Starlink

KDDI Starlink on iPhone: Direct-to-Cell Satellite Data

KDDI Starlink on iPhone: Direct-to-Cell Satellite Data

KDDI’s move to enable satellite data on recent iPhones via “au Starlink Direct” is a meaningful step toward resilient, nationwide connectivity that blends terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. KDDI now supports satellite data communication on all models of iPhone 13 through iPhone 17, plus iPhone Air—21 models in total, so consumers and field teams can use essential apps when they are outside cellular coverage. The satellite layer augments KDDI’s 5G/4G LTE footprint; combined, the operator aims to cover virtually all of Japan’s geography, not just its population centers. Notably, the service is available to au subscribers and customers of other carriers.

DCC sends satellite spectrum plan back to TRAI

Unleashing the Power of 5G and Satellite | Meeting the Demands of a Connected World
India’s Digital Communications Commission has sent most of TRAI’s satellite spectrum recommendations back for review, signaling a tougher stance on pricing, compliance, and market safeguards. TRAI recommended that satellite internet providers pay 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as spectrum usage charges, an additional Rs 500 per urban subscriber per year, and a minimum annual spectrum fee of Rs 3,500 per MHz when the AGR-linked payout falls short. At its September 16 meeting, the DCC—comprising senior DoT officials and representatives from finance, IT, and NITI Aayog—reviewed the satcom framework and withheld approval on most elements.

EchoStar pivots to satellite & NTN growth

EchoStar has reset its strategy after regulator-driven spectrum sales, trading long-cycle infrastructure bets for an asset-light, capital-rich posture focused on satcom growth. Federal Communications Commission scrutiny over spectrum utilization forced EchoStar to accelerate decisions it had hoped to phase over time. Complaints from rivals spurred investigations into whether the company was meeting buildout and use obligations. Even if EchoStar prevailed in court, the process risked tying up key licenses and stalling its direct-to-device (D2D) ambitions. The company opted to monetize holdings and remove uncertainty rather than fight a prolonged, value-destructive battle.

Starlink vs Fiber: SpaceX Urges FCC Parity

Starlink vs Fiber: SpaceX Urges FCC Parity
SpaceX wants the FCC to count Starlink as “advanced” broadband in its annual Section 706 report, a move that could reshape funding, benchmarks, and competition in rural internet buildouts. In 2024, the agency set a 100/20 Mbps benchmark, added affordability and adoption metrics, and floated a long-term goal of 1 Gbps/500 Mbps. SpaceX argues that excluding LEO distorts the national picture. The company says Starlink serves more than 2 million U.S. subscribers and posts median peak-hour speeds near 200 Mbps today. Rural electric co-ops and community telcos counter that LEO networks remain capacity constrained and variable.

Could Starlink Replace Your Cellphone Carrier with direct-to-device and EcoStar spectrum?

Could Starlink Replace Your Cellphone Carrier with direct-to-device and EcoStar spectrum?
SpaceX’s $17 billion purchase of EchoStar spectrum signals a deliberate push to blend satellite and mobile connectivity at consumer scale. SpaceX is acquiring EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-Block licenses, adding roughly 1.9–2.0 GHz spectrum into its portfolio for direct-to-device (D2D) service in the U.S. Owning licensed spectrum lets SpaceX widen capabilities beyond roaming-style add-ons, potentially toward a branded service that spans home broadband and handset connectivity. A two-year window for first compatible handsets is a realistic baseline. Analysts broadly expect Starlink to expand via partnerships: wholesale arrangements to MNOs for satellite fallback, and potentially an MVNO to bring a Starlink-branded phone plan to market.

