Satellite direct to device (D2D) connectivity is moving from concept to early commercialisation in Europe, according to research from Omdia. While the market remains at an early stage, momentum is building: as of March 2026, 22 per cent of European mobile network operators have launched, are trialing, or have announced D2D satellite partnerships. This level of activity signals growing confidence that D2D will become an important component of future mobile service portfolios.

“European telcos have started to integrate D2D satellite into their mobile portfolios,” commented Julia Schindler, Principal Analyst, Service Provider Strategy, at Omdia. “Operators that use this early phase to test technology, form partnerships, and understand customer demand will be better positioned for a 6G future in which terrestrial and non terrestrial networks are deeply integrated.”

Commercial D2D services in Europe are currently limited to messaging and basic data, constraining near term monetization opportunities. As a result, most operators are positioning D2D as a coverage and resilience enhancer rather than a standalone revenue driver. Typical approaches include bundling D2D capabilities into premium mobile tiers or offering them as paid add ons, similar to international roaming. While the market is still at a very early stage, Omdia believes now is the optimal time for operators to experiment with the technology, secure strategic partnerships, and refine go to market models before broader adoption turns D2D into a more commoditised service.

European operators are largely converging on D2D solutions that enable unmodified smartphones to connect directly to satellites using existing mobile technologies. This approach offers the most scalable pathway and allows for tighter integration with established mobile offerings and billing systems.

“While Starlink has enabled the fastest path to early deployment, sovereignty and control are becoming increasingly important drivers for alternative partner selection,” Schindler continued. “Many European telcos are deliberately pursuing multi vendor strategies to preserve flexibility and reduce long term dependency as D2D becomes part of critical national infrastructure.” Alternative providers, such as Satellite Connect Europe, are becoming increasingly attractive as operators diversify their partner ecosystem.

Despite this progress, regulatory uncertainty and spectrum availability remain the primary barriers to broader commercial rollouts, with regulatory readiness varying significantly by country. Nevertheless, Omdia expects today’s D2D trials and commercial services to play a critical role in preparing operators for the 6G era, when non‑terrestrial networks are expected to be natively embedded into terrestrial networks.

“D2D capabilities are limited today, but their strategic importance for the future should not be underestimated,” Schindler concluded.

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Categories: 5G, Articles, Equipment, Markets, Mobile, Research, Satellite

Tags: 5G, 6G, d2d, Omdia, satellite