The UK is set to lead Europe in the rollout of satellite connectivity for standard smartphones, following Ofcom’s decision to authorize Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services using mobile spectrum bands. This move will allow users across the UK to make calls, send texts, and access the internet on their existing smartphones, even in areas without coverage from traditional mobile masts.
Credit: GSMA
Ofcom’s Decision on Satellite Smartphone Connectivity
In a consultation earlier this year, Ofcom explored options to enable D2D satellite services in spectrum bands below 3 GHz currently licensed to UK Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). After reviewing stakeholder input, Ofcom has confirmed that it will move forward with a licensing framework that allows MNOs to integrate satellite services into their existing spectrum rights.
Specifically, Ofcom will:
Introduce variations to MNOs’ existing licences to authorise satellite-to-smartphone services.
Create a new exemption regulation permitting ordinary smartphone users to connect to satellites without requiring additional licences.
This ensures compliance with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, under which use of radio equipment in the UK is otherwise unlawful without a licence or exemption.
Benefits of Direct-to-Device Satellite Services in the UK
Ofcom’s initiative will make the UK the first European country to enable mass-market smartphones to directly connect to satellites. The rollout has the potential to deliver significant benefits, including:
Improved rural connectivity: Extending coverage to the UK’s most remote and hard-to-reach communities.
Resilience in emergencies: Providing a vital backup communication service when terrestrial networks face outages.
Support for IoT growth: Unlocking new applications for Internet of Things devices that can leverage satellite links.
Boost to MNO efficiency: Allowing operators to use spectrum holdings more intensively while enhancing service coverage.
Consultation on Technical Safeguards
While Ofcom is moving forward with D2D authorisation, it has also opened a new consultation on technical and non-technical conditions to ensure safe implementation. Key areas of concern include:
Protecting Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars from potential interference, particularly in the 2.6 GHz band.
Establishing technical standards and operational guidelines for MNOs and satellite operators.
The consultation will remain open until 10 October 2025, giving stakeholders — including telecom operators, satellite providers, and technology companies — the opportunity to provide feedback.
A Step Toward Global Satellite-Enabled Connectivity
The authorisation of D2D satellite services marks a transformative step for the UK’s telecommunications sector. By enabling smartphones to connect directly to satellites, Ofcom is not only addressing the rural connectivity gap but also supporting innovation in mobile and IoT services.
As global competition intensifies — with companies like SpaceX’s Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global pioneering satellite-to-phone technologies — Ofcom’s decision positions the UK at the forefront of satellite-powered mobile connectivity in Europe.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
