Verizon Is Cutting Down on Dead Zones by Expanding Satellite Texting

If you're a Verizon customer, you can now send text messages via satellite to any device, regardless of carrier, when cell service is unavailable. The mobile carrier said Thursday that it's expanding satellite texting at no cost to users with Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 smartphones. The upgrade is being rolling out immediately and will continue over the next two weeks, Verizon said in a statement. The previously announced move means you can send and receive texts on any network or device via satellite even when off the grid. This system differs from the satellite SOS tools used on iPhones and Pixel devices. Although these phones have been able to send emergency messages over satellites for a while now, Android phones have lagged behind. The move follows Verizon's efforts to test data services and video calling via satellite connectivity, similar to AT&T's initiatives. The company already relies on satellite technology for emergency response. It also marks a broader trend a ... Read full article.