In an X post, Starlink wrote the deal would connect more than 170 million people in Africa, marking the sixth continent for the satellite-to-mobile service and expanding its mission to cover dead zones.

The satellite operator added the service would begin by delivering data that enables voice, video and messaging, and advance to providing high-speed broadband service.

Airtel Africa group CTO Atul Sachdeva stated in a LinkedIn post the service would begin in 2026 with data for select applications and text messaging, noting the rollout would proceed in line with country-specific regulatory approvals.

Sachdeva said Airtel Africa is the first mobile operator on the continent to offer Starlink direct-to-mobile service, using 650 satellites.

Airtel Africa forged a deal with SpaceX to launch Starlink’s satellite-based broadband services across its footprint in May, following up on an agreement with the operator’s parent company in India.

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In a field test in the Akmolinskaya region, Beeline Kazakhstan CEO Evgeniy Nastradin and Kazakhstan’s deputy prime minister Zhaslan Madiyev successfully placed a WhatsApp audio call to Veon Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu using a standard 4G smartphone with a Beeline SIM. The pair also exchanged SMS messages and WhatsApp texts over the satellite link.

The operator hailed the milestone as particularly significant for Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth-largest country by land area where remote and sparsely populated regions present long-standing coverage challenges.

Madiyev stated the technology will prove crucial for national resilience, making it possible to stay connected “in places where traditional infrastructure is unavailable: in the mountains, the steppe, forests, and across long distances”. “For our country, given its geography, this is more than just a convenience – it is an important safety measure,” he added.

Last month, Veon’s Ukrainian operator Kyivstar switched on Starlink’s D2D service in the country, marking a Europe first and attracting 300,000 users in the first 24 hours of its launch. “First in Ukraine and now in Kazakhstan, we are demonstrating how terrestrial networks and satellite platforms can operate as one integrated system,” explained Terzioglu.

Beeline Kazakhstan plans to introduce Starlink D2D connectivity for customers starting with SMS services in 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

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Nokia targets AI-ready US networks with $4B outlay

What happened: Nokia agreed a $4 billion, multi-year investment plan with US President Donald Trump’s administration to expand its R&D and manufacturing footprint and accelerate the rollout of AI-ready network infrastructure.

Why it matters: The investment directly supports the domestic production of mobile, fixed, IP, optical and defence solutions, while deepening R&D in automation, quantum-safe networks and semiconductors. It builds on Nokia’s earlier $2.3 billion US commitment linked to its Infinera acquisition, alongside $456 million in manufacturing investments by the optical specialist. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said the deal marked “another Trump administration win for America”, adding that the spending means “the most innovative technologies that power AI, data centres, and critical national security applications will be developed and built here in the US”. The hefty outlay puts financial weight behind Nokia’s recent strategy revamp under CEO Justin Hotard centred around AI-native networks, as the vendor streamlines into two core infrastructure units and targets higher profits by 2028 to cash in on what Hotard calls the “AI supercycle”.

Samsung, SKT start joint research on AI, 6G

What happened: Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom launched joint research into AI-supported RAN technology in a bid to lay the groundwork for 6G commercialisation.

Why it matters: The work will focus on AI-based channel estimation, distributed MIMO transmission and reception, and AI-RAN-based scheduler and core network technologies that determine when, where and how data is sent. Samsung said the field-focused work with SKT will allow it to verify AI-powered wireless technologies in real-world environments and secure critical AI-RAN technologies at an early stage. Meanwhile, SKT added the convergence of AI and wireless would be “crucial to 6G competitiveness”. Both companies are members of the AI-RAN Alliance, positioning them to impact future 6G standards and roadmaps. Athul Prasad, Samsung’s senior manager of emerging technologies & corporate development, said the pair’s joint proposal on AI-based channel estimation is already an approved official work item at the alliance, underscoring their potential influence on future standards.

Kyivstar activates Starlink D2D in Europe first

What happened: Kyivstar became the first mobile operator in Europe to switch on Starlink D2D connectivity following successful tests earlier this year, enabling SMS services for customers with standard 4G smartphones when terrestrial networks are damaged, unavailable or out of reach.

Why it matters: Ukraine’s digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov called the service “an important step in developing infrastructure that will ensure connectivity even in areas without traditional networks”, citing “constant Russian attacks on infrastructure, blackouts and network damage” amid an ongoing war. Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said the service enhances national resilience and provides “a vital functionality that is critical for our people”. This week, Kyivstar’s head of cloud & satellite business Ilya Polshakov told MWL at MWC25 Doha that around 400,000 users have registered on Kyivstar’s Starlink network, with around 90,000 to 100,000 SMS messages sent in the first 24 hours since launch. He pointed to successful real-world tests, including banking payment terminals, where reliable connectivity is critical. Voice and expanded data services are planned for 2026, with the operator also set to introduce extended IoT capabilities for future satellite generations. In addition, the project is strategically significant for Kyivstar parent Veon Group, which plans to roll out the service in Kazakhstan from 2026.

