What you need to know
- Xfinity and Spectrum Mobile are planning to provide satellite messaging to their customers on select Android phones “in the coming weeks.”
- Initially, only the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 lineups will be supported.
- This move follows Verizon’s recent introduction of satellite messaging on those same devices, marking an industry first.
Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 series have satellite connectivity support, and major U.S. cellular carriers are preparing to offer free satellite messaging for users of these models. Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum are both set to offer satellite texting for customers with a Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9 in the near future. This development comes just a day after Verizon became the first carrier to implement the service.
The announcement reveals that Charter Communications and Comcast, the operators of Xfinity and Spectrum Mobile respectively, are partnering with Skylo to deliver satellite messaging. This new functionality will enable customers to “send and receive SMS text messages over satellite service” and is expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks.
At present, satellite messaging seems to be limited to the Galaxy S25 lineup and Pixel 9 series. Verizon’s offering is exclusive to these models, and the same applies to the planned services from Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum.
The upcoming satellite messaging capabilities from Spectrum and Xfinity Mobile will allow customers to send texts to any number when Wi-Fi and cellular networks are unavailable, using overhead satellites. This feature complements the existing “Satellite SOS” function offered by Google, which is specifically for emergency situations.
While Spectrum and Xfinity Mobile are not offering satellite messaging for iPhone users at this time, Android users may find it more beneficial. Starting with iOS 18, Apple provides free satellite messaging for users with an iPhone 14 or newer. Despite Samsung and Google manufacturing phones capable of satellite connectivity, they have chosen to leave this feature to the cellular carriers to provide through their non-terrestrial network (NTN) service providers.
“The availability of satellite backup service provides Spectrum Mobile customers with a sense of security, knowing they can stay connected even in the most remote locations,” said Danny Bowman, the executive vice president of product at Charter Communications, in a press release.