KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US
UNITED STATES 02:52

KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have begun international roaming support for their au Starlink Direct satellite-to-smartphone service in the United States from 4 March 2026. The operators said the launch represents the first cross-border roaming connection for direct satellite communications between smartphones and Starlink satellites. Initially, the service is supported on selected Google Pixel devices, with additional models expected to be added later.

Taiwan Mobile, AST SpaceMobile partner on LEO satellite communication services
TAIWAN 3 MRT

Taiwan Mobile, AST SpaceMobile partner on LEO satellite communication services

Taiwan Mobile has signed a cooperation deal for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication services with AST SpaceMobile, the company building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones. Taiwan Mobile expects this collaboration to promote the synergistic operation of 'space base station' technology and existing mobile networks in Taiwan, accelerate the implementation of an integrated satellite-terrestrial communication architecture, and strengthen ubiquitous conn

Vodafone Ukraine signs MoU for mobile satellite services with AST SpaceMobile
UKRAINE 3 MRT

Vodafone Ukraine signs MoU for mobile satellite services with AST SpaceMobile

Vodafone Ukraine said that it has signed a memorandum on understanding with the company AST SpaceMobile to work on the launch of mobile satellite services across the country. The agreement was signed during MWC Barcelona. While no launch date was given, Vodafone Ukraine said it plans to offer a full satellite broadband service over the low-orbit satellites from AST SpaceMobile, supporting its strategy for resilient services throughout the country. It will work with AST SpaceMobile on the commercial launch,

Sunrise partners Satellite Connect Europe to try D2D services
SWITZERLAND 3 MRT

Sunrise partners Satellite Connect Europe to try D2D services

Swiss operator Sunrise is partnering with Satellite Connect Europe to assess the latter's direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity service, and how it could improve 4G and 5G coverage in Switzerland. The partners will test whether smartphones seamlessly transition from mobile to satellite signals in areas with limited or no coverage. Satellite Connect Europe is the joint venture set up by Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile for D2D services which is partnering also with other European mobile network operators

Android rolls out carrier onboarding support for RCS messaging, eSIM and satellite
GLOBAL 3 MRT

Android rolls out carrier onboarding support for RCS messaging, eSIM and satellite

Google's Android unit has announced the launch of the Android Network Ready programme. Android Network Ready was created to help eligible mobile carriers and virtual network operators (MVNOs) offer premium Android services and experiences to their customers right after they have purchased a new Android handset. The platform is built on a GSMA-aligned entitlement infrastructure used to automate and digitise customer onboarding, providing a standards-compliant process to streamline carrier rollouts of advance

IEC Telecom launches operations in Malaysia as authorized Starlink reseller
MALAYSIA 3 MRT

IEC Telecom launches operations in Malaysia as authorized Starlink reseller

IEC Telecom has officially launched its office in Malaysia, marking the expansion of its enterprise connectivity services across Southeast Asia. IEC Telecom Malaysia introduces enterprise-grade Starlink-powered services designed to boost last-mile connectivity. The company will deliver integrated customised satellite communication services for sectors such as energy, maritime, government, logistics, and remote enterprise operations.

Deutsche Telekom to offer new Starlink D2D service in Europe from 2028
EUROPE 3 MRT

Deutsche Telekom to offer new Starlink D2D service in Europe from 2028

Deutsche Telekom is partnering with Starlink to expand mobile coverage with the latter's direct-to-device satellite services. Telekom, which already works with Starlink on the services in the US, said it expects to have the D2D services available in ten European countries by 2028. The company will cover particularly challenging areas, for example due to nature conservation requirements or demanding topography, with Starlink's V2 next-generation mobile technology, to enable compatible smartphones to connect

VodafoneThree to start satellite service trials in summer 2026
UNITED KINGDOM 3 MRT

VodafoneThree to start satellite service trials in summer 2026

VodafoneThree will start customer trials of a new direct-to-device satellite connectivity service in summer 2026. This follows the milestone of completing its first video call over satellite in January 2025, connecting directly to a LEO Bluebird satellite operated by AST SpaceMobile from a rural Wales locations with no mobile phone signal.