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During MWC25 Doha, Ilya Polshakov (pictured), said the Starlink service provides a crucial point of differentiation for Kyivstar, though emphasised the resilience the satellite connectivity brings is the more important element for a war-torn country where power cuts are frequent.

“If you don’t have connectivity, now you have the possibility to get it”, Polshakov said.

“This is a very big milestone achieved for Ukraine”.

Veon is gearing up to add enhanced data to Kyivstar’s Starlink service, which is initially providing SMS. Polshakov said the plan is to do so in 2026, though highlighted this involves collaboration with OTT app providers to tweak their wares for satellite networks.

The group company also plans to expand availability in 2026, beginning with its operation in Kazakhstan.

Polshakov said Veon opted for Starlink because it already has 650 satellites in orbit, though indicated other service providers could be added in future as they achieve the scale required.

The deployment shows mobile operators should not fear satellite connectivity.

“Satellite connectivity is not [a] separate story, you are combining terrestrial with non-terrestrial” and extending the range of ground-based infrastructure.

Click here to view the full interview, in which Polshakov also discussed the potential to create new business opportunities and the edge terrestrial networks still hold over satellite alternatives.

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Kyivstar customers with standard 4G smartphones will now be able to stay connected in areas where terrestrial networks are down, damaged or out of reach. The initial phase enables SMS services, with voice and data set to follow in 2026.

The operator highlighted the importance of the technology amid the country’s ongoing war with Russia, stating it will be crucial in regions facing prolonged blackouts, recently de-occupied territories undergoing network restoration and areas used for rescue and humanitarian missions. Businesses operating in hard-to-access areas will also benefit.

Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation Mykhailo Fedorov hailed the launch as “an important step in developing infrastructure that will ensure connectivity even in areas without traditional networks”. He also highlighted the pressures of wartime conditions, pointing to “constant Russian attacks on infrastructure, blackouts and network damage”.

Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said it marks an upgrade to national resilience, noting the operator’s existing system of batteries and generators already provide up to ten hours of backup coverage during grid failures. With D2D satellite connectivity, he said Kyivstar is “enhancing this resilience significantly” with “a vital functionality that is critical for our people.”

The service is available at no extra cost to subscribers with a 4G smartphone across Ukraine, excluding occupied areas, border regions and active combat zones.

The commercial debut comes ten months after the pair struck a deal to introduce space-based connectivity in the country. In August, the partners conducted a pilot in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region, where Komarov and Fedorov used standard 4G smartphones to exchange messages through Starlink’s D2D technology.

Following the pilot, Kyivstar said that Starlink’s D2D data service, which will support video communication through messaging apps, remains under development.

The post Kyivstar activates Starlink D2D in Europe first appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The transaction builds on the $17 billion agreement the companies entered into in September which sold AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licences to Elon Musk-owned SpaceX. The deal will close after receiving customary regulatory approvals.

Hamid Akhavan served as president and CEO of the company but is now chief of EchoStar Capital with former chair Ergen resuming the roles of president and CEO of EchoStar.

EchoStar Capital will be responsible for investing new capital from the recent spectrum transactions “in order to fuel future growth opportunities for EchoStar Corporation”.

Ergen now assumes the operating responsibility for the pay-TV and wireless business units.

“EchoStar will soon be in the unique position of having substantial available capital, vastly changing its scope of opportunities,” Akhavan stated. “Through EchoStar Capital we will fuel EchoStar’s growth into new and complementary arenas, beyond its successful pay-TV, wireless and enterprise business units.”

Akhavan noted the latest transaction with SpaceX, in addition to previously announced spectrum transactions and commercial agreements, “will strengthen EchoStar’s ability to develop new business opportunities and growth in value for our shareholders”.

 “The combination of AWS-3 uplink, AWS-4 and H-block spectrum from EchoStar with the rocket launch and satellite manufacturing capabilities from SpaceX accelerates the realisation of powerful and economical direct-to-cell service offerings for consumers and enterprises worldwide, including our Boost Mobile customers,” he stated.

Tim Farrar, an analyst at TMF Associates, told Mobile World Live the deal gives SpaceX more terrestrial options with Band 70 and it also might make it easier for Verizon to buy EchoStar’s paired AWS-3.

He said the rumour SpaceX will buy Apple-backed Globalstar for $10 billion seems less likely now. Bloomberg reported 30 October Globalstar was exploring a potential sale and held early discussions with SpaceX.

Q3 earnings
In its Q3 earnings results, the company reported a $16.5 billion impairment charge from decommissioning parts of its 5G network that are no longer needed for its Boost Mobile service following spectrum sales to AT&T and SpaceX.

The Federal Communications Commission ended its investigation into EchoStar’s use of spectrum after those sales. EchoStar stated it was moving to a hybrid MNO model after selling off the spectrum licences.

EchoStar added 232,000 Boost Mobile wireless subscribers in the quarter compared to a loss of 297,000 a year ago. Revenue for the wireless business came in at $938 million, compared to $898 million.

