Vodafone’s CEO Margherita Della Valle received the first direct-to-device (D2D) satellite videocall, sent from a smartphone in the Welsh mountains, where there was no network signal. The call used AST SpaceMobile LEO satellites, which provide transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps, and relied on the IMS framework, a global standard to deliver IP multimedia services. Vodafone plans to introduce D2D broadband satellite services commercially in markets across Europe later in 2025/2026. Meanwhile, Orange has unveiled a new EU-backed satellite project in the Wallis and Futuna Islands, and T-Mobile US and Starlink have announced they are closing in on a commercial D2D launch.
The announcements highlight the growing momentum and rapid developments in the D2D space. After SMS and calls, broadband services are the logical and widely expected next step for D2D. For telcos, the ability to offer reliable voice, data and video services via satellite can offer new revenue streams and improve service delivery in remote regions. The GSMA Intelligence Satellite and NTN Tracker highlights that nearly 100 telecoms operators, representing 70% of the mobile market by connections, have formed over 130 partnerships with satellite providers.
T-Mobile US, Starlink close in on commercial D2D launch
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