Orange has activated its Message Satellite offering in France, enabling users to send and receive text messages via satellite when terrestrial coverage is unavailable

Orange has launched Message Satellite, a direct-to-device (D2D) messaging service that allows mobile customers to exchange SMS and location information using satellites when they are out of range of mobile or Wi-Fi networks. The service, which went live in mainland France on 11 December, is positioned as a complementary connectivity layer for users in remote or coverage-challenged environments. 

The service is being introduced through a partnership with Skylo Technologies, the US non-terrestrial network specialist that uses mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum from EchoStar and Viasat-Inmarsat satellites. Initially available – albeit limited – to Orange’s 5G and 5G+ customers with a compatible Google Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 handset, Message Satellite will be free for the first six months before a €5 per month fee applies. 

According to Orange, the rollout will be followed by support for additional devices and extensions to voice and limited data capabilities. The operator has published a consumer-focused page with all of the technical specifications.

Although Orange has a long-standing partnership with Eutelsat-OneWeb, the operator pointed out at the time of the Skylo launch announcement in November that Eutelsat-OneWeb doesn’t have a direct to device service and will not have one in the short term. In the United States, Verizon uses Skylo’s technologies, and elsewhere in Europe, Deutsche Telekom established a partnership with the satellite company in September.

Orange said that the service extends beyond France and covers 36 countries where the satellite footprint reaches, including much of Europe, North America and Australia. The operator noted that the offering is particularly relevant for people in isolated areas such as mountainous regions or at sea, and that it could be of use in business segments such as logistics and transport. 

At the time of the launch announcement in November, Orange France CEO Jérôme Hénique described the service as addressing the basic need to remain reachable when conventional networks are unavailable. He said the option “strengthens service continuity for our customers, wherever they are” and positioned the launch as demonstrating Orange’s leadership in network innovation. 

Orange Wholesale CEO Michaël Trabbia added that the D2D technology forms part of the operator’s broader strategy of combining multiple technologies to meet customer connectivity needs. 

Sovereign service? 

Using a US satellite provider, even out of necessity, suggests European sovereign D2D may still be waiting for IRIS2 in the long run. Operators need to test the waters before so they can figure out service wraps for such services. 

No doubt, Orange newly appointed chief trust officer Guillaume Poupard will have one eye on the new Message Satellite service when he joins on 1 February given the sovereignty conundrum. Reporting to CEO Christel Heydemann, Poupard will take responsibility for defining and embodying Orange’s strategy on sovereignty and trust. 

Working in collaboration with Orange Business and Orange Cyberdefense, he will help accelerate the development of “innovative offers in cybersecurity” (both on the B2C and B2B markets) and trusted cloud and AI solutions. 

With a degree in weapons engineering and a PhD in cryptology, Orange said Poupard is a recognised expert in cybersecurity. Former Director General of the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) from 2014 to 2022, he currently serves as deputy CEO of Docaposte, the subsidiary of La Poste Group overseeing digital technologies including cybersecurity, AI and cloud computing.