AT&T chair and CEO John Stankey stated on the company’s Q3 earnings call the company it was starting to see more of EchoStar’s Boost Mobile wireless customers moving to its network.

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The operator stated the landmark agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink would ensure satellite connectivity for BT and EE consumer broadband customers, complementing fibre and mobile networks.

It will specifically target customers in rural and remote areas where traditional infrastructure is economically unviable or geographically challenging to build.

Services are set to be available in the latter half of 2026. VMO2 said at the end of October it had signed up Starlink to deliver direct-to-device satellite services, with plans to launch in the first half of next year.

BT CEO Allison Kirkby said the agreement with Starlink “is a giant leap for rural connectivity”.

Revenue dip
In its fiscal H1 2025 (ending September), BT reported a 3 per cent year-on-year dip in revenue to £9.8 billion, put down to declines in legacy voice, lower mobile handset trading volumes and declines from its International business.

Pre-tax profit was also down, declining 11 per cent to £862 million, while net debt increased 3 per cent to £20.9 billion.

There was however cause for cheer from its Openreach division, with the company connecting 1.1 million homes to its fibre network in the six-month period, giving it a fibre-to-the premise footprint of 20.3 million.

Kirkby said the operator’s transformation was delivering ahead of plan, with its UK focus and modernisation efforts helping “to offset declines from our International and legacy business and higher labour-related costs”.

The post BT boss claims giant rural leap with Starlink tie-up appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The operator plans to launch its O2 Satellite service in the first half of 2026 and is already conducting tests of the technology.

Initially, it intends to provide messaging and limited data services in areas where standard coverage is not available.

The first data applications it aims to offer are those deemed the most valuable for remote areas, for example maps.

VMO2 expects the range to expand over time.

Asserting it is the first operator in the country to make use of “Starlink’s leading position” in the sector, VMO2 aims to expand its network coverage to 95 per cent of the UK landmass within 12 months of launch.

This percentage is expected to increase when the next generation of Starlink birds come into operation.   

The deal is the latest between the two: in 2024, VMO2 announced it was using Starlink’s technology for backhaul to help meet commitments as part of the UK’s Shared Rural Network.

VMO2 CEO Lutz Schuler described its partner as the “clear leader in this space, operating the world’s most advanced satellite constellation”.

In a research note, Assembly Research stated VMO2’s move is “an important milestone” in regulator “Ofcom’s push to enable direct-to-device services in spectrum bands below 3GHz that are currently licensed to operators, while reflecting the regulator’s heightened focus on mobile coverage over the past year”.

VMO2 is not alone in its look into space to aid UK mobile coverage.

In June, VodafoneThree committed to commence beta trials of a D2D service with Vodafone Group-backed AST SpaceMobile within 12 months.

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The chipmaker’s System LSI unit is developing an Exynos modem integrated with an AI accelerator, called a neural processing unit, the newspaper explained.

It aims to enable direct connections between low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and consumer devices.

A source told the publication discussions are “underway for Samsung to join the component supply chain” of SpaceX’s future non-terrestrial 6G network.

In a post on X, South Korea-based tech analyst Jukan noted Samsung’s relationship with Tesla is also deepening.

The carmaker’s CEO Elon Musk, who also leads SpaceX, stated on Tesla’s Q3 earnings call both Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will manufacture its next-gen AI5 chip.

Samsung’s foundry business in July lined up a KRW22.8 trillion ($15.9 billion) contract to supply chips to Tesla.

Meanwhile, in India Starlink plans to set up nine gateway earth stations, as it prepares to launch satellite communication services, The Economic Times stated.

The company reportedly started security tests of the service. It requires the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to approve the final pricing framework for its service before it can launch.

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Research by network performance measurement company Ookla finds T-Mobile customers accounted for 60.9 percent of the usage on T-Mobile’s T-Satellite service while AT&T came in second at 34 per cent.

T-Mobile’s satellite service provisioned by Starlink birds made its nationwide debut in July after six months of beta testing.

The service is available free for subscribers of T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans.

For those without premium plans, it is being offered for $10 per month for a limited time before increasing to $15 per month. Customers from rivals AT&T and Verizon can access connectivity for $10 a month when they add a second eSIM from T-Mobile.

Users of FirstNet and Verizon accounted for 3 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively, of usage during the same timeframe.

Verizon launched its free satellite messaging service with Skylo Technologies earlier this year, but it only works with newer devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9.

AT&T and Verizon also have D2D deals in place with AST SpaceMobile with the latter targeting a launch in 2026. Ookla stated AST SpaceMobile plans to offer intermittent satellite connections to AT&T customers later this year, but it has faced several delays.

Usage map
Ookla’s Speedtest data found national forests and national parks are among the areas with the highest usage of the T-Satellite service, but Los Angeles County is the most popular location.

“Although the city of Los Angeles sits in the southern portion of Los Angeles County, California, the Angeles National Forest sits in the northern part,” stated Ookla.