5G NTN Direct-to-Device Demo by Capgemini, Thales & Thales Alenia Space for CNES

5G NTN Direct-to-Device Demo by Capgemini, Thales & Thales Alenia Space for France's space agency CNES
France’s space agency CNES has selected Capgemini, Thales, and Thales Alenia Space to lead a national demonstration of 5G direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity under the France 2030 investment program. The consortium will deliver “U DESERVE 5G,” a government-backed project designed to prove that standard mobile devices and fixed terminals can connect directly to a satellite using 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology. The team will launch a low Earth orbit (LEO) demonstrator satellite equipped with an active antenna payload able to form and steer beams directly to devices. The trial will evaluate interoperability with terrestrial 5G, handover behavior between networks, and user experience under varying coverage conditions

SpaceX buys EchoStar AWS-4/H-Block spectrum for $17B

SpaceX buys EchoStar AWS-4/H-Block spectrum for B
SpaceX agreed to acquire EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-Block spectrum licenses in a transaction valued at up to $17 billion, split between as much as $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX equity. As part of the package, SpaceX will also cover approximately $2 billion in cash interest payments on EchoStar debt through November 2027. The parties have also signed a long-term commercial agreement that would allow EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers to access SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink “Direct to Cell” service once live.

DE-CIX India Integrates Starlink LEO: A New Era for Satellite Internet and NTN

Enterprise Demand to Drive India’s Satellite Internet
DE-CIX India has become the first internet exchange in India to integrate Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, marking a strategic advance in non-terrestrial network (NTN) capabilities. With 25–220 Mbps throughput and low latency, Starlink’s interconnection via DE-CIX enables local breakout, cloud on-ramps, and SD-WAN optimization across hard-to-reach regions. As regulatory approvals move toward completion, satellite connectivity shifts from pilot to production-ready, opening new paths for mobile backhaul, enterprise WANs, and e-governance.

Tampnet Delivers Private 5G and Edge Connectivity to Island Innovator Rig

Tampnet Delivers Private 5G and Edge Connectivity to Island Innovator Rig
Tampnet has secured a five-year contract to deliver a fully managed private 5G network with LEO satellite, LTE, and edge computing to Island Drilling’s Island Innovator rig. Operating in the North Sea, the solution ensures low-latency, AI-orchestrated data flow for safer, smarter offshore operations, enabling automation, predictive maintenance, and real-time decision-making even in extreme conditions.

Alaska Airlines selects Starlink for low-latency inflight Wi-Fi

Alaska Airlines selects Starlink for low-latency inflight Wi-Fi
Alaska Air Groups move to deploy SpaceX Starlink across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines by 2027 signals a decisive pivot to low-latency, LEO-based inflight connectivity for U.S. carriers. Inflight WiFi has moved from perk to productivity platform, and latency not just bandwidth now defines user experience for video conferences, collaboration tools, and gaming. By standardizing on Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) network, Alaska is targeting ground-like performance gate-to-gate across regional, narrowbody, and widebody fleets. Alaska cites sub-100 ms latency and up to 500 Mbps per aircraft, enabling real-time messaging, cloud apps, and streaming on multiple devices without gating performance to a handful of users.

Nelco & Eutelsat OneWeb to Launch LEO Satellite Internet in India

Nelco & Eutelsat OneWeb to Launch LEO Satellite Internet in India
Tata-owned Nelco has partnered with Eutelsat OneWeb to launch LEO satellite services across India, targeting land, maritime, and aviation sectors. The deal aims to deliver secure, high-speed, low-latency connectivity, support national security, and expand coverage to remote areas. Pending spectrum allocation, Nelco will be ready to offer services once OneWeb’s India network goes live.

Reliance Jio Tops Global Telecom Charts with 488M Users & 5G Growth

Reliance Jio Tops Global Telecom Charts with 488M Users & 5G Growth
Reliance Jio has claimed the title of the world’s largest telecom operator with 488 million subscribers, including 191 million on its 5G network. Despite a 25% tariff hike, Jio’s 5G adoption continues to soar, making up 45% of its total wireless data traffic. Backed by investments in AI, 6G, and satellite internet—plus a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink—Jio is expanding its reach beyond India to become a global tech leader.

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