Direct-to-device (D2D) communication marks a pivotal shift in the telecom ecosystem. By enabling mobile devices to connect directly to satellites without the need for terrestrial relay infrastructure, D2D expands coverage areas, enhances network resilience, and supports seamless global communication. As demand for low-latency, always-available connectivity intensifies—especially across underserved and remote regions—D2D has emerged as a key strategy in closing the digital divide.

Viasat and Space42, leveraging deep space operations expertise and robust satellite assets, stand at the forefront of this shift. Viasat brings a legacy of high-capacity satellite communication systems, while Space42 contributes mission-critical intelligence and technical innovation. Together, they combine orbital infrastructure with on-the-ground network intelligence to accelerate the real-world deployment of D2D.

This initiative aligns directly with the global momentum toward ubiquitous, edge-to-edge networks. It supports the technological demands of IoT expansion, autonomous systems, and emerging mobile applications, all of which depend on consistent, responsive connectivity regardless of geography.

The Rise of D2D: How It Complements 5G and MSS Infrastructure

Bridging the Gap Between Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks

Direct-to-Device (D2D) communication redefines network boundaries by linking devices to satellites without reliance on ground-based intermediaries. This architecture merges terrestrial 5G networks with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), enabling continuous coverage even in areas where cell towers and fiber infrastructure fall short. Mountains, oceans, and remote rural zones won’t break the signal chain anymore—data flows regardless of geography.

By allowing smartphones and IoT devices to interface directly with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, D2D serves as the missing layer in global connectivity frameworks. Traditional backhaul dependencies diminish, and network operators gain resilience against infrastructure failure or overload. The result is a hybrid mesh where terrestrial nodes and orbital assets operate in harmony, dynamically routing traffic where it’s most efficient.

Supporting 5G Expansion with Integrated Mobile Satellite Services (MSS)

5G targets ultra-reliable low-latency communication and mass-scale device connectivity. To achieve this at a planetary level, Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) must integrate into the 5G ecosystem. D2D acts as the enabler for this fusion. Instead of treating satellite as a fallback, the D2D model positions it as an intrinsic component of 5G's service fabric.

3GPP releases since Rel-17 have outlined specifications for NTN integration into 5G New Radio (NR). This includes waveform adaptations, frequency allocations, and scheduling mechanisms compatible with satellite orbits and latency profiles. D2D services will operate directly within the 5G core network architecture, with satellites functioning as gNodeBs, transparently extending cellular coverage into orbit.

The technical leap makes mobile broadband truly mobile—devices moving between urban grids and uninhabited terrain remain connected, without handovers to legacy systems. Use cases from connected agriculture to smart maritime fleet management benefit from this persistent compatibility.

Fostering Seamless Connectivity Beyond Cellular Tower Coverage

The cellular coverage map loses its hard edges under a D2D paradigm. Where 5G densification projects face economic or geographic limits—think deserts, polar regions, airborne routes—D2D steps in. Devices become globally addressable endpoints, untethered from network borders drawn by tower footprints.

Consider scenarios like emergency communications after natural disasters. Ground networks often collapse under physical damage or overload. With D2D, affected populations can still transmit location, video, or sensor data via satellite channels, even when local infrastructure is unavailable. This situational agility cannot be engineered through terrestrial channels alone.

• Maritime vessels maintain broadband connectivity without line-of-sight issues or VSAT complexity.
• Aviation systems access real-time telemetry and multimedia services throughout flight paths.
• Urban edge zones where tower reach degrades benefit from overhead redundancy provided by D2D links.

Each of these use cases illustrates how D2D acts not as a competitor to cellular networks, but as an exponential enhancer. It removes the binary constraint of coverage availability and replaces it with continuity powered by space-grade infrastructure.

Strategic Powerhouses: Viasat and Space42 at the Helm of D2D Innovation

Viasat: Bridging Legacy Expertise with Cutting-Edge D2D

With over three decades of experience in satellite communications, Viasat has shaped global broadband delivery from geostationary orbit (GEO) to future low Earth orbit (LEO) architecture. Its satellite platforms, such as ViaSat-1 and ViaSat-2, once set global benchmarks for bandwidth capacity. Now, the company is shifting focus toward supporting direct-to-device systems designed to deliver internet access without intermediary terrestrial infrastructure.

The Viasat-3 constellation, featuring three Ka-band satellites, forms the spine of the company’s next-generation broadband capability. Each satellite is engineered to deliver over 1 Tbps in throughput — a leap that positions it to support high-bandwidth, low-latency D2D transmission across continents. At the same time, Viasat continues to leverage its ground network and spectrum assets to integrate satellite service seamlessly with terrestrial 5G and mobile satellite service (MSS) networks.

