Skylo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Industry | Telecommunications |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Parthsarathi Trivedi |
| Products | Satellite communications |
| Website | www |
Skylo is a satellite communications company headquartered in Mountain View, California that provides connectivity based on 3GPP Rel-17 for SMS, sensor data, and other low-bandwidth services, with plans that include voice calls and limited data for consumer devices.[1] It connects regular cellular devices to satellites through existing satellite networks so they can work when terrestrial cellular coverage is not available, using a system that works with satellite operators, mobile networks, and device makers.[2]
Skylo was founded in 2017 by a team from Stanford University's space lab. The company first focused on satellite connectivity for IoT devices, then moved into direct-to-device satellite services for smartphones after satellite messaging appeared on consumer phones in the early 2020s.[2]
Skylo built its system around NB-IoT and later 3GPP Release 17 standards for phone-to-satellite communications, and its network and support systems were deployed around that technology. By 2024, Skylo said its systems had already handled more than one million satellite-based messages.[2]
In 2024, Skylo raised US$37 million in funding from Intel Capital and Innovation Endeavors, with participation from venture funds linked to BMW and Samsung.[3] In 2025, Skylo announced another US$30 million funding round led by NGP Capital and said it had expanded commercial service to the United States, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.[4]