Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Verizon customers with "select new model phones with updated software" can send texts — such as emergency SOS messages, including their location — when they are in areas inside the United States without cellular coverage. According to the company, its U.S. network provides coverage to more than 99% of the places where people "live, work and play," but its satellite service now covers the "very few places" throughout the country where customers cannot connect. For the service to work, the phones — which include Google's Pixel 9 series and Samsung's Galaxy S25 — must be outdoors with a line of sight to the Viasat, Echostar or other satellites that are part of the Skylo satellite connectivity service. The service may not work in parts of Alaska. Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin (at left) with Paul Marcarelli, Verizon's original Test Man, in an ad for Verizon's satellite services. (Image credit: Verizon) In addition, AST SpaceMobile, a satellite designer and manufacturer based in Midland, Texas, has a $100 million commitment from Verizon to provide direct-to-cellular satellite service when needed for Verizon's customers. This week, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) authorized AST to begin testing its service in the United States. This approval enables the first five of AST's commercial BlueBird satellites, already operating in low Earth orbit, to test connections with Verizon smartphones supporting voice, full data and video applications, as well as other native cellular capabilities, without the need of any specialized software or device support or update. "That's one giant leap for connectivity," says Aldrin in the commercial. AST SpaceMobile also has an agreement to provide space-based network services to AT&T and its customers. Similarly, T-Mobile partnered with SpaceX to use the Starlink broadband internet constellation and its direct-to-cell capabilities. Behind the scenes from the making of Verizon's satellite services commercial featuring Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. (Image credit: Verizon)