Space42: An Emerging Force in Orbital Connectivity

Space42 entered the satellite communications arena with a focus on orbital infrastructure tailored directly to the D2D paradigm. Rather than retrofitting existing systems, Space42 designs LEO satellite architectures that natively support direct handset, sensor, and vehicle communication. The firm’s core strategy centers around enabling persistent coverage with minimal latency and efficient spectrum use, even in regions where traditional mobile networks struggle.

With its AgileMesh orbital deployment model, Space42 dynamically adjusts satellite routing to match ground-level demand patterns. This makes its technology especially suited for high-density urban environments and for emergency response scenarios requiring resilient, instantly accessible connectivity. The startup also designed its satellites with AI-accelerated onboard processing, anticipating the growing demand for edge computing in orbital systems.

Momentum from Past Collaborations and Strategic Moves

Viasat and Space42 both bring significant collaborative traction to their venture. Viasat’s previous work with mobile network operators in Latin America, Africa, and rural U.S. areas demonstrated its readiness to service underserved geographies using layered network strategies. Similarly, Space42's recent pilot projects with government agencies and logistics firms in Southeast Asia tested the viability of integrating D2D links into disaster preparedness infrastructures.

• In 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, consolidating Ka- and L-band spectrum assets and enhancing its vertical position in MSS/D2D alignment.
• Space42 signed MOUs with handset manufacturers and network orchestration software partners to streamline direct satellite-to-smartphone communication rollouts.
• Joint technical workshops between the two companies in late 2023 led to prototype demonstrations of device-aware satellite behavior, paving the way for real-time adaptive D2D links.

With complementary strengths — Viasat’s bandwidth scale and operational footprint, coupled with Space42’s flexible orbital innovation — the two companies are aligned to accelerate the commercialization of D2D services on a global scale.

Enabling Technologies: Building the D2D Satellite-to-Device Ecosystem

Spectrum Coordination and Global Regulatory Challenges

Seamless direct-to-device (D2D) coverage across international borders hinges on coordinated access to spectrum. Viasat and Space42 operate in a landscape marked by fragmented national regulations and varied allocations of Ka-, Ku-, and S-band frequencies. Harmonizing these bands—or securing dual-mode compatibility—requires navigating complex international agreements led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and regional stakeholders such as the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States.

Cross-border D2D services must avoid interfering with incumbent services like fixed satellite service (FSS), mobile satellite service (MSS), and terrestrial cellular networks. That makes satellite network operators dependent on dynamic spectrum sharing mechanisms, including database-driven coordination models and spectrum access systems (SAS), particularly in contested L- and S-band frequencies. Without harmonized spectrum frameworks, real-time global connectivity remains out of reach.

Terminal Hardware Requirements: Smartphones and IoT-Ready Devices

D2D service isn't purely an orbital challenge—terrestrial devices must also evolve. Industry leaders including Apple and Qualcomm have already integrated satellite capabilities into chipsets. Apple’s iPhone 14, for example, uses a custom RF modem to communicate with Globalstar’s satellite network for emergency SOS messaging. As of 2024, the ITU recorded more than 1.5 billion smartphones that could potentially become satellite-compatible within five years, if equipped with appropriate transceiver modules.

• RF front-end agility: Devices must support wide frequency ranges, particularly for S- and L-band downlinks and Ku-band uplinks.
• Advanced antennas: Unlike legacy mobile devices relying solely on omnidirectional antennas, D2D requires beamforming technologies or phased arrays in miniature, able to track low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in motion.
• Power efficiency: Maintaining link budgets with moving LEO satellites means balancing transmit power and battery life—especially critical for IoT devices with constrained energy profiles.

Engineering the Backbone: Infrastructure Requirements for Global D2D Deployment

Globally Distributed Constellations: GEO, MEO, and LEO Working in Concert

Direct-to-Device communication doesn't function through any single orbital layer. It relies on a hybrid of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. Each serves a distinct operational niche.

• LEO satellites, orbiting at altitudes between 500 to 2,000 km, bring latency down to under 50 milliseconds. Their proximity to Earth enables real-time interactivity and makes them well-suited for mobile D2D endpoints.
• MEO platforms, positioned roughly 8,000 to 20,000 km above ground, offer a compromise: greater coverage footprints than LEO but significantly lower latency than GEO. This tier often supports navigation and timing synchronization for D2D networks.
• GEO satellites, fixed at approximately 35,786 km, deliver sweeping coverage and are ideal for wide-area broadcast, emergency response, and high-throughput backbone connectivity in less latency-sensitive scenarios.