It noted the remote area is home to several wilderness zones, including the Cucamonga Wilderness, Magic Mountain Wilderness and Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness, as well as a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Second-ranked Larimer County, Colorado is in the northern part of the state and contains parts of Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest while third-ranked Teton County, Wyoming, is the home of Grand Teton National Park and a big chunk of Yellowstone National Park.

Fourth-ranked Mohave County, Arizona, includes parts of Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Mojave Desert, all of which are areas that have at least some cellular dead zones.

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Roundup: UK scores billions in US AI investment

What happened: The UK saw a major AI investment windfall this week as US tech giants including Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI made a series of commitments in the lead up to a state visit by US President Donald Trump.

Why it matters: Overall, the UK secured more than £150 billion in new investment this week, out of which AI investments by Google, Nvidia and Microsoft alone were worth £45 billion. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, celebrated its deal as a launchpad for AI-powered scientific breakthroughs in areas including drug discovery and fusion energy, adding that it combines “the unique strengths of both countries”. In addition, the UK government outlined a broader strategy to attract £30 billion in AI investment, with key sites in Blyth and potentially Cobalt Park, aiming to become some of the largest European data centre hubs. “These record-breaking investments will create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK — from clean energy to advanced manufacturing,” noted UK business and trade secretary Peter Kyle, adding that they indicate a “vote of confidence” in the country’s economy. However, Meta’s former president of global affairs and the UK’s former deputy PM Nick Clegg dismissed the deals as “sloppy seconds from Silicon Valley”, stating that the UK has become a “vassal state” in global tech, The Guardian reported. “These companies need the data centres anyway,” Clegg noted, arguing that “this US-UK tech deal is just another version of the United Kingdom holding on to Uncle Sam’s coat-tails”.

China targets Nvidia in antitrust probe, AI chip ban

What happened: Nvidia got caught in the crossfire of escalating US-China tech tensions as Chinese authorities launched an investigation into a prior acquisition claiming the company violated anti-monopoly laws. Separately, a regulator banned domestic companies from buying its RTX Pro 6000D AI chips.

Why it matters: China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) launched an investigation into Nvidia’s 2020 acquisition of networking product supplier Mellanox Technologies, alleging violations of the country’s anti-monopoly laws. The preliminary ruling came amidst ongoing US-China trade talks in Spain this week, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting the timing could be aimed at gaining leverage over chip export discussions, Reuters reported. The move could also comes as a response to Washington’s recent blacklist of 23 China-based firms. On top of that, China’s Cyberspace Administration reportedly ordered domestic companies, including ByteDance and Alibaba, to stop buying Nvidia’s RTX Pro 6000D AI chips. The ban comes after Nvidia had already adapted its high-end offerings for China to comply with US export controls in 2023 and last month reached a deal with US authorities to resume shipments of its H20 GPU to the country. CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC he was “disappointed with what I see”, adding that “they have larger agendas to work out between China and the United States, and I’m understanding of that”.

SpaceX in talks with chip vendors for D2D service

What happened: At a Paris conference this week, SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell reportedly revealed the company is collaborating with partners to embed chips directly into mobile devices to support a Starlink direct-to-device (D2D) service.

Why it matters: The move comes after the Elon-Musk owned satellite venture acquired EchoStar’s AWS-4 spectrum for $17 billion earlier this month, raising eyebrows across the mobile industry over a potential competing D2D service. Typically, satellite operators pursuing this type of service must partner with companies holding ground-based mobile licenses. While SpaceX currently works with T-Mobile US, the EchoStar deal gives the company greater independence to offer its own services. Earlier this month, AT&T CEO John Stankey downplayed the threat of SpaceX’s D2D offering which bypasses operators, citing spectrum and infrastructure limitations, but LightShed Partners analyst Walter Piecyk argued that “SpaceX has the brand power and direct-to-consumer model to press that advantage”. Furthermore, according to Bloomberg, Shotwell stated: “We will be now initiating discussions with telcos in a different way,” adding “now it’s our spectrum, but we want to work with them, almost providing capacity and wholesaling capacity to their customers”. She explained that new satellites supporting the direct-to-device service are expected within the next two years, with mobile phone tests planned for late 2026.

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Bloomberg reported SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell revealed the company is partnering with chip companies during a space conference yesterday (16 September) in Paris.

Musk recently explained it will take around two years for manufacturers to modify their chips for AWS-4 spectrum, with time also needed to build satellites which can use it.

T-Mobile US is providing SpaceX’s Starlink birds with its PCS G-block which is currently being used for the operator’s T-Satellite text messaging service.

Musk hasn’t ruled out other mobile operators gaining access to Starlink’s birds to offer similar services once the deal with T-Mobile expires.

However, since SpaceX struck its deal to buy EchoStar’s AWS-4 spectrum earlier this month the mobile industry has been on edge about Musk creating a competing D2D service.

Shotwell told Bloomberg SpaceX will “be now initiating discussions with telcos in a different way”.

