Satellite operators join forces to chase direct-to-smartphone opportunity

A group of satellite operators have joined forces to push the fledgling direct-to-smartphone market to adopt services using their radiowaves, rather than spectrum derived from terrestrial mobile network operators. Viasat, Terrestar Solutions, Ligado Networks, Omnispace, and Yahsat announced the creation of the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) Feb. 9, a non-profit aiming to harmonize Mobile Satellite Services for integrating with standardized devices. Together, they hold more than 100 megahertz of L- and S-band spectrum that they say could help extend terrestrial cellular networks worldwide. San Francisco-based Skylo says it has developed ground infrastructure technology that would enable satellite-based messaging from smartphones slated to roll out by the end of the year, using geostationary satellites operated by Viasat, Ligado, and Terrestar. “We have multiple partners including carriers and [original equipment manufacturers] conducting trials of SMS this quarter,” Skylo cofounder Tarun Gupta told SpaceNews via email. “We anticipate that carriers will integrate and roll out the service to users by the end of this year on new devices coming out.” MSSA wll advocate for policies, laws and regulations that would encourage widespread adoption of the service in alignment with standards widely used by the cellular industry, potentially enabling direct-to-smartphone users to roam across their networks.

An Airbus illustration of an I-6 F1 satellite launched in late 2021 to replenish Inmarsat L-band services now controlled by Viasat. Credit: Airbus

Iridium Communications, a global operator of Mobile Satellite Services that recently decided to move away from proprietary direct-to-direct network for an open network approach, is notably absent from the MSSA partnership.

MSSA is led by Viasat chair and CEO Mark Dankberg.

“Integrating satellite connectivity into consumer mobile devices is a transformative opportunity for the satellite industry,” Dankberg said in a news release.

“As a coalition of leaders with a unified voice, MSSA will be a driving force in making this new marketplace a reality, while respecting the rights of nations to meaningfully engage and retain sovereignty in a rapidly growing space economy.”

On the other side of the direct-to-smartphone market, players such as SpaceX, Lynk Global, and AST SpaceMobile see using cellular spectrum from mobile network operator partnerships as key to building a critical mass of subscribers.

Their services would also reach unmodified smartphones already in consumer pockets.

Lynk Global, which launched commercial services last year, says it is currently serving more than seven countries, including parts of Palau, the Cook Islands, and Solomon Islands.

However, while Mobile Satellite Service operators already have widespread permission to beam their radio frequencies from space to devices, direct-to-smartphone players seeking to use cellular spectrum more broadly must overcome many interference concerns and regulatory hurdles.

Ligado Networks passes 3GPP review for 5G plan

Ligado Networks is a step closer toward using its L-band satellite spectrum for terrestrial wireless services in the U.S., after getting clearance from the 3GPP consortium that sets global communications standards for 5G. The company said June 21 that 3GPP approved technical specifications that enable vendors to build 5G-compatible products on its spectrum. It comes after the Federal Communications Commission granted Ligado a modification to its L-band license in April 2020, despite opposition from the Pentagon and other government agencies over GPS interference concerns. The FCC unanimously approved Ligado’s plan to use L-band for a 5G network, following a four-year proceeding, with conditions including reduced power limits and a requirement that part of it be used as a “guard band” near adjacent operations such as GPS. In October, Ligado said it had raised nearly $4 billion in new capital to develop a private network solution for energy, manufacturing, health care, transportation and other infrastructure sectors. “The final major step for Ligado will involve getting chipset and radio vendors to incorporate the L-Band into their designs, paving the way for a carrier to deploy the L-Band on towers and small cells and to sell devices that contain L-Band-supporting chipsets,” New Street Research analyst Jonathan Chaplin wrote in a report to investors. “This final leg of the process is likely to take some time, but could be accelerated by the support of a large industry player (one of the carriers), who can more easily encourage their vendors to integrate the spectrum into their equipment.”

Ligado announced an agreement June 22 with Nokia to develop 5G base station radios that will be compatible with its spectrum in North America.

“Our partnership with an industry leader like Nokia is a significant milestone for our company and brings the deployment of L-Band spectrum in 5G mobile networks one step closer to reality,” Ligado chief technology officer Maqbool Aliani said in a statement.

“Nokia is a key partner in Ligado’s commercial efforts to develop the vendor ecosystem around this lower mid-band spectrum, and we look forward to advancing our collaboration activities to ready the L-Band for 5G network deployments.”

Ligado is also collaborating with Japan-based network operator Rakuten Mobile on its private network plans, aiming to deploy field trials over the next 12 months.

U.S.-based satellite operator Globalstar achieved 3GPP approval in March 2020 amid global ambitions to use some of its S-band spectrum for terrestrial wireless services.

Announcing financial results May 6, 2021, Globalstar executive chair Jay Monroe said the company was reviewing “several private networking opportunities of varying sizes” for the frequencies.

“We will soon be at the point where the only impediment to terrestrial deployments will be commercial negotiations,” Monroe said.