Achieving uninterrupted D2D service worldwide requires mesh-network interoperability across these layers, with dynamic routing to optimize for latency, congestion, and use case.

Multi-Band Spectrum Interoperation: Tapping the Full Frequency Portfolio

The success of a global D2D network hinges on the ability to operate across multiple frequency domains. Each band plays a distinct functional role, forming a versatile transmission stack.

• Ka-band (26.5–40 GHz) — Widely used for high-throughput data links between satellites and terrestrial gateways. It enables gigabit-class downlink rates and is often leveraged in urban and enterprise-grade D2D connections.
• S-band (2–4 GHz) — Optimized for penetrative capacity. This band allows signals to travel through dense foliage and urban clutter, which is essential for device-level reception in mixed terrain.
• UHF (300 MHz–3 GHz) — Highly resilient to weather conditions, UHF supports legacy infrastructure and low-data-rate transmissions crucial for remote IoT endpoints, wearables, and mission-critical communications.

Dynamic spectrum allocation, including the use of software-defined radios (SDRs), adds geo-fencing capabilities and adaptive power control to harmonize operation across diverse geographies and regulatory regimes.

Ground Segment Revamp: Teleport Virtualization and Cloud-First Gateways

Scaling D2D communication globally isn't just a space challenge. On the ground, telecommunication architecture faces an equally disruptive transformation.

• Next-gen teleports and satellite gateways are shifting toward software-defined infrastructure. Virtualization allows for scalable, elastic routing and resource allocation, minimizing costly hardware overhauls.
• Edge-integrated ground stations reduce backhaul latency. By placing compute and storage close to the user, content delivery and device query response times are slashed.
• Cloud-native network cores interface directly with satellite modems and SDRs, enabling automated service orchestration across multiple orbits and frequency bands.

Viasat and Space42’s envisioned D2D deployment will lean heavily on digitally unified ground control, with AI-backed traffic management ensuring efficient bandwidth usage and prioritization of high-value data streams.

Unlocking Connectivity: Key Sectors Set to Benefit from Viasat and Space42's D2D Venture

Emergency Response and Public Safety in Disconnected Zones

In disaster-prone or conflict-affected regions where terrestrial networks fail or don’t exist, direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity fills the void. First responders—firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement—require uninterrupted communication to coordinate real-time actions. Viasat and Space42’s D2D capabilities bypass the need for ground infrastructure, connecting smartphones directly to satellites.

This satellite-enabled resilience ensures that teams maintain operational clarity amid wildfires, hurricanes, and humanitarian crises. It also supports early warning systems, location tracking, and secure group messaging without reliance on terrestrial towers or mobile switching stations.

Maritime, Aviation, and Logistics Applications

Oceans, polar routes, and remote air corridors remain blind spots for most cellular and even traditional MSS networks. Viasat and Space42 aim to bridge this gap with persistent D2D links suitable for vessels, aircraft cockpits, and high-value freight on the move.

• In maritime settings: ships gain real-time weather data, route updates, and crew communication even beyond coastal coverage zones.
• For aviation: D2D enhances cockpit situational awareness through constant data feeds without relying on expensive geostationary ground relays.
• In supply chain and logistics: global asset tracking reduces latency in delivery updates and improves cargo security across borders and unregulated territories.

Agriculture and Energy Sectors in Rugged Environments

Agricultural producers and energy firms—particularly those operating in the sparsely populated interiors of Africa, Australia, or Canada—face critical connectivity limitations that stall IoT deployment. D2D makes edge devices like sensors, drones, and environmental monitors viable anywhere with sky view.

In oil and gas exploration zones, satellite-enabled links economize operations by automating asset surveillance and pipeline monitoring. For farmers, real-time soil data, autonomous machinery control, and yield analytics become practical without on-ground cellular infrastructure.

Personal Mobile Broadband: Always-On, Everywhere

Outside of well-lit cities, billions remain underserved by mobile broadband. Viasat and Space42 target this gap by transforming user smartphones into satellite terminals without hardware modification. People hiking remote trails, living in high-altitude villages, or cycling through network shadows will maintain uninterrupted access to messaging apps, email, and navigation services.