Satellite direct-to-device market to be worth USD 12 billion in 2030 - Omdia
GLOBAL 3 MRT

Satellite direct-to-device market to be worth USD 12 billion in 2030 - Omdia

The global satellite direct-to-device (D&D) services market is projected to reach 411 million monthly active users and generate USD 11.99 billion in revenue by 2030, Omdia forecasts. This represents mean annual growth rates of 80.1 percent for users and 49.4 percent for revenue from 2026 to 2030.

SES and Advannotech take part in agricultural IoT project
SOUTH AFRICA 3 MRT

SES and Advannotech take part in agricultural IoT project

SES, IoT technology provider Advannotech and other organisations are taking part in a scheme under Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN) for young farmers. It applies technology to tackle food insecurity and economic growth through a climate-smart training farm in Centurion, South Africa. Using IoT over satellite and LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) sensors, it monitors soil moisture and temperature, water levels, and environmental factors such as light, carbon dioxide, humidity and air temperat

Vodafone, Satellite Connect Europe to test D2D satellite connectivity services in Romania
ROMANIA 3 MRT

Vodafone, Satellite Connect Europe to test D2D satellite connectivity services in Romania

Vodafone Romania has announced its collaboration with Satellite Connect Europe to test direct to device (D2D) satellite connectivity services in Romania in the summer of 2026. Vodafone Romania and Satellite Connect Europe are collaborating for the future implementation of the new satellite technology, with trial exercises of the services to start in Romania in the coming months.

Ceva launches 5G Advanced NTN modem IP for LEO and MEO user terminals
GLOBAL 3 MRT

Ceva launches 5G Advanced NTN modem IP for LEO and MEO user terminals

Ceva has introduced PentaG-NTN, a 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks modem IP subsystem designed for satellite user terminals operating on low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellations. Announced at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, the subsystem is based on Ceva's third-generation PentaG 5G Advanced modem platform.

KAZAKHSTAN 2 MRT

Freedom Holding transfers satellite unit to another subsidiary

Kazakh telecommunications holding company Freedom Holding Corporation has transferred its unit Freedom Satellite to its subsidiary Freedom Cloud Holding. It previously operated within the telecom division as part of Freedom Telecom Holding Ltd. As part of the transformation, Freedom Satellite will focus on developing hybrid satellite telecom products including IoT platforms, acting as a system integrator for infrastructure projects for corporate and government clients. The separation aims to enhance operati

GLOBAL 2 MRT

SES expects stable FY revenue and EBITDA after negative organic growth in 2025

Satellite operator SES is guiding for stable organic performance in both revenue and EBITDA for the whole of 2026. In 2025, combined like-for-like revenues across SES and Intelsat decreased by 1.6 percent year-on-year to EUR 3.51 billion, while adjusted EBITDA fell by 12.1 percent to EUR 1.53 billion. Capex amounted to EUR 700 million annually and should now remain broadly unchanged in 2026 including spend on the meoSphere programme and Europe's Iris2 project, compared with the previous forecast of approxim

ITALY 2 MRT

CK Hutchison to partner with Satellite Connect Europe on D2D rollout

Satellite Connect Europe, the Luxembourg-based "SatCo" joint venture between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone, has confirmed a deal with CK Hutchison to explore the rollout of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite mobile broadband in its European markets. In a statement, Satellite Connect Europe said CK Hutchison has committed to deploy D2D services in five markets - Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden – with testing due to begin in Austria (under the Drei brand) and Italy (WindTre) this coming summer.

UNITED STATES 2 MRT

EchoStar grows mobile revenues, loses pay-TV income in Q4

Echostar reported higher revenues and smaller losses from its mobile business in Q4 2025, despite little growth in customer numbers. It ended the year with 7.51 million mobile subscribers, down by 9,000 compared to September. The pay-TV base at Dish also continued to shrink, with 168,000 subscribers lost in Q4 for a total 7.00 million. The group also took a large writedown of USD 1.2 billion on the value of its HughsNet satellite broadband business following the restructuring of its spectrum holdings in the

EUROPE 2 MRT

Open Cosmos unveils ConnectedCosmos LEO network

European space infrastructure company Open Cosmos announced at Mobile World Congress the launch of ConnectedCosmos, a low Earth orbit satellite constellation designed to deliver secure communications and operational resilience to public and private sectors worldwide. The Ka-band network aims to reduce reliance on non-European mega-constellations and link Open Cosmos' Earth Observation platform with a new sovereign connectivity backbone for real-time data access.

