Satellite is quickly becoming a hot topic in the world of mobile communications, with many operators planning service in multiple countries and regions, and a number of providers already announcing the launch of commercial services.
But the GSA report noted that the full potential of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to complement terrestrial networks, telephone service and broadband remains unclear.
according to, Non-Terrestrial 5G Networks and Satellite Connectivity Report According to the GSA, which promotes technology based on 3GPP standards, 77 partnerships had been announced between telecommunications operators and satellite vendors in 43 countries and regions by the end of March 2024.
In total, 50 operators in 37 countries and regions are planning satellite services, and 9 operators in 9 countries and regions are currently evaluating, testing or trialing these. Ten operators in 10 countries and regions have now commercially launched satellite services, an increase of two since the last update in August 2023.
The report notes that while the process of launching 5G NTNs around the world is still in its early stages, the technology is already being widely adopted to provide rural coverage, which is by far the most popular use case for satellite, accounting for 57 percent of identified partnerships. GSA recorded that 34 countries and territories are planning, evaluating, testing or have launched satellite broadband services.
GSA noted that Timor-Leste is the latest country to launch the service, joining the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates. Five more countries are currently evaluating, testing or piloting the service, and 26 are in the planning stages.
The study noted that satellite-to-cellular connectivity is a hot topic in the mobile device industry, primarily because it could connect unmodified smartphones to even the most remote and rural areas, and satellite companies are providing the capability using terrestrial spectrum owned by mobile operators rather than dedicated satellite frequencies. GSA found that three major companies — SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk — are pursuing operator partnerships in this area.
As of April 2024, four partnerships are evaluating, testing, or trialing satellite-to-cell technology, with 18 more planning to launch. There are 14 countries and territories that are planning, evaluating, testing, or launching satellite-to-cell partnerships. Of these, Ghana, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States are currently evaluating, testing, or trialing the technology, with 11 more countries currently planning service.
“We expect the number of operator-satellite provider partnerships to grow in the coming months and years, as well as an increasing rate of partner launches. This is evident from the continued increase in broadband satellite service launches over the past four months, the majority of which are now in the planning stages,” Joe Barrett, president of the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), commenting on the report.
“As demand for broadband, voice and data services and satellite-to-cell technology grows, more and more carriers will expand their operations to respond to natural disasters that affect rural populations and terrestrial networks. As a result, GSA expects more countries to offer satellite services in the near future.”
