Unlike technically proven (FSS-band) LEO-HTS satcom constellations requiring communication terminals, these new initiatives aim to deliver on the promise of direct satellite-to-regular-handset communications through cellular and MSS spectrum in areas unreachable by existing cell towers. Yet, architectural facets drive a wide set of capabilities ranging from asynchronous emergency texting to continuous voice and broadband data connectivity.
Lynk Global, a Falls Church, Virginia-based startup that aims to connect its satellites to cell phones to provide cellular service in remote areas, signed a deal with BICS, a wholesale provider of cellular voice and data services. Northern Sky Research (NSR) recently predicted that the direct satellite-to-device market has the potential to generate $66.8 billion.
Today’s iPhones and Androids cannot communicate directly with satellites in space. Instead, they must connect to nearby cell towers on the ground. But that may soon change. A large range of companies – from tiny startups to some of the biggest corporations on Earth – are racing each other to connect regular smartphones directly to.
T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a technology partnership to develop Direct Satellite-to-Smartphone connectivity and offer ubiquitous coverage and network resiliency. This will be an innovative additional feature for the network, but how real is this market opportunity? What are the technology enablers/challenges? Will this cannibalize telco/satellite revenues? Who is ahead in this race? While this is.
In the last decade, the launch market has shifted considerably from SpaceX delivering on its promise of high cadence reusable launch and rideshare programs becoming the norm, while more innovative approaches on hundred launchers have been in development. Yet, launch remains the industry’s bottleneck. SLS has been delayed, pushing Artemis & NASA’s ambition to the.