (NTN) communications specialist, have partnered to implement two-way SMS messaging over satellite tv for pc networks for Verizon. The partnership extends satellite tv for pc connectivity past emergency providers, supporting native SMS messaging over satellite tv for pc for Verizon prospects, Syniverse stated on Monday, April 28.
Sky launched emergency messaging and site sharing for Verizon prospects in 2024, with SMS messaging over satellite tv for pc now out there on choose Verizon gadgets.
This collaboration permits cellular community operators (MNOs) to supply satellite-based textual content messaging with out the necessity to alter their current infrastructure, {hardware}, or community structure. The answer integrates Skylo’s non-terrestrial community (NTN) expertise with Syniverse’s Developed Mobility for Messaging platform, which facilitates interoperability between terrestrial and satellite tv for pc networks. By leveraging the Diameter protocol—generally utilized in conventional mobile networks—the platform ensures dependable, scalable, and safe messaging connectivity.
Skylo utilises licensed Cellular Satellite tv for pc Service (MSS) spectrum inside globally allotted frequency bands, permitting it to supply satellite tv for pc protection in distant and underserved areas. This strategy not solely avoids interference between satellite tv for pc and mobile networks but additionally does not require MNOs to share their terrestrial spectrum belongings.
“Whether or not you are atop a mountain, miles off the coast, or reeling from an earthquake, a satellite tv for pc community presents peace of thoughts in a time of want — however provided that you possibly can entry it,” stated Andrew Davies, Chief Government Officer of Syniverse. “Developed Mobility for Messaging helps cellular community operators overcome interoperability challenges when integrating with Non-Terrestrial Networks like Skylo.”
Skylo’s VP of Engineering and Operations, Jerome Baccelli, emphasised the broader implications for international connectivity. “Our collaboration with Syniverse makes it straightforward for cellular community operators to increase the identical expertise used for terrestrial SMS to satellite tv for pc communications. Skylo’s standards-based options transcend the air interface to incorporate the whole mobile ecosystem.”
2. KPN and Skylo Accomplice for World Satellite tv for pc IoT protection
Skylo Applied sciences has introduced Dutch operator KPN as its newest associate. The satellite tv for pc providers supplier will work with KPN Wholesale on mission-critical communication in markets worldwide, to make sure connectivity even the place gaps in cellular community protection exist. Skylo stated on April 21, 2025, that the businesses goal to “set a brand new normal for steady communication in IoT”, serving to KPN open up new enterprise alternatives globally.
With superior Non-Terrestrial Community (NTN) expertise, primarily based on the 3GPP Launch 17 trade requirements, gadgets can seamlessly swap between cellular and satellite tv for pc networks. This ensures an uninterrupted connection from the identical machine with out the necessity for giant, conventional satellite tv for pc dishes, Skylo defined.
“Skylo is worked up to associate with KPN to launch satellite-based IoT providers throughout the Netherlands, and all over the world whereas opening components of the globe as soon as thought not possible to succeed in. This collaboration will empower KPN’s prospects in sectors like agriculture, power, maritime, and transportation with enhanced connectivity, bettering enterprise effectivity, asset monitoring, security, and reliability,” stated Paul Hanton, World VP for Service Partnerships at Skylo.
3. Viasat Demonstrates Direct-to-Gadget Satellite tv for pc Communication in Brazil
Satellite tv for pc communications firm Viasat introduced it has efficiently demonstrated its direct-to-handset (D2H) cellular satellite tv for pc communication in Brazil. This demonstration, witnessed by native companions, authorities and telecom operators, showcased two smartphones connecting immediately by way of satellite tv for pc with out counting on terrestrial infrastructure. This expertise, utilizing 3GPP NTN requirements, goals to handle the restricted cellular protection in distant components of Brazil.
Viasat stated this signifies the beginning of a brand new age of connectivity within the nation the place solely about 18 % of the geographic space is roofed by mobile networks, in keeping with Anatel knowledge printed in September 2024.
The demonstration centered on two major eventualities wherein D2D expertise was utilised: direct-to-handset communication and knowledge transmission for internet-of-things (IoT) gadgets within the agricultural and transportation sectors, with plans for enlargement into extra markets.
Leandro Gaunszer, Basic Supervisor, Viasat Brazil, stated: “It reveals that dependable major satellite tv for pc communications over smartphones and IoT purposes are way more out there, opening the door for a future the place expertise will assist construct the bridge to the unconnected and make it out there to a wider vary of people and firms, no matter the place they’re situated. Our intensive L-band protection and alignment of satellite tv for pc applied sciences with 3GPP requirements present a powerful basis for introducing this groundbreaking answer to the nation.”
Viasat famous a GSMA Intelligence research suggesting potential international D2D revenues might exceed USD 30 billion per yr by 2035. The big areas of Brazil with out terrestrial connectivity symbolize a major alternative for MNOs, OEMs, and answer suppliers.
Viasat stated it performs a key function in advancing open structure standards-based D2D connectivity as a founding member of the Cellular Satellite tv for pc Providers Affiliation (MSSA), a nonprofit organisation that brings collectively a variety of trade gamers to advertise cellular satellite tv for pc connectivity on a worldwide scale. The corporate additionally collaborates with chipset producers and different connectivity suppliers to assist allow D2D expertise to turn out to be broadly out there within the coming years.
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4. SES to Deploy Open Orbits World In-Flight Connectivity for Uzbekistan Airways, Thai Airways
SES has introduced it is going to be offering its Open Orbits international inflight connectivity community to improve the airline fleets of Uzbekistan Airways and Thai Airways’ future B787 plane. Via its collaborating companions, the SES Open Orbits community is designed to supply web speeds of as much as 300 Mbps and is offered on all manufacturing airframes, together with line-fit provide and retrofit options tailor-made to the airline’s necessities.