“Now it’s our spectrum, but we want to work with them, almost providing capacity and wholesaling capacity to their customers,” she explained to the news site.

She told Bloomberg SpaceX plans to conduct D2D mobile phone tests near the end of 2026.

The news publication noted SpaceX will still need ground-based mobile licences to enable its D2D service, which appears to be why it is willing to strike more partnerships with mobile operators.

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The strategic pivot comes after EchoStar sold its 3.45GHz and 600MHz spectrum licences to AT&T for $23 billion in August and later offloaded its AWS-4 and H-block spectrum to SpaceX for $17 billion last week. “If you transacted on either one of those pieces of spectrum, you were forced to do the second transaction,” Akhavan said today (15 September).

The spectrum sales effectively ended EchoStar’s ambition to become the fourth major US mobile network operator. During the presentation, the CEO described the shift as “a forced pivot,” explaining that while the company believed its holdings could deliver more value over time, FCC pressure made action unavoidable. “Once you start losing a critical mass of spectrum… you are no longer competitive”, added Akhavan.

The result is an EchoStar that will no longer operate a traditional wireless network, instead pivoting to a hybrid MNO/MVNO model, taking advantage of partnerships with AT&T and SpaceX. Boost Mobile will remain the primary customer-facing brand under this approach, with Akhavan emphasising that the company is committed to expanding its mobile phone business and sees it as a central growth driver: “We have great hopes for Boost.”

Ignorant
Also speaking at the event, co-founder and chairman Charlie Ergen indicated EchoStar now has both the experience and capital to expand Boost more aggressively. “We actually know what we’re doing now. We were the most ignorant people in wireless four or five years ago… we’ve learned a lot of hard lessons,” noted Egren.

Despite exiting network ownership, Akhavan highlighted the company’s long-standing focus on connectivity. “That’s been the core alley and runway for the past 40 years. We won’t give up any of that heritage,” he said. Pointing to EchoStar’s long-standing commitment to mobile tech, he stated, “you should hope to see an expansion of that if we are successful in implementing the strategy we’re talking about here.”

Akhavan also confirmed EchoStar’s corporate brand will remain purely a holding company identity and will not be consumer-facing. Customer-facing operations will continue under their established standalone brands, including Boost Mobile, Dish, Sling and HughesNet.

The transactions, which brought in billions in cash and equity, including $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock, mark a financial reset. Ergen framed the SpaceX equity as a long-term play: “If I could make one investment other than ourselves, it would be in SpaceX because they’ve got 90 per cent of the launch capability in the world today,” he stated, citing the Elon Musk-owned company’s sophisticated manufacturing capabilities. “We were going to try to interface with them anyway.”

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Top takeaways from Apple’s ‘awe dropping’ event

What happened: Apple unveiled a fresh lineup of products including the iPhone 17 series, with a new Air variant, refreshed Apple Watches and the AirPods Pro 3.

Why it matters: Apple’s event focused more on design innovation and upgrades across its product portfolio rather than on AI. “Apple’s strategy with the new product lineup is simple: increase upgrade rates and shorten replacement cycles,” said IDC VP Francisco Jeronimo. In particular, the device giant put a spotlight on its iPhone 17 series, with the iPhone 17 Air model, its thinnest device ever at 5.6mm and 5.8 ounces, featuring front and centre. Richard Windsor, founder of Radio Free Mobile, noted the Air version “could also be the precursor to a rumoured foldable in 2026 or 2027”. In addition, the Air only supports eSIMs globally. While the iPhone-maker said that more than 500 operators already support eSIM, “for those that don’t, there will be a mad panic to implement the capability as soon as possible,” stated Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight. In wearables, Apple introduced the Watch SE 3 with improved health metrics, the Series 11 with 24-hour battery life and the Ultra 3 with built-in satellite communications. Meanwhile, the new AirPods Pro 3 feature a new fit, heart-rate monitoring and enhanced noise cancellation.

SpaceX snags EchoStar spectrum for $17B

What happened: SpaceX struck a $17 billion deal to acquire EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licences, significantly boosting its spectrum portfolio to support its Starlink direct-to-device (D2D) ambitions.

Why it matters: The agreement follows regulatory scrutiny of EchoStar’s spectrum holdings after growing pressure from SpaceX, which long contended the assets underutilised. The matter reached a tipping point earlier this year in June after FCC chair Brendan Carr met with both Elon Musk and EchoStar’s Charlie Ergen at the White House. Carr reportedly delivered a “best and final offer” to Ergen, backed by presidential-level interest. Lluc Palerm, research director at Analysys Mason, called the deal a “major strategic shift for Starlink’s spectrum strategy”, stating it highlights “massive expectations from SpaceX in developing the D2D market”. Crucially, SpaceX appears to be pivoting from relying solely on MNO partnerships to owning critical spectrum outright, he noted. “MNOs must move fast and build their D2D strategy if they don’t want to miss the opportunity to tech giants such as Apple and SpaceX,” Palerm warned. Meanwhile, Roger Entner, founder of Recon Analytics, noted that EchoStar’s exit from its Open RAN-based mobile ambitions hands a decisive win to Starlink and its US partner T-Mobile.

