Verizon messaging anywhere

Verizon has partnered with Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communications provider Skylo to launch a commercial direct-to-device messaging service for Verizon customers.Set to go live this fall, customers with certain smartphones will have access to emergency messaging and location sharing even when a terrestrial cellular network is not available.From next year, the carrier notes it will offer the ability to text anywhere via satellite for customers with select devices.Verizon claims to be the first mobile carrier globally to commercially launch supplemental smartphone connectivity on Skylo’s non-terrestrial satellite network and the first mobile carrier to launch a commercial direct-to-device service offering.“Verizon has been driving innovation in the use of supplemental satellite capabilities for years using satellite connections for cell tower rapid deployments, emergency response, and temporary solutions," said Srini Kalapala, senior VP of technology and product development for Verizon."We are encouraged by the progress being made in satellite-to-device communications for consumers and are equally excited to be driving technical innovation trials in the space of satellite IoT solutions."Mobile World Live reports that Skylo's messaging service with Verizon will be provisioned over L-band satellites owned by Viasat."Our work with Verizon strengthens our belief in network convergence between satellite and cellular, and now this vision is a reality today for both consumers and enterprises," added Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO & co-founder of Skylo."Satellite access isn’t just about reaching out when you’re in trouble; it’s connectivity for staying in touch with your loved ones wherever they are."The partnership with Skylo expands Verizon's satellite offering further. Verizon also has an agreement with AST SpaceMobile to provide satellite broadband coverage.Verizon, along with AT&T, last week urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to delay T-Mobile's proposed direct-to-cell satellite offering with SpaceX's Starlink offering.The two telcos told the regulator that SpaceX’s plans would harm their respective mobile broadband networks. SpaceX has disputed the claims.In other space news:Australian telco TPG Telecom has paired with Lynk Global to eliminate mobile coverage dead zones around Australia. The partnership will see the two companies aim to expand mobile coverage in rural and remote parts of the country via Lynk’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit Satellites. Initial text message trials are set to start next year.

OpturaDesign/Shutterstock Looks like it is the end of the road for Verizon's home-grown text messaging app — Verizon Messages. The app, which has been around since 2011, may not have featured in the list of most popular messaging tools, but in its 13 years of existence, it did manage to garner a small, but dedicated user base. The app, which also went by the name Verizon Message+, will be completely shut down by November 7, 2024, the company confirmed on the official FAQ page for Verizon Messages. Even before the day of shutdown, several features of the app will stop functioning as Verizon has confirmed that it has already begun the process of shutting down the app starting October 2, 2024.AdvertisementOnce Verizon shuts down the Message+ app, people will no longer be able to use it to send and receive text messages. The app, which boasted a message scheduling feature, will not be able to send texts scheduled to be sent after November 7. The shutdown of the app also means that it will be removed from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Signing up for Verizon Message+ also gave users access to an email address that ended with the @vmtext.com. These email addresses are also part of the shutdown process, and they will also cease to function once Message+ is discontinued.It is pertinent to note that Verizon Messages wasn't limited to just Verizon customers — anyone with a U.S. mobile number and a compatible smartphone (iOS and Android) could use the app. While the vast majority of iPhone users are hooked on iMessage, for the handful of Android users using it as their primary text messaging app, the shutdown of Verizon Message+ means moving to an entirely new text messaging app.Advertisement Verizon recommends Android users switch

To Google Messages Sharaf Maksumov/Shutterstock The decision to shut down Verizon Message+ couldn't have come at a better time for Google, which has been promoting its own messaging app — Google Messages — as the text messaging tool of choice for Android users for a while now. In fact, Verizon has also recommended Google Messages as their app of choice as a viable alternative to Verizon Message+ for Android smartphones. As a part of this change, all Verizon-branded Android smartphones will now come preloaded with Google Messages.AdvertisementWhile this move will undoubtedly help Google Messages gain a small number of users from Verizon, there is no denying that the biggest win for Google Messages came after Apple, earlier this year, agreed to opt for Rich Communications Services (RCS). This was a long-demanded move that would let iMessage users seamlessly text with Android smartphone users without losing out on helpful features like reading receipts, typing notifications, and sharing multimedia content.RCS text messaging facility rolled out to iOS users as part of the iOS 18 update, which coincided with the launch of the iPhone 16 series in September 2024.For existing Verizon Message+ users, the switch to Google Messages is a straightforward process. All they need to do is go to the Google Play Store, search for Google Messages, and download and install the app. On the setup screen for Google Messages, users will be prompted to select the app as the default SMS app. With Google Messaging supporting almost all the features that Message+ came with, getting used to the new app will only be a matter of time.Advertisement