This universal coverage model poses a fundamental shift in mobile application design, where developers can assume persistent cloud access across latitudes and time zones. No more offline-mode limitations or fragmented service during travel—D2D promises seamless digital inclusion.

Global Reach: Connecting the Unconnected

Expanding Connectivity Beyond Conventional Limits

Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communication removes long-standing geographic and economic barriers to digital access. Unlike terrestrial networks, which depend on cell towers and fiber backbones, D2D architecture connects mobile phones directly to satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) or medium Earth orbit (MEO), bypassing traditional infrastructure. This unlocks consistent connectivity in regions where building ground-based networks would be cost-prohibitive or logistically infeasible.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (2023), around 2.6 billion people remain offline, with the majority residing in remote or underserved regions. By linking satellite capacity to everyday smartphones, Viasat and Space42's upcoming D2D service will place global broadband access within reach—without changing end-user devices.

Reducing the Global Digital Divide

The digital divide isn't abstract—it impacts education, economic participation, healthcare access, and disaster response. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 29% of the population accesses mobile internet as of Q2 2023, per GSMA. In comparison, North America reports 82% coverage. D2D solutions have the potential to equalize this discrepancy, providing consistent low-latency communication across economic strata and geographic isolation.

Viasat’s geostationary fleet, combined with Space42’s LEO constellation roadmap, signals a hybrid system optimized for resilience and broad reach. Schools in Amazonian basins, clinics across Mongolia’s high steppes, and fishing vessels in the Coral Triangle can operate digital applications where fiber or cellular backhaul isn’t feasible.

Projected Impact: Regional Case Scenarios

• Latin America: In regions like the Andes and rural Patagonia, D2D links enable inspection drones, emergency broadcasts, and secure banking services—all on standard mobile devices.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: With terrestrial backhaul limited or nonexistent in many regions, Viasat’s Ka-band coverage can bridge government services to citizens via simple mobile portals, leveraging D2D pathways.
• South Asia: In India and Bangladesh, where flooding or terrain disrupts deployment of towers, D2D can maintain service continuity during monsoons, supporting disaster preparedness and response networks.

How does one connect seven billion people without seven billion cables? Viasat and Space42’s D2D venture approaches that challenge by looking up, not out—creating shared access through orbit, rather than relying on outdated, ground-constrained strategies.

The Competitive Landscape & Spectrum Challenges

Competing Forces Redrawing the D2D Map

Major aerospace and telecommunications players are accelerating their D2D ambitions, positioning themselves in what is quickly becoming one of the most contested arenas in satellite communications. While Viasat and Space42 prepare their joint initiative, dominant forces like SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are moving with significant momentum.

SpaceX, through its Starlink constellation, is currently developing D2D capabilities in partnership with several mobile operators across North America. Its strategy benefits from an operating fleet exceeding 6,000 satellites as of Q2 2024, giving it a considerable infrastructure lead.

AST SpaceMobile is taking a different path, building a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly with unmodified mobile phones. The company successfully launched its BlueWalker 3 test satellite and demonstrated the first-ever 5G call from space to a standard smartphone in early 2023. Its upcoming BlueBird production satellites aim to provide commercial D2D services over five continents.

Other contenders such as Lynk Global and Omnispace are also experimenting with hybrid low Earth orbit (LEO) and mid Earth orbit (MEO) architectures, testing text and voice data interoperability with mobile network partners.

Regulatory Bottlenecks and ITU’s Role

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) alongside national regulatory agencies holds decisive power in shaping D2D deployment timelines. Before offering commercial service, any global D2D operator must navigate a patchwork of national licensing regimes, orbital slot assignments, and coordination mechanisms for non-interference.

For instance, frequency coordination under ITU’s Radio Regulations requires extensive filings comprising ephemeris data, beam coverage, and signal margins. Any misalignment spells delays. As Viasat and Space42 seek to scale their service footprint globally, they will need clearances from authorities like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US, Ofcom in the UK, and the Indian Department of Telecommunications.

Redrawing the Spectrum Paradigm

The D2D model disrupts traditional conceptions of spectrum allocation. Historically, satellite and terrestrial providers have occupied different frequency bands under exclusive licenses. Now, spectrum sharing between LEO constellations and terrestrial 5G networks is sparking legislative and technological shifts.

• The 3GPP Release 17 framework includes provisions for non-terrestrial networks (NTN) to use 5G NR protocols, laying the groundwork for integrated D2D services.
• Several countries are considering co-primary use of S- and L-band frequencies for both satellite and terrestrial signaling, provided interference mitigation techniques like dynamic spectrum access and geofencing are adopted.
• Emerging AI-driven spectrum management systems promise to enable real-time allocation, reducing conflict between space and ground systems even in densely occupied bands.

