Skylo, a Silicon Valley startup, has raised $30 million to broaden the reach of its satellite connectivity services for standard smartphones. This funding round brings Skylo's total funding to approximately $183 million since its inception in 2017. The company aims to facilitate texting and low-bandwidth services in areas lacking cellular coverage.
The funding will support the deployment of necessary network hardware at geostationary operator gateways, enabling connections for compatible smartphones using current cellular standards, including the Google Pixel 9 Series. Skylo currently offers commercial services in 35 countries across five continents, recently expanding into Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand through a partnership with Viasat.
Skylo plans to invest in market expansion, increasing its geographical presence, and strengthening its product, sales, and marketing teams. The company is also exploring extending its satellite connectivity to wearables and other connected devices. NGP Capital led the latest funding round, with participation from Westly Group and existing investors such as Intel Capital, BMW i Ventures, and Samsung Catalyst Fund.
Several companies, including SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global, are also developing direct-to-smartphone services, utilizing low Earth orbit constellations to connect a broader range of smartphones.