Space42 and Skylo complete SMS and SOS test on Thuraya-4

Space42 · Skylo

Space42 and Skylo tested two-way SMS and SOS messaging to standard Android phones via the Thuraya-4 satellite.

what happened

Space42 and Skylo Technologies said July 9 they completed testing of direct-to-device SMS and SOS messaging on standard Android devices in the UAE, using Space42's Thuraya-4 geostationary satellite and Skylo's 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial network platform. The companies said commercial D2D messaging is expected to roll out later this year, contingent on regulatory approval.

why it matters

Thuraya-4 is geostationary, so a working D2D messaging path gives Space42 global reach without a LEO constellation buildout, competing for mobile-operator partnerships against AST SpaceMobile's and Starlink's LEO-based direct-to-device services. Commercial terms still depend on regulatory approvals in each target market.

signal-to-noise

4/5WIDELY REPORTED

srcsource class: tier 3 on its owncorcorroboration: +1 from 1 rule3base tier 3 from lead source class "trade" (Via Satellite) satellitetoday.com+12 distinct sources (>=2)scorer v2 · how scores work

quick facts

Companies: Space42, Skylo
Category: product
Impact: noise
SNR: 4 / 5
Event date: 2026-07-09
Published: 2026-07-10 18:46 UTC

#connectivity #direct-to-device #mena

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