The GSMA has published a public policy paper offering governments essential guidance on spectrum regulation for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services.
D2D connects ordinary mobile handsets directly to satellites, improving network resilience and extending coverage beyond terrestrial mobile networks. Below are the main takeaways that regulators, operators, and industry stakeholders need to know.
# Support Innovation While Protecting Mobile Networks
Governments must ensure D2D operations prevent harmful interference with existing mobile services, safeguarding the 5.8 billion global mobile users who depend on stable connectivity.
# Leverage Mobile (IMT) Spectrum Through MNO Licences
D2D services using IMT spectrum should operate under mobile network operator (MNO) licences, allowing MNOs to control how their licensed spectrum is shared with satellite partners for optimal coverage.
# Require Commercial Partnerships Between MNOs and Satellite Operators
Effective D2D deployment relies on formal agreements between MNOs and satellite network operators (SNOs), ensuring market-led spectrum use and coordinated service delivery.
# Enforce Strict Interference Protection Rules
Regulators must adopt “no interference/no protection” frameworks or create secondary allocations in IMT bands to maintain coexistence between terrestrial and satellite services ahead of ITU’s WRC-27 decisions.
# Ensure Seamless Operation on Standard Handsets
IMT-based D2D can run on standard smartphones without special hardware, enabling affordable adoption — including on refurbished devices — while expanding coverage to remote areas such as deserts and oceans.
# Address Cross-Border and Domestic Regulations Before WRC-27
Countries introducing D2D early should implement domestic rules that protect adjacent IMT networks and align with forthcoming WRC-27 outcomes to avoid fragmented international policies.
# Recognize MSS Spectrum Opportunities and Challenges
D2D services using mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum benefit from harmonized global frequencies and existing ITU regulations but currently require specialized chipsets found only in select high-end devices.
# Expand 3GPP Standards and Handset Availability
While 3GPP has standardized key MSS bands such as n254, n255, and n256, widespread handset adoption remains limited. Broader integration of these bands is crucial for MSS-based D2D growth.
# Safeguard IMT Networks During New MSS Allocations
Any new MSS spectrum allocations agreed at WRC-27 must operate on a secondary basis, ensuring mobile networks remain protected from potential interference.
# Promote Global Regulatory Consistency
National frameworks should be updated as international D2D standards evolve, ensuring consistent rules that encourage investment and prevent regulatory fragmentation.
By following these priorities, governments can foster innovation in direct-to-device satellite connectivity while protecting the mobile services that billions rely on every day. The GSMA’s policy paper underscores that balanced regulation is key to bridging the coverage gap, enhancing resilience, and achieving the industry’s vision of connecting everyone, everywhere.
Baburajan Kizhakedath