ASML takes €1.3B stake in Mistral AI

What happened: Dutch chipmaker ASML reportedly emerged as the largest shareholder in French startup Mistral AI after leading a €1.7 billion Series C round with a hefty €1.3 billion investment.

Why it matters: The deal, which values Mistral at €11.7 billion post-money, will also land ASML a seat on the company’s board. The funding round included participation from returning investors such as Nvidia, General Catalyst and Bpifrance. The AI player highlighted plans to double down on custom, decentralised AI solutions aimed at solving complex industrial and engineering challenges.The latest round marks a sharp jump from Mistral’s last raise of €600 million, which valued the AI startup at €6 billion in 2024, according to the Financial Times. Peter Jarich, head of GSMA Intelligence, noted the tie-up between ASML’s hardware business and Mistral’s AI focus seemed “tenuous”. While Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch noted the company aims “to help ASML and its numerous partners solve current and future engineering challenges through AI, and ultimately to advance the full semiconductor and AI value chain”, Jarich argued, “you wouldn’t need to make a big investment to secure that”. Indeed, ASML’s hefty investment could reflect growing pressure on Europe to establish its own digital infrastructure, independent of US and Chinese platforms. “All the news suggested one driver: support for European tech sovereignty,” Jarich added.

The post Apple airs latest line; SpaceX splashes $17B on spectrum appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Speaking on the All-In Podcast yesterday (9 August,) Musk explained the spectrum would enable SpaceX to deliver high-bandwidth connectivity directly from Starlink satellites to phones.

He noted some device hardware would need to be changed.

“Since these frequencies aren’t supported in current phones, the chipset has to be modified to add these frequencies and that probably is a two-year time frame.”

“The phones that are able to use the spectrum that was acquired probably start shipping in around two years.”

“And then we also need to build the satellites that are going to communicate on those frequencies.”

He stated SpaceX is working with handset makers to add the frequencies to phones.

“The satellites and the phones will then handshake very well to achieve high-bandwidth connectivity, but the net effect is that you should be able to watch videos anywhere on your phone.”

Starlink currently provisions a text messaging service for T-Mobile US, but providing video to customers’ phones and homes would give it a leg-up on competitors AST SpaceMobile, Apple/Globalstar and Lynk Global.

Musk was asked if the service would compete directly against mobile operators.

“To be clear, we’re not going to put the other carriers out of business. They’re still going to be around because they own a lot of spectrum,” he said.

When asked if SpaceX could buy mobile operators to gain more spectrum, Musk seemingly joked it is “not out of the question”.

Operator confidence
AT&T CEO John Stankey yesterday (9 September) told an investor conference yesterday he does not see SpaceX offering a D2D service which bypasses operators.

“Does 40MHz of spectrum allow for a robust terrestrial replacement? As we sit here today, the answer to that is no,” Stankey said.

“Over time, could that happen? Could somebody make a commitment to do something maybe different? Sure, it could happen.”

The CEO pointed to the failure of EchoStar to become the fourth mobile player in the US and the need for ground infrastructure to support a D2D service as barriers for SpaceX.

LightShed Partners analyst Walter Piecyk stated in a research note following the podcast the mobile industry “is clearly vulnerable to disruption and SpaceX has the brand power and direct-to-consumer model to press that advantage”.

“We highly doubt SpaceX has any interest in the people or infrastructure of a telco, there are plenty of compelling spectrum assets in and outside of those carriers to consider.”

Instead, he stated “an MVNO deal will be essential if SpaceX wants to deliver a Starlink phone directly to consumers”.

The post Musk outlines SpaceX D2D spectrum strategy appeared first on Mobile World Live.

It will pay EchoStar $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock. SpaceX also agreed to fund a total of about $2 billion in cash interest payments on EchoStar’s debt through to November 2027.

Prior to reaching a $23 billion deal with AT&T last month, EchoStar faced a debt load of approximately $26.4 billion, according to Roger Entner, founder and analyst at Recon Analytics.

SpaceX coveted EchoStar’s AWS-4 spectrum for its Starlink satellite-based broadband service. It contended the spectrum owned by Charlie Ergen-backed EchoStar was underutilised.

Matters came to a head in May when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) called out EchoStar’s use of  AWS-4 spectrum licences. SpaceX had a strong ally in FCC chair Brendan Carr, who presented EchoStar’s Ergen with his “best and final offer” following a meeting by both with President Donald Trump in June.

The impact for SpaceX is massive, according to Entner. He posted on LinkedIn the real winner of EchoStar’s decision to shutter most of its open RAN-based network is Starlink and partner T-Mobile US.

“A partnership between Starlink and T-Mobile using this 40MHz block would create a massive, ubiquitous network’ that blows competitors’ satellite strategies completely out of the water and cements T-Mobile’s speed advantage for years,” he stated.

