Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations are on the rise, making broadband speeds available anywhere in the world, disrupting broadband markets and changing the way we think about connectivity. This year, LEO Direct-to-Device (DTD) has evolved from a concept into the first commercial services.
DTD refers to the principle of connecting your everyday smartphone directly to satellites, without requiring additional hardware in between. This is important for filling the last few coverage gaps of our terrestrial networks and could make the phrase “always connected” finally mean everywhere. Players like SpaceX’s Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Skylo are already shaping DTD ecosystems.
Starlink Question: From Partner to Competitor?
To date, Starlink has acted as a partner, working with mobile network operators and using its licensed spectrum for DTD services. However, by acquiring EchoStar’s mobile assets (AWS-4 and H-Block licenses in the US, as well as global Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) priority rights), SpaceX appears to have opened the door to taking on a broader role. Elon Musk has even hinted at launching a mobile DTD service with indoor coverage within two years.
This development is causing concern for the industry. Is Starlink poised to become a mobile operator in its own right? Becoming a full MNO without an existing terrestrial network will be difficult and daunting. This means building ground locations, deploying a mobile core, and handling billing, customer support, and regulatory compliance across dozens of markets. That’s a heavy burden, even for Starlink.
Instead, this spectrum deal appears to be more of a strategic enabler than a comprehensive move toward mobile phone retail. It gives Starlink more flexibility in its wholesale and partnership business. Realistically, it will take two to three years before we see any impact on the market, with the development of satellite and mobile phone constellations.
Starlink’s spectrum movement is not a declaration of war. Rather, it is a signal. It tells us that the boundaries between space and terrestrial networks are blurring, and that the next chapter of connectivity will be written through collaboration, not competition.
The bigger story here isn’t about who will “win.” It’s about how everything is connected. LEO DTD has become a key convergence layer in a world where fixed, mobile, terrestrial and satellite networks work together to keep users seamlessly connected. No single network type can cover it all, but together, they can do it, and partnerships are essential to make it happen. The real opportunity lies in building converged user experiences rather than competing over who owns the access layer.
CableLabs is shaping the connected future
For CableLabs members, this is an opportunity, and we are deeply engaged in helping them understand and shape this new reality. We are building the foundation for members to confidently embrace, share and innovate in tomorrow’s world. Our experts work on:
Seamless communication frameworks that unify terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. Technical and economic simulations and models to analyze LEO DTD and broadband capacity, performance and cost structures. Integration architectures that demonstrate how DTD can fit into existing cores, backends, and traffic routing systems. Regulatory engagement to ensure our industry’s voice is heard in spectrum and interoperability discussions. Public Seamless Connectivity Services (SCS) to provide a ubiquitous, reliable, and scalable communication fabric regardless of access type
If you are an operator or technology partner looking to understand how DTD fits into your roadmap, now is a good time to connect with CableLabs experts. The earlier we align infrastructures, interoperability and business models, the stronger the ecosystem we can build together will be.
To explore the broader topic of seamless connectivity services, see our recent blog post. If you are a member, join our working group or watch the recent webinar on Seamless/Mobile Optional Services on the Member Portal (login required).
