Measuring the Direct-to-Device Marketplace: 2026

Just a few years ago, the idea that a smartphone could connect to a satellite seemed more science fiction than technological possibility. But now, such connections are not only possible, they’re popping up in a growing number of locations around the world. This development has significant implications for cellular network providers, telecommunications regulators, cell tower operators, and equipment vendors—not to mention mobile users themselves. After all, D2D technology ultimately promises to eliminate outdoor cellular dead zones globally. However, D2D technology is still maturing. Most such connections can only transmit a few bytes of data. And the service is commercially available in just a handful of countries.