While Starlink enjoys an exclusive US partnership with T-Mobile, Musk posted on X last year the satellite operator will seek deals with rival mobile service providers.

As part of the deal, SpaceX and EchoStar will enter into a long-term commercial agreement, which will enable EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers to access SpaceX’s Starlink direct-to-cell service. 

The agreement also calls into question EchoStar’s $13 billion contract with MDA Space to build low Earth orbit (LEO) birds for a new non-terrestrial network (NTN) for its direct-to-device (D2D) satellite constellation. EchoStar seemingly no longer needs those birds due to the partnership with SpaceX.

The two companies stated the deal will close once it receives customary regulatory approvals.

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The Japanese operator’s au Starlink Direct service adds data connectivity to an existing D2D messaging option and is currently configured for 19 apps on Google’s Pixel 10 series and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 models.

KDDI was frank about the capabilities of the D2D arrangement, noting service availability relies on the sky being visible, potential latency in sending and receiving messages and the “connection may be unstable”.

The operator expects the Starlink set-up to bridge an approximately 40 per cent gap in its geographic coverage.

KDDI emphasised its population coverage stands at 99.9 per cent.

It stated “UQ Mobile, povo and other carrier users” will be able to sign up to au Starlink Direct from 1 September, with a special tariff of JPY1,650 ($11.21) per month commencing after a promotional free period spanning three months.

Google Maps, X, and various weather and environmental information apps are among the first 19 accessible over the D2D connection, and KDDI plans to provide developer support to boost the number of compatible services.

KDDI originally connected with SpaceX in 2022 and has since employed Starlink connectivity in building projects and maritime services.

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Piecyk stated on LightShed Partners’ site a decision by EchoStar to decommission its open RAN network and convert Boost Mobile to a hybrid MNO running on AT&T’s network “is just the first step and the process is far from complete”.

He noted AT&T’s $23 billion deal to buy EchoStar’s 3.45GHz and 600MHz spectrum licences excluded the latter’s AWS-4 spectrum which is coveted by SpaceX.

FCC chair Brendan Carr appeared to take up SpaceX’s spectrum cause in May, when he met with EchoStar co-founder and chair Charlie Ergen and President Donald Trump to discuss spectrum rights.

Piecyk stated Carr played a “critical role in helping to resolve the EchoStar mess”, but noted “there is much more work to be done and Carr will continue to play a lead role”.

“Regardless of who ends up with EchoStar’s remaining spectrum, there is an opportunity emerging for SpaceX to enter the mobile wireless business in the US.”

“SpaceX’s strong brand and the perception that Starlink can deliver ubiquitous coverage position Elon Musk to credibly enter the US wireless market.”

He explained with industry margins approaching 60 per cent, “the sector is an attractive target for new competition, particularly from a player with Musk’s scale and consumer reach”.

Grease
Piecyk suggested the FCC could smooth SpaceX’s mobile path by securing favourable wholesale terms for an MVNO arrangement, which would lower the barrier to entry.

“Musk could pursue such a deal directly with EchoStar, which continues to discuss launching its own LEO constellation, or deepen SpaceX’s existing partnership with T-Mobile [US], where the companies are already collaborating to extend satellite coverage to mobile subscribers.”

Either avenue could employ SpaceX’s reputation for innovation “to challenge incumbents in a market that has long been defined by high margins and limited disruption”.

“Can you imagine a Starlink phone hitting the market powered by a Grok Assistant?”

With EchoStar expected to sell more of its spectrum, the analyst speculated the administration of President Trump could take an equity stake as part of a broader resolution.

“Such an outcome could also further strengthen Commissioner Carr’s standing with Trump by demonstrating his ability to deliver another strategic minority stake into the US coffers.”

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Starting in 2026 members of Atmos Rewards, a blended loyalty programme by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, will be able log into the advertising-free Wi-Fi service with additional perks to be announced later.

It also provides connectivity for Alaska Airline employees including flight attendants, ground crews and pilots.

The partnership builds on T-Mobile’s long-standing reputation for providing free inflight connectivity since 2014.

Alaska Airlines plans a full fleetwide installation of Wi-Fi by 2027, covering regional, narrowbody and widebody aircraft.

In addition to Alaska Airlines, the operator offers eligible customers in-flight connectivity on select American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines flights.

T-Mobile struck a connectivity deal with SpaceX’s Starlink in 2022 before launching the direct-to-device service nationwide in July 2025.

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Bloomberg reported Saudia Airlines is finalising a deal with Starlink to employ its connectivity offering across a fleet of more than 140 aircraft, giving Musk a big foothold in the Gulf region.

If a deal is finalised, Starlink would emerge as a rival to Neo Space Group, which is backed by the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund and is in the process of establishing its own satellite-based in-flight play.

It would also step up competition with established satellite operators including Viasat and Inmarsat which have been targeting the segment.