Going forward, the value of orbital position and frequency rights will escalate. Entities that secure long-term spectrum assets—along with international operating licenses—will control the pace and reach of D2D deployments. Viasat and Space42 must gain a foothold here or risk deferring to more aggressively positioned rivals.

Charting the Future: Next-Gen Telecommunications via Space-Based Infrastructure

Seamless Integration with 6G and AI-Driven Networks

By aligning with emerging 6G specifications, the Viasat and Space42 collaboration gears itself toward a more flexible, resilient, and intelligent network architecture. Unlike its predecessors, 6G will rely heavily on non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), including geostationary, medium, and low Earth orbit satellites. Direct-to-device (D2D) functionalities will no longer serve as auxiliary layers—they will become key components of the global telecom grid.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will optimize bandwidth allocation, latency management, and payload scheduling in real time. With AI-integrated ground and space segments, network congestion can be predicted and rerouted dynamically, service-level agreements met more precisely, and rural and remote access points intelligently prioritized based on usage trends and environmental data. This transition paves the way for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) directly between satellites and mass-market devices.

Embedded Satellite Connectivity: Shifting From Adapter to Native

Viasat and Space42 are actively investing in native satellite-to-device chipsets, eliminating the need for intermediary ground terminals or specialized dongles. This move enables OEMs to embed satellite modems directly into smartphones, wearables, IoT modules, and autonomous vehicle components. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite initiative sets a precedent, but full integration across varied OEMs will depend on standardization through organizations like 3GPP and GSMA.

The embedded modem market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 25.3% between 2024 and 2030, according to Global Market Insights. In parallel, the satellite mobility market—which includes aircraft, maritime, automotive, and UAV systems—is projected to surpass $45 billion by 2032. Viasat’s existing presence in in-flight connectivity (IFC), combined with Space42’s LEO launch schedule, positions the joint venture to supply dual-mode terrestrial and non-terrestrial access across all major mobility verticals.

Milestones and Expected Deployment Schedule

The Viasat/Space42 venture follows a phased rollout across technical development and market expansion markers. Current indicators point to the following timeline:

• Q4 2024: Initial integration testing using Viasat GEO assets and Space42’s first phase LEO satellite fleet.
• Mid-2025: Limited commercial trials across select Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Sub-Saharan African markets in partnership with regional MNOs.
• 2026: Full-scale deployment of satellite-to-device services onboard 3GPP Release 18-compliant handsets; introduction of AI-managed D2D orchestration layer.
• 2027–2028: Expansion across high-density urban areas with variable backhaul; deployment of dual-layer D2D/MSS hybrid service plans targeting emerging economies.

Each stage will focus on tightening the mesh between LEO constellations, terrestrial base stations, and device-side processing. Partnerships with chipset manufacturers, tower companies, cloud providers, and regulators will unlock interoperability and stabilize service delivery across diverse geographies and network environments.

Pioneering the Next Leap in Global Connectivity

Satellite-based direct-to-device communication is not just an enhancement—it's a transformative force. By bypassing ground infrastructure and sending signals straight from orbit to everyday consumer devices, this model radically expands coverage, especially for regions long left at the edge of connectivity maps. Minimal latency, near-global reach, and persistent service continuity define the advantages that traditional networks struggle to replicate.

The alliance between Viasat and Space42 solidifies a strategic blueprint that few competitors have laid out with such clarity. By combining Viasat’s deep expertise in high-capacity satellite systems with Space42’s prowess in agile space innovation, this partnership drives a committed effort toward building a resilient, scalable D2D infrastructure. Together, they align technological ambition with pragmatic execution.

Infrastructure, spectrum regulation, and global interoperability will determine the speed and scale of rollout. Viasat and Space42 are already investing in multi-orbit architectures and open standards to mitigate fragmentation and foster cross-border compatibility. These steps position them to lead—not follow—as industries across sectors rely more heavily on space-based connectivity solutions.

Now consider your own role in this new ecosystem. What opportunities arise for your enterprise when connectivity barriers fall away? How does your business model shift with seamless access to mobile broadband in remote, unserved territories?

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Visual Resources:

• Global coverage maps showcasing projected D2D reach by 2027
• Infographics explaining satellite constellation layers (GEO/MEO/LEO)
• Use-case diagrams: Emergency response, maritime logistics, rural telemedicine