Would-be international satellite direct-to-device business Lynk Global has won a modification to its existing operating licence from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Luxembourg-based SES has an investment position with Lynk.

“We want to thank the FCC for quickly granting our licence modification to provide service in the United States. Lynk previously received the world’s first commercial license for international satellite D2D service. This modification to our FCC license enables Lynk to launch commercial services to connect this critical area within the US with our partner, DOCOMO Pacific,” said Amy Mehlman, EVP and Chief Global Affairs Officer of Lynk.  “This is incredibly exciting for Lynk to be the second direct-to-device provider licensed for commercial service in the US. We are taking great strides on our mission to connect everyone, everywhere, and this approval demonstrates our progress on our strategic roadmap, enabling Lynk and our trusted partner, Docomo, to provide services in parts of the country that are underserved or out of reach from conventional mobile networks.”

Lynk’s technology enables MNOs to provide their subscribers with connections from space for their unmodified mobile devices, enabling messaging, voice and data services designed for both commercial and government applications. Lynk’s technology has been tested and proven on all seven continents, and the Company is partnered with 50 MNOs and has commercial contracts to deliver services to approximately 60 countries.

In April, Lynk Global announced that MTN South Africa, in partnership with Lynk, has successfully conducted Africa’s first satellite-to-mobile phone call, and claimed as a groundbreaking development. The test involved making a voice call using a standard smartphone connected via a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.

Lynk builds, launches, and operates ‘cell-tower-in-space’ satellites that provide direct-to-device connectivity with continuous global coverage. Lynk says that anyone who has a mobile phone already in their pocket could stay connected everywhere, and Lynk gives coverage to the over 1 billion people who currently do not own a mobile phone due to lack of reliable service.

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Categories: Articles, Mobile

Tags: DOCOMO, FCC, lynk, mobile