Direct Satellite-to-Phone Cellular Global Market Report 2025

The direct satellite-to-phone cellular market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $2.65 billion in 2024 to $3.65 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancement of satellite communication technology, innovations in direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication, use of cloud computing for satellite data management, development of compact and nano satellites, and integration of internet of things (IoT) with satellite networks.

The direct satellite-to-phone cellular market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.87 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for seamless global connectivity, expansion of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, rising need for communication in disaster-prone regions, increasing government initiatives for universal network access, and rising demand from maritime and aviation industries. Key trends in the forecast period include advances in low Earth orbit satellite deployment, adoption of 5G non-terrestrial networks, integration of artificial intelligence in satellite networks, emergence of high-throughput satellites, and deployment of autonomous satellite constellations.

The growing demand for seamless global connectivity is expected to propel the growth of the direct satellite-to-phone cellular market going forward. Connectivity refers to the ability of devices, systems, or networks to establish and maintain communication or data exchange with one another. This demand is increasing as mobile broadband subscriptions continue to rise worldwide, driven by consumers’ reliance on continuous connectivity for digital communication and services. Direct satellite-to-phone cellular enables seamless global connectivity by delivering network coverage in remote, maritime, and disaster-affected regions where terrestrial networks are unavailable. For instance, in March 2025, according to GSMA, a UK-based non-profit trade association, the number of unique mobile subscribers, currently at 5.8 billion with a 71% penetration rate, is expected to rise to 6.5 billion by 2030. Therefore, the growing demand for seamless global connectivity is driving the growth of the direct satellite-to-phone cellular market.

Key companies in the direct satellite-to-phone cellular market are focusing on developing direct-to-device (D2D) satellite links to gain a competitive advantage. D2D allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without intermediate ground infrastructure, extending coverage into remote or underserved regions. For instance, in October 2025, T-Mobile, a US-based wireless communications company, introduced T-Satellite via Starlink, enabling texting and app data over Starlink’s satellite-based LTE links on existing phones. The service offers seamless fallback between terrestrial and satellite networks and functions without hardware changes. Its strengths include expanded reach, network redundancy, and improved emergency resilience, while limitations include lower data throughput, spectral regulatory constraints, and increased latency in obstructed environments.

In March 2025, Vodafone Group Plc, a UK-based provider of mobile telecommunications, broadband, and digital services, partnered with AST SpaceMobile Inc. to support mobile network operators (MNOs) across all European markets. This partnership aims to establish a European direct-to-device satellite service provider, enabling MNOs to offer space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard smartphones without requiring terrestrial network infrastructure. AST SpaceMobile Inc. is a US-based provider of space-based cellular broadband services designed to connect standard mobile phones directly to satellites.

Major players in the direct satellite-to-phone cellular market are Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Inc., T Mobile US Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Telstra Corporation Limited, Rogers Communications Inc., Vodafone Group Plc., Viasat Inc., SES S.A., Iridium Communications Inc., Inmarsat Plc., Hughes Network Systems LLC, Globalstar Inc., Starlink, Skylo Technologies, Lynk Global Inc., AST SpaceMobile Inc., OQ Technology, OneWeb Technologies Inc., and Connecta Satellite Solutions LLC.

North America was the largest region in the direct satellite-to-phone cellular market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in direct satellite-to-phone cellular report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the direct satellite-to-phone cellular market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly impacting the information technology sector, particularly in hardware manufacturing, data infrastructure, and software deployment. Higher duties on imported semiconductors, circuit boards, and networking equipment have raised production and operational costs for tech firms, cloud service providers, and data centers. Companies relying on globally sourced components for laptops, servers, and consumer electronics are facing longer lead times and increased pricing pressures. In parallel, tariffs on specialized software tools and retaliatory measures from key international markets have disrupted global IT supply chains and reduced overseas demand for U.S.-developed technologies. To navigate these challenges, the sector is accelerating investments in domestic chip fabrication, diversifying supplier bases, and adopting AI-driven automation to enhance operational resilience and cost efficiency.

The direct satellite-to-phone cellular market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides direct satellite-to-phone cellular market statistics, including direct satellite-to-phone cellular industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a direct satellite-to-phone cellular market share, detailed direct satellite-to-phone cellular market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the direct satellite-to-phone cellular industry. This direct satellite-to-phone cellular market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Direct satellite-to-phone cellular refers to a communication technology that allows mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without relying on traditional terrestrial cellular networks. It integrates satellite communication capabilities into standard mobile devices, enabling them to send and receive signals through low Earth orbit or geostationary satellites. This technology ensures seamless connectivity by extending network coverage to remote or underserved areas where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable.

The key types of direct satellite-to-phone cellular are consumer services, fixed satellite services, mobile satellite services, and earth observation services. Consumer services are designed for power efficiency and minimal antenna adjustments, allowing standard smartphones to maintain essential connectivity in rural, maritime, or disaster areas, enhancing user safety and experience without replacing existing cell plans. The connectivity options include two-way communication and one-way communication, and the technology is applied across multiple end-user industries, including media and entertainment, government, defense, aerospace, retail and enterprise, and others.

The direct satellite-to-phone cellular market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as emergency communication services, rural and remote area mobile connectivity, global satellite voice and data services, internet of things (IoT) satellite solutions, and subscription-based satellite phone services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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