The 2026 Mobile World Congress (MWC) has just concluded, with satellite communication and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) emerging as one of the most talked-about topics during the event. This year’s buzz around satellite communication stems not only from the number of participating vendors but also from the growing alignment among different market players across the industrial chain regarding the direction of efforts in this field.

During MWC, significant progress was made in satellite communication across operators, satellite infrastructure, semiconductors, and application scenarios. Meanwhile, as satellite communication develops, regulatory oversight in this area has also been placed on the agenda. With concerted efforts from all parties, the construction of integrated air-space-ground communication capabilities will significantly accelerate, offering more new forms for future human and object connectivity.

Four Major European Telecom Operators Actively Promote Deep Satellite Collaboration to Solidify Their Positions

The rise of satellite communication has put some pressure on telecom operators. However, the non-terrestrial networks (NTN) formed by the ground communication established by telecom operators and satellite communication have a natural complementary relationship. Telecom operators are establishing deep collaborative relationships with satellite operators through various forms, leveraging their unique advantages to ensure the provision of integrated air-space-ground services for users. During this MWC, several well-known telecom operators announced collaborations in satellite communication, particularly the actions of Europe’s four most prominent telecom operators.

First, Vodafone partnered with Amazon LEO to provide satellite backhaul services. During MWC, the two giants announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to provide high-capacity satellite backhaul for 4G/5G base stations in remote areas where fiber is unavailable. The plan began in Germany and will later expand to other European markets and Africa. This collaboration can be seen as incorporating broadband satellites as a crucial component of communication infrastructure, filling the gap in wireless communication backhaul capabilities.

French telecom operator Orange also announced during this period its collaboration with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe. The former is a U.S.-based satellite communication operator, while the latter is a joint venture between AST and Vodafone in Europe. The tripartite collaboration plans to pilot and promote satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services in Romania, including voice, SMS, and data. The agreement also extends to Orange’s subsidiaries outside Europe, particularly in Africa. Prior to this, Orange had already advanced collaborations with satellite communication operators such as Skylo, Starlink, and Eutelsat, implementing a multi-partner strategy while maintaining flexibility in coverage, capabilities, and regulatory aspects.

Telefónica, through its collaboration with Satellite Connect Europe, is exploring D2D services in Spain and Germany. This move strengthens AST SpaceMobile’s position in Europe. With Telefónica, Orange, and Vodafone all supporting the Satellite Connect Europe initiative—which is AST’s joint venture in Europe—it further drives the promotion of a European sovereign satellite interconnection framework and enhances AST’s opportunities to advance D2D services in Europe.

Deutsche Telekom announced its collaboration with Starlink, leveraging Starlink’s capabilities to help fill the remaining coverage gaps in Europe. Unlike the collaborations between Orange, Telefónica, and Satellite Connect Europe, Deutsche Telekom’s partnership with Starlink for D2D services aims to launch in the European market by 2028.

Satellite Infrastructure and Constellations Continue to Evolve

During this MWC, SpaceX’s presence was undoubtedly a highlight of the event. The speech by SpaceX’s President and Starlink’s Senior Vice President unveiled the company’s plans for next-generation satellite communication. SpaceX’s satellite communication brand, previously known as Starlink Direct to Cell, has been officially renamed Starlink Mobile. Its first-generation satellites support services for U.S.-based T-Mobile, which has been live for about two months and has already garnered approximately 3 million subscribers. However, the first-generation satellites have limited capabilities, supporting only SMS and lightweight data transmission. Nevertheless, the second-generation satellite communication will bring satellite direct-to-device communication into the 5G era. The second-generation Starlink Mobile satellites will feature custom-designed chips and phased array antennas, with each satellite’s throughput increasing by about 20 times compared to the first generation. The entire constellation’s data density will reach 100 times that of the first generation, enabling users to achieve peak rates of 150 Mbps. The service is expected to launch first in the United States in mid-2027, with most existing phones being able to use it directly without needing device replacements.

