What are direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services?

D2D services provide satellite connectivity to mass-market mobile handsets. The services are also known as direct-to-cell (D2C) or direct-to-handset (D2H) services.

Cullen International recently published research on the regulatory frameworks for D2D in the Americas and in Europe.

D2D services can be provided in spectrum bands currently used by terrestrial 4G or 5G networks or in spectrum bands already allocated to mobile satellite services (MSS).

New regulatory questions arise when bands that are currently allocated to terrestrial mobile services (international mobile telecommunications, IMT) will be opened to satellite services.

When services use bands already allocated to MSS, they do not need new regulation, but end users would need new handsets that operate in those bands.

Do current mobile licences allow satellite use?

No. In all researched countries, current mobile licences do not allow satellite use.

The United States and Canada adopted a regulatory framework to license satellite operators to provide supplemental coverage in cooperation with a terrestrial mobile network.

Other countries in the Americas, including Brazil and Chile, are preparing a regulatory framework.

In Europe, the United Kingdom plans to facilitate D2D services in 2026. Authorities of the member states of the European Union cooperate at European level to develop a harmonised regulatory framework for D2D.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plans to discuss the availability of radio spectrum for D2D at the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27).

Are D2D services commercially available?

Commercial D2D satellite services that use IMT spectrum bands with mass-market handsets are available in Canada and the United States.

At the current stage, these services support mainly messaging with low bandwidth demand like SMS or WhatsApp.

In several countries covered by our research, mobile operators conducted tests or trials or announced partnership agreements with satellite operators.

Some newer high-end smartphones provide emergency SOS services via satellite. These services are not covered by our research. They use MSS spectrum bands and are available in many countries without needing specific new regulation.

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Subscribers to our services find more information:

• in our Americas Spectrum service, with a new Benchmark on the regulatory conditions for D2D services in terrestrial IMT bands, covering 11 countries;
• in our Europe Spectrum service, with a new Benchmark on the regulatory conditions for D2D services in terrestrial IMT bands, covering 21 countries;
• in our Europe Telecoms service, with a new Tracker on the regulation of satellite connectivity at the EU level, including D2D, the planned IRIS² satellite constellation, the 2 GHz MSS spectrum band and the EU preparations for WRC-27. Read more 

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