Summary US cellular provider Verizon is discontinuing its Message+ texting app on November 7. The company recommends that its Android users transition to Google Messages, and that its iPhone users switch to Apple Messages. Here's how to switch off of Message+ in advance of the aforementioned discontinuation date. Not long ago, major US cellular carrier Verizon announced its intent to shut down its Message+ texting service. The app is still listed on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, but the company is urging users to transition to an alternative soon rather than later.The Verizon Message+ discontinuation began in earnest on October 2, with a full shut down slated for November 7. The company recommends Android users switch to the Google Messages app, and that iPhone users migrate to the built-in iOS Apple Messages app. Related Verizon says it has resolved its massive service outage after a full day of disruption Verizon still hasn't said what caused the issue, but service has been restored for most. The Verizon Message+ discontinuation comes at a time in which Rich Communications Service (RCS) support is growing in both popularity and reach. This newer texting standard is safer and more feature-rich than the old-school Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) protocols."The message space is rapidly changing and we want you to have the best messaging experience,' says Verizon on its official support page. Related SMS is dying -- here's what's taking its place Google Messages and Apple iMessage both support RCS -- but what is it, and why could it become the new standard? How to transition away from Verizon's Message+ app You'll want to switch to an alternative texting app before November 7 hits If you have a Verizon Android phone, follow these steps to migrate off

Now Prepay Customers Have Access to V CAST Music, VZ Navigator and More Verizon Wireless today announced new INpulse prepay plans designed to fit customers’ lifestyles – from the occasional to the most frequent caller – with rates as low as 2 cents per minute for voice calls and text messages. The new plans, INpulse Core, INpulse Plus and INpulse Power, charge customers a daily access fee only on the days of use and include Unlimited IN Calling to Verizon Wireless customers nationwide. Customers may select any of the new plans beginning November 1. All of the new INpulse plans provide customers with many of the same service options enjoyed by Verizon Wireless customers who sign annual contracts. Key to the new plans is the ability of customers to pair the service with V CAST-capable phones and purchase over-the-air directly from their handsets any of the 2.1 million songs in the V CAST Music library. They can also purchase Ringtones, Ringback tones, Mobile Web 2.0SM, games and other applications, such as VZ NavigatorSM using funds in their INpulse accounts. “The changes in our INpulse prepay service are in response to customers who want to enjoy the features and benefits of Verizon Wireless service without making a long-term commitment,” said Jeff Dietel, vice president marketing for Verizon Wireless. “These changes make prepay service more robust than ever and provide calling options that give customers access to the best of the best of Verizon Wireless services – and the nation’s most reliable network.” The new INpulse plans are as follows: INpulse CoreDaily Access (charged only on days the service is used) – 99 cents Unlimited IN Calling (calls may be made to or received from any Verizon Wireless phone) – Unlimited Night Minutes (valid for calls from 9:01 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Sunday through Saturday) – 10 cents Per Minute & Text Messaging Rates (valid for calls from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Saturday) – 10 centsINpulse PlusDaily Access (charged only on days the service is used) – $1.99 Unlimited IN Calling (calls may be made to or received from any Verizon Wireless phone) – Unlimited Night Minutes (valid for calls from 9:01 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Sunday through Saturday) – Unlimited Per Minute & Text Messaging Rates (valid for calls from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Saturday) – 5 centsINpulse PowerDaily Access (charged only on days the service is used) – $2.99 Unlimited IN Calling (calls may be made to or received from any Verizon Wireless phone) – Unlimited Night Minutes (valid for calls from 9:01 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Sunday through Saturday) – Unlimited Per Minute & Text Messaging Rates (valid for calls from 6:00 a.m.