Of course, SpaceX’s President did not deny the role of ground mobile communication. In his speech, he explained the relationship between satellite communication and ground mobile communication: “Satellites complement ground networks. They cannot provide the same data density as ground networks, but they can enhance coverage where ground networks are unreachable or require additional capacity.”

Another satellite infrastructure provider, Viasat, along with Cubic³, showcased satellite voice for connected vehicles, highlighting the growing role of NTN in automotive telematics and safety architectures. For automakers, satellite voice provides resilience for eCall, remote assistance, and cross-border connectivity in areas with unstable ground coverage, demonstrating the increasing importance of satellite integration for next-generation software-defined vehicles and global automotive platforms.

Chip-Level Support for Native Satellite Communication Capabilities in Devices

Qualcomm has provided strong support for satellite communication at the chip level through the release of two products. By launching the new Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and the world’s first X105 modem supporting 3GPP R19 readiness, Qualcomm emphasized its expanding role in the satellite connectivity ecosystem. The Snapdragon Wear Elite platform includes six different connectivity technologies, with satellite communication technology based on the 3GPP NB-NTN standard, enabling wearables to achieve narrowband communication via satellites and providing wearables with always-connected capabilities beyond traditional cellular coverage. The X105 modem supports 3GPP-based NR-NTN satellite communication, enabling video calls, video streaming, data, voice, and messaging functions over satellite networks, expanding network coverage and laying the foundation for the widespread adoption of satellite direct-to-device communication.

MediaTek, through its collaboration with Starlink, demonstrated emergency satellite services, reinforcing its push for chip-level NTN support. In MediaTek’s view, by embedding satellite communication directly into mobile platforms, satellite communication is positioned as a native capability for smartphone connectivity rather than an external add-on device.

The actions of Qualcomm and MediaTek reflect a broad industry shift toward satellite communication, with chip manufacturers playing a crucial role in expanding the adoption of satellite direct communication. As chip integration expands, the foundational infrastructure for satellite services grows, enhancing the long-term commercial viability of the D2D model.

Accelerated Innovation in Application Scenarios

Tracker manufacturer Bullitt launched the SATTAG, a satellite-enabled smart tracking device, which is believed to be the world’s first intelligent tag based on satellite communication. It integrates the Find My or FindHub ecosystem with satellite communication for messaging, SOS, and asset location, significantly expanding mobile communication coverage. This product innovation extends satellite capabilities to consumer tracking and asset recovery, a field traditionally limited to Bluetooth or ground networks. While satellite-based tags may remain a niche market in the short term, such integrations broaden awareness and enrich the diversity of satellite device categories.

Further Implementation of Regulatory Coordination Needed

The MWC exhibition demonstrated that satellite communication has entered the implementation stage, with future considerations needed for further monetization capabilities and innovation in segmented application scenarios, which various market players will accelerate. In this process, establishing a unified order and achieving more effective coordination will reduce the likelihood of disorderly competition. During MWC, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) released a position paper titled “Regulatory Readiness for Satellite Services,” calling for the development of an adaptive and proportionate regulatory framework for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation satellite services globally. The paper points out that LEO satellite constellations are reshaping service delivery methods and expanding coverage in underdeveloped regions. However, regulation of these emerging services not collaborating with mobile operators remains uneven and underdeveloped, with many countries’ existing frameworks unsuitable for new models, creating uncertainty for communication providers, investors, and consumers. GSMA believes that now is the time for policymakers to refine regulations, aligning rules with technological shifts to safeguard market access and the interests of consumers and society. The paper also proposes five core principles to guide the development of a modern regulatory framework: transparency and predictability, establishing clear and consistent market access rules; regulatory equality, ensuring satellite providers bear the same legal obligations as mobile operators; coordination and harmonization, aligning national policies with regional and international standards; collaboration and consultation, maintaining open dialogue among governments, regulators, and industry; and balancing innovation and regulation, supporting technological growth while ensuring satellite operators comply with national interests.