Verizon announced this week that its direct-to-device satellite messaging service is now available across some Android smartphones.

The carrier noted that its service allows customers to send text messages to any other customer device via satellite when outside the reach of terrestrial cellular networks.

Verizon said the service is now live on select Android devices from the series of Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 smartphones.

According to the carrier, further upgrades to this service will continue over the next couple of weeks.

The feature is different from the satellite SOS feature that has been built into recent iPhone devices.

"This expansion of satellite texting capabilities is a testament to our commitment to ensure customers stay connected wherever they are," said Joe Russo, EVP & president of global network and technology. “We know our customers expect more and we continue to innovate for them.”

All three of the big US operators have pushed hard on their focus to use satellites to enhance their respective mobile services in recent years.

Last month, Verizon and AT&T both paired with AST SpaceMobile to carry out direct-to-device (D2D) video calls.

The two telcos separately announced the trials with AST SpaceMobile, which used the company's five low earth orbit (LEO) BlueBird satellites.

Verizon and AT&T, along with Vodafone, are all investors in AST SpaceMobile, rivaling Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink.

As for T-Mobile, the carrier has been working with Starlink since 2022 to provide satellite messaging services. The operator is currently carrying out a beta test of the service across the US.

Musk confirmed last year that Starlink will provide mobile phone Internet in the US exclusively to T-Mobile for just one year.

In August 2022, T-Mobile stated that its partnership with Starlink will provide speeds of around 2-4Mbps.