Researchers at Analysys Mason forecast that Direct-to-Device (D2D) revenues will double year on year to 2030, as satellite connectivity becomes embedded in mainstream mobile networks. “Ten years ago, the satellite communications sector lagged well behind mainstream telecoms in maturity and development. Then, in December 2015, SpaceX returned a booster to its launch pad for the […]
SWISSto12 has announced a major contract with German high-performance space subsystem providers HPS/LSS. The Munich-based consortium will provide a large deployable reflector subsystem (LDRS) for the NEASTAR-1 mission, built on HummingSat, enabling the world’s first direct-to-device media broadcasting capabilities from geostationary orbit. The German-led antenna reflector subsystem is the result of more than 15 years of development […]
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 […]
Ookla has analysed the rapid emergence of the direct-to-device (D2D) satellite market in the UK. Following Virgin Media O2’s launch of O2 Satellite in February, the UK has jumped from a negligible presence to become the world’s third-largest D2D market by unique-user count, trailing only the US and Australia. Key takeaways include: The UK has […]
Following the news that direct-to-device (D2D) LEO vendor AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite, launched on Blue Origin’s launch vehicle, failed to reach correct low-Earth orbit position and is in the process of being decommissioned; Ismail Patel, Senior Analyst in Enterprise Technology at GlobalData – the intelligence and productivity platform – has shared his views: “BB7 […]
Ookla has analysed the Direct-to-Device (D2D) industry, based on Speedtest Intelligence data from July 2025 to March 2026. “Just a few years ago, the idea that a smartphone could connect to a satellite seemed more science fiction than technological possibility. But now, such connections are not only possible, they’re popping up in a growing number […]
Viasat, a specialist in satellite communications, has published a report which shows rising urgency among decision-makers to adopt Direct-to-Device (D2D) IoT devices within their organisations. The report – The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Industrial IoT – was conducted by Vanson Bourne and surveyed 600 IoT decision-makers from five major industries: agriculture, energy, transport and […]
Luxembourg-based OQ Technology, which is specialising in European IoT and direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity provider, and holding 60 MHz of MSS S-band spectrum rights, has certified Nordic Semiconductor’s low-power nRF9151 cellular IoT chipset for use on its 3GPP-compliant NTN network. This follows on from the end-to-end connectivity tests to an OQ Low Earth Orbit (LEO) […]
The race to bring satellite calls and texts to ordinary smartphones has begun, after UK comms regulator Ofcom announced its final decisions about how the technology can be rolled out. Mobile operators are now joining with satellite companies to deliver ‘direct-to-device services’ to everyday smartphones up and down the UK. This involves satellites hundreds of […]
Viasat, a specialist in satellite communications, has published a report revealing that rising demand for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity could open new revenue streams for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) — while posing a significant competitive challenge. The report – The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Consumer Mobile – was conducted by GSMA Intelligence and surveyed more than 12,000 […]