UK comms regulator Ofcom is seeking views on the potential for satellites, aircraft and other airborne platforms to improve mobile coverage, and the implications for how it manages any associated spectrum needs.

Most people depend on mobile networks that use masts on the ground to transmit signals to their phone, but mobile satellite services are also available for a niche group of users including ships and aircraft who cannot rely on terrestrial networks.

Advances in technology mean that receiving a mobile signal from satellites in space could soon become much more common, delivering connections to ordinary smartphones and other devices. Similar services could also be delivered from unmanned aircraft. These Direct to Device (D2D) services could bring mobile coverage to hard-to-reach places, and back-up options during outages on traditional networks.

This could create new demands on radio spectrum, which is a limited resource. Accordingly, Ofcom is considering how it could support innovation and the growth of new D2D services, as well as enabling the expansion and evolution of existing mobile satellite services, while ensuring that spectrum is used efficiently.

Ofcom is therefore seeking views on:

• interest in offering direct to device services that are delivered by satellites or airborne platforms;
• the demand for spectrum to support these services;
• how new technological developments could improve spectrum sharing amongst D2D services and with other users;
• and potential demand for spectrum for existing, or developing, mobile satellite services.

The Call for Input will close on September 13th, 2024, and Ofcom plans to publish an update later this year setting out its next steps.

Other posts by :

1. Italy joins Germany in IRIS2 alternate thoughts
2. Kazakhstan to create museum at Yuri Gagarin launch site
3. AST SpaceMobile gets $42 or $1500 price target
4. Analyst: GEO bloodbath taking place
5. SES AGM results: Appaloosa still objecting
6. SpaceX’s Shotwell worth $1.2bn
7. SpinLaunch’s revolutionary plan for 280 satellites
8. Consolidation impacts satellite sector
9. Project Kuiper plans first satellite launch

Categories: Articles, Broadband, Business, Mobile, Policy, Regulation, Satellite, Spectrum

Tags: d2d, Ofcom, satellite, spectrum