Satellite Direct-to-Device Race Heats Up: Starlink Leads While New Players

Summary

Satellite operators are rapidly advancing direct-to-device (D2D) capabilities, allowing standard smartphones to connect directly to space-based networks. Starlink currently leads with around 9,000 satellites in orbit and ambitious plans for a 15,000-satellite D2D constellation. Competitors including AST SpaceMobile, Lynk Global, Globalstar and Skylo are forming major partnerships with mobile network operators (MNOs) and testing services. For ASEAN, this emerging technology offers both competitive pressure and new opportunities to close coverage gaps in remote areas.

Recount of Events

Starlink operates approximately 9,000 satellites with plans for a full constellation of 42,000. The company recently announced up to 15,000 next-generation satellites dedicated to cellular D2D services, leveraging spectrum acquired from EchoStar. This allows greater independence while maintaining partnerships with MNOs such as T-Mobile for seamless coverage extension.

AST SpaceMobile has 6 satellites in orbit and aims for 45–60, with around 50 MNO partnerships worldwide. It is testing data, text and voice services designed to work with standard devices through a wholesale B2B model.

Lynk Global operates 10+ satellites plus 120 through its SES partnership and has secured relationships with over 50 MNOs. In October 2025, it announced a merger with Omnispace to upgrade D2D services using coordinated S-band spectrum.

Globalstar maintains a strong integrated partnership with Apple, allocating significant network capacity to enable satellite features on iPhones. Recent reports suggest Globalstar may be exploring a sale, potentially opening the door for deeper Apple–SpaceX collaboration.

Skylo focuses on narrowband IoT and emergency services through partnerships with Viasat, Ligado Networks and TerreStar, targeting a full constellation of 5,000 satellites. Emerging players include Geespace (China) with 64 satellites launched in its first phase and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, targeting commercial D2D services in select markets by early 2026.

Analysis

From an Indonesian vantage point, the accelerating D2D race is highly relevant. Our vast chain of islands and uneven terrestrial coverage make satellite connectivity a natural solution for remote islands, rural communities and disaster-prone areas. Yet Indonesian operators have so far been relatively passive observers compared to the aggressive global moves by Starlink, Lynk and AST SpaceMobile.

The business implications are significant. D2D services could dramatically lower the cost of extending coverage to underserved regions, supporting e-commerce, digital payments, logistics tracking and remote work. For SMEs in Sulawesi or Papua, reliable connectivity without massive ground infrastructure investment would be transformative.

However, several strategic questions remain unanswered:

• How will Indonesia balance national security and local industry development with the need for rapid D2D deployment?

• Should local telcos pursue wholesale infrastructure partnerships or risk being marginalised by integrated consumer offerings?

• With spectrum allocation critical, why hasn’t Indonesia moved faster to reserve or harmonise bands for D2D services in coordination with ASEAN neighbours?

The satellite D2D wave is no longer hypothetical — it is arriving now. Indonesia has a unique geographic advantage; the question is whether we will proactively shape partnerships and policy to capture value, or watch global players define the terms of connectivity in our own backyard. The next 12–18 months will be decisive.