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Cubic3, Skylo unveil automotive connectivity solution at MWC

Cubic3 and Skylo Technologies have announced the first automotive-focused connectivity solution in the world which combines cellular and satellite communications in a single SIM, delivering global coverage and validated for commercial deployments. The solution was unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, and will help vehicles stay connected where there is no traditional mobile network coverage. 

MEXICO 2 MRT

Televisa Q4 revenue down 4.5% to MXN 14.5 bln, cancels dividend

Mexican broadcaster and telecommunications operator Grupo Televisa reported revenues of MXN 14.5 billion in the final quarter of 2025, down 4.5 percent year on year due mainly to steep subscriber losses at its Sky-branded satellite TV unit, which posted a 16.8 percent slump in revenues. Fourth-quarter operating income increased by 6.1 percent year on year to MXN 5.9 billion, with a 40.9 percent margin, thanks to efficiency measures and Opex reductions.

EUROPE 2 MRT

GSMA and ESA launch EUR 100 mln fund to boost AI, 6G and space-mobile innovation

GSMA Foundry and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced new funding worth up to EUR 100 million to drive innovation at the intersection of mobile and space industries. The financial commitment, provided by ESA, aims to accelerate projects in artificial intelligence for non-terrestrial networks (AI x NTN), direct-to-device (D2D) communications, 5G/6G hubs and early-stage 6G technologies.

INDONESIA 2 MRT

Telkomsel to deploy Aalto HAPS service in Indonesia from 2027

Aalto HAPS, an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates and will deliver services using Zephyr, has signed a partnership agreement with Indonesian operator Telkomsel at Mobile World Congress Barcelona. Under the terms of the deal, Aalto and Telkomsel plan to jointly develop initial Zephyr operations from 2027. The two partners will co-operate across commercial, technical and regulatory domains with the aim to enable demonstration flights in 2027 and full commercial entry-into-service from 2028 onwards.

EUROPE 2 MRT

Orange to expand D2D satellite services with AST-Vodafone venture

Orange has signed MoU agreements with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe to bring D2D (Direct-to-Device) satellite services to more markets, following its partnership with Skylo in France. Satellite Connect Europe, the Luxembourg-based "SatCo" joint venture between AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone, has recently confirmed plans for five European ground stations to support its open access D2D connectivity offering for MNOs, powered by AST SpaceMobile's low Earth orbit constellation. Orange said that a f

SPAIN 2 MRT

Telefonica and Satellite Connect Europe to test D2D satellite services

Telefonica has joined forces with the Vodafone Group's Luxembourg-based Satellite Connect Europe to assess the potential of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity for users in Spain and Germany. The collaboration aims to test how satellite-enabled services could support consumers, businesses and public institutions, expanding access to communications where terrestrial networks face limitations, said the partners.

AFRICA 2 MRT

Vodafone to use Amazon Leo for mobile backhaul in Europe, Africa

Vodafone announced an agreement with Amazon Leo to use the low Earth orbit satellite network to provide services for its customers in Europe and Africa. The network is expected to support backhaul to 4G and 5G mobile sites in remote areas, helping improve coverage for its mobile customers.

Just In

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Background

1 MRT 13:21

The week in telecoms: Paramount tops bidding for WBD, Samsung S26 kicks off MWC showcase

23 FEB 00:28

The week in telecoms: Liberty Global tackles cable vs fibre question, Orange promises dividends and MEA market goes wholesale

16 FEB 00:17

The week in telecoms: Cisco rides AI investment wave and European telcos invest in South America

9 FEB 01:54

The week in telecoms: hyperscalers vie for capex crown, Telenor and Vodafone profit from smaller footprints