Uzbekistan Airways is ready to combine the SES Open Orbits community into its in-flight connectivity (IFC) providers on its upcoming A321neo plane from 2026, in keeping with SES’s assertion on April 8.
Final October, Thai Airways turned the primary Southeast Asian airline to undertake the SES Open Orbits community for its A321NX and B777 plane, with deliveries starting in H2 2025. The nationwide service of Thailand may also combine the SES community on its future B787 plane, which can be line-fitted with supply scheduled in 2026.
“We now have seen an excellent response out there to our preliminary providing of MEO-GEO providers, and we’re very excited to see extra airways embrace our worth proposition of a constant and resilient service globally,” stated Andrew Ruszkowski, World Head of Aviation of SES.
5. Gilat Secures Over USD 11 Million Defence Contract from UAV Firm
Gilat Satellite tv for pc Networks has introduced on April 9 that Gilat Protection was awarded a contract exceeding USD 11 million for DKET 3420 terminals by a UAV (unmanned aerial automobile) firm. These moveable satellite tv for pc communication hubs are designed to ship strong connectivity, scalability and suppleness for mission-critical operations. Deliveries are scheduled for later within the yr.
“The DKET 3420 is a field-proven answer designed to fulfill the calls for of mission-critical communications with excessive reliability and efficiency. Supporting multi-carrier operations with a scalable modem structure of as much as 32 modems, the DKET 3420 ensures environment friendly satellite tv for pc utilisation,” Gilat stated.
“The newly fashioned Protection Division is firmly on monitor to fulfill and exceed the demanding expectations of our international protection prospects, and this award is a testomony to that momentum,” stated Gilad Landsberg, President of Gilat Protection.
6. One NZ’s Satellite tv for pc Direct-to-Gadget Service Surpasses One Million Messages Despatched
One New Zealand stated that in below 4 months since its preliminary launch, uptake for the One NZ Satellite tv for pc TXT service, which utilises Starlink, has seen a million messages despatched at no additional price. The operator added that round 30 completely different handsets are actually eligible, with extra to return. The service has continued to increase eligibility including extra telephones and increasing from Pay Month-to-month plans to incorporate Prepay since launch.
All through the previous couple of months, associate SpaceX has continued to launch Starlink Direct to Cell satellites that energy the texting service, the corporate stated.
“With over 500 Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell functionality now in orbit, we have seen a dramatic enchancment within the time it takes for a message to ship or obtain via area. The overwhelming majority of messages are actually despatched and obtained inside three minutes, with most in a minute or much less,” One NZ stated on April 23.
The corporate additionally stated, “Whereas the satellite tv for pc community presents protection like by no means earlier than it additionally presents an additional layer of resilience in excessive climate occasions that have an effect on energy to the bottom primarily based cellular community.”
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7. Viasat Expands Multi-Orbit Connectivity with Telesat Lightspeed Integration
Satellite tv for pc communications firm Viasat has signed an settlement with Telesat to combine Telesat’s Lightspeed low Earth orbit (LEO) Ka-band capability into its multi-orbit community. This integration goals to reinforce connectivity efficiency throughout Viasat’s mobility and defence enterprise segments.
The LEO capability from Telesat Lightspeed can be built-in with Viasat’s ultra-high throughput satellites to supply prospects quick, extremely dependable, strong and cost-effective connectivity providers, the corporate stated on April 7, 2025.
These providers can be backed by complete Service Stage Agreements (SLAs), selling dependable broadband connections even within the highest demand geographic areas together with hub airports, seaports, and different excessive visitors routes and areas.
Telesat Lightspeed is designed to be a extremely superior, versatile and resilient LEO constellation that’s anticipated to reinforce Viasat’s potential to ship its prospects a superior, multi-orbit, differentiated broadband connectivity answer, the corporate defined.
“A really broad vary of mobility prospects in each vertical market, whether or not international or regional, are enthusiastic about multi-orbit options which might be price efficient, provide assurances of excessive efficiency, and are resilient to intentional or unintentional service disruptions. By leveraging our personal satellite tv for pc fleet and its distinctive benefits, current nationwide operator partnerships, plus protection and capability from main third-party satellites and constellations, our providers are designed to supply prospects with the important capability density, market entry, velocity, bandwidth and responsiveness they want,” stated Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat. “Importantly, now we have continued to innovate superior multi-orbit useful resource administration strategies to scale back prices and increase geographic protection to higher serve the distinctive wants of every mobility and defence buyer.”
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8. 4iG and Azercosmos Signal MoU to Discover House Business Collaboration
4iG introduced on April 24 the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between its subsidiary, 4iG House and Defence Applied sciences (4iG SDT), and Azercosmos, the House Company of Azerbaijan. The settlement, signed in Baku through the House Know-how Convention – Central Eurasia (STC 2025), marks a major step in the direction of potential collaboration within the area sector between the 2 organisations.
The MoU outlines a shared curiosity in a number of areas inside the area trade. These embody cooperation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Earth statement, mutual utilization of Earth statement knowledge, satellite tv for pc communications by way of geostationary orbit (GEO), and the set up and operation of satellite tv for pc floor segments. Moreover, the events expressed intent to collaborate on manufacturing, meeting, integration, and testing (MAIT) of small satellites.
The settlement additionally paves the way in which for joint analysis and growth (R&D) initiatives, innovation initiatives, and the implementation of academic and internship applications.