Talks with Saudia Airlines adds to other advanced discussions between Starlink and airlines including Emirates and Gulf Air, along with an existing Qatar Airways deal to offer Wi-Fi on select aircraft.

SpaceX set up a dedicated division within Starlink to oversee its entry to the in-flight connectivity segment in 2022. At the time, it charged $12,500 to $25,000 a month for the service, with a one-time hardware fee of $150,000.

Bloomberg reported the upfront hardware charge now ranges from between $300,000 to $500,000, in addition to a monthly fee for every seat.

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During a pilot conducted in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine, Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov and Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov used regular 4G smartphones to send messages through Starlink’s D2D satellite offering and terrestrial networks.

The feat comes eight months after the pair struck a deal to introduce space-based connectivity in Ukraine and two months after securing a regulatory licence to begin conducting tests.

There are plans to launch commercial services in Q4.

Milestone
Kyivstar stated Starlink’s D2D data service which will enable video communication through messaging apps is still being developed and tested, but the trial is a major milestone in integrating satellite connectivity into Ukraine’s telecoms infrastructure and confirmed the technology’s viability for the nation.

Fedorov said it is an important step in the development of infrastructure which will provide access to communication even in places where traditional networks are absent.

He also noted the challenges facing the operator as a result of the ongoing Ukraine, Russia war, but added there is a commitment to develop solutions “because reliable communications under any circumstances and in any location is a key priority”.

Komarov added the test was a breakthrough for Ukraine and Kyivstar.

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Reuters, citing three sources, reported Musk told a senior SpaceX engineer to cut coverage in several areas, including Kherson. His decision also impacted other areas seized by Russia, including part of Donetsk province further east.

The loss of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite services caused a communications blackout for Ukrainian troops near the front lines. The signal loss impacted drones that were surveilling Russian forces and long-range artillery units which relied on the service to direct their fire, according to the news agency.

According to a Ukrainian military official and a military advisor, troops were unable to encircle a Russian position in the town of Beryslav, east of Kherson.

While Ukraine’s armed forces were eventually able to reclaim Beryslav, the city of Kherson and some additional territory Russia had occupied, Reuters reported it was the first known instance of Musk shutting down Starlink over a battlefield.

The news agency explained Musk’s decision may have been related to his concern Russia would retaliate with nuclear weapons.  

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Veon-owned Kyivstar stated it received the green light from the Ukraine National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services, following successful integration of the operator’s core mobile network with Starlink’s satellite-based service.

The companies added they completed testing on the integration of Kyivstar’s SIMs with Starlink’s satellite network at a partner technology evaluation lab in the US.

They added the tests confirmed Kyivstar SIMs are compatible with Starlink’s D2D system.

Elon Musk-owned Starlink struck a deal to introduce space-based connectivity to Ukraine at the start of 2025, with plans to offer SMS and OTT messaging functionality beginning in Q4, before expanding to voice and data in the future.

Field testing is planned to commence in select Ukrainian regions in the coming months.

Kyivstar added it already allocated the required spectrum to launch the service and is adapting its infrastructure to enable this.

Deal doubts
The initial agreement was thrown into doubt shortly after being signed, with media outlets reporting at the time the European Union was seeking a replacement satellite connectivity provider due to worsening relations between Europe and the US, given Musk’s strong links to President Donald Trump.

Musk has since left the US government in an official capacity and was embroiled in a high-profile spat with President Trump this month.

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The approval of its bid for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite licence required a green light from the Ministry of Home Affairs and comes after the company agreed to comply with security and data localisation rules, including adding interception capabilities and establishing a local command and control centre, the newspaper wrote.

Starlink also needs clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, which is reportedly in the final stages.

The Department of Telecommunications gave Starlink conditional approval to launch its broadband offering in May.

Around the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India proposed charging satellite communication providers 4 per cent of their adjusted gross revenue as a spectrum usage fee, with a five-year licensing period.

SpaceX set up an Indian subsidiary in 2021, and signed deals with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to launch Starlink services.

The post Starlink clears key India hurdle appeared first on Mobile World Live.

To access the new service, customers on select plans need a compatible mobile device, limited to Samsung Galaxy S25 series handsets at the start, which has been updated with the latest software.

In a post on the operator’s website, consumer executive Tom Beach noted the service will be rolled out to more devices, without specifying a timeframe.

Beach explained satellite messaging is an intermittent service, with the time it takes to send and receive messages dependent on location, the device and the availability of Starlink direct-to-mobile satellites.

“This means customers are likely to find that some messages are sent or received almost instantly, while others may take many minutes or longer.”

He added the satellite-to-mobile capability is expected to be expanded to data and voice calls.

The operator said in May the launch was coming following extensive testing.

The post Telstra goes live with sat-to-mobile messaging appeared first on Mobile World Live.

An investigation found SpaceX-owned Starlink missed the filing deadline on four occasions between October 2023 and July 2024. It has since provided the outstanding reports and been cooperative with the ACMA throughout the investigation