Skylo Expands Collaboration with Garmin to Bring Satellite Connectivity to New fēnix®8 Pro Smartwatches

Groundbreaking integration brings direct-to-satellite messaging and emergency SOS messaging to your wrist 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Skylo Technologies, the leader in direct-to-device satellite connectivity, today announced the next phase of its technology collaboration with Garmin, enabling satellite-powered messaging¹ and SOS messaging directly from the new fēnix^® 8 Pro multisport smartwatches — no smartphone required.

This marks a breakthrough in satellite connectivity: users can stay connected from their wrist — whether they're deep in the backcountry or on a neighborhood trail with a spotty signal. With Skylo's standards-based satellite network integrated directly into fēnix 8 Pro smartwatches, users in the noncontiguous US, Canada and Europe can send and receive text messages and share live GPS coordinates.

The Garmin fēnix 8 Pro will be powered by Skylo's commercially available satellite network service that allows users to connect with Garmin Response(SM) emergency coordination center to send and receive text messages about the nature of the emergency, and automatically share GPS location data to assist in the response effort. Garmin Response will coordinate with the appropriate emergency services team once an SOS message is received. Users can also send text messages to friends, family, and other contacts directly from their fēnix 8 Pro, or alternatively, via the Garmin Messenger application running on a paired smartphone.

This launch builds on the existing strategic collaboration between Garmin and Skylo which has utilized Garmin Response emergency coordination services to connect users of select Skylo connected devices to the help they need through a vast global network of law enforcement agencies, emergency services providers, search and rescue professionals, embassies, coast guards, and more. This 24/7-staffed emergency monitoring and global rescue coordination service routes messages worldwide, helping people in need reach emergency services nearly every day.  From hikers lost in the wilderness to travelers involved in car accidents on isolated roads and people with health issues in suburban areas without terrestrial coverage, this collaboration has meaningfully impacted people's lives when they needed it most.  

"This is what satellite connectivity should feel like — seamless, invisible, available when you need it," said Tarun Gupta, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Skylo Technologies. "We're proud to help Garmin unlock a new category of devices that are lighter, smarter, and connected when it matters most. Whether you're scaling peaks or hiking on trails, Skylo helps keep Garmin customers connected – even far from cellular coverage."

With this collaboration, Garmin becomes one of the first major smartwatch brands to adopt open standards-based satellite connectivity — a shift that underscores a broader trend away from proprietary satellite hardware toward scalable, integrated experiences. Now, with fēnix® 8 Pro, the peace of mind previously available only with handheld satellite communicators is built into the watch you wear every day.

Skylo's embrace of 3GPP standards-based protocols allows connected products to incorporate satellite technology using the economies of scale available in the broader cellular industry. Skylo's satellite connectivity is available in 36 countries around the world and spans 60 million sq. km. of coverage. 

"Garmin is proud to team up with Skylo to deliver our proven SOS service to the fēnix 8 Pro smartwatch. Our professionally trained Garmin Response emergency response coordinators have supported thousands of SOS incidents across every continent for almost two decades, helping connect adventurers and their loved ones to potentially life-saving help when they need it the most," said Brad Trenkle, Garmin co-Chief Operating Officer. 

Skylo's service requires no additional antennas or external hardware, leveraging chipsets already found in today's leading consumer devices. It's part of Skylo's broader mission to bring direct-to-device connectivity to a billion devices — not in some far-off future, but today.

Shipping Sept. 8, fēnix 8 Pro smartwatches from Garmin will be available at select Garmin retailers and online at www.garmin.com.

About Skylo
Skylo Technologies is a global Non-Terrestrial Network service provider based in Mountain View, CA, offering a service that allows smartphones, wearables, automobiles, and IoT cellular devices to connect directly over existing satellites. Devices connected over satellite are managed and served by Skylo's commercial NTN vRAN, featuring a 3GPP standards-based cloud-native base station and core. Skylo works with existing satellite operators, network operators, and device makers to provide subscribers an anywhere, anytime connectivity solution between terrestrial and satellite networks. Skylo's focus is on enabling connected services for people outdoors and connected workflows for machines at work across critical industries such as agriculture, maritime, logistics, mining, and others, in addition to mass-market consumer devices. For more information, visit www.skylo.tech.

About Garmin
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminoutdoor on social, or follow our blog

¹ Active subscription required; satellite connectivity is not available in all countries. Check Garmin.com/fenix8ProCoverage for requirements and to see which services are accessible in your area. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is  the user's responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

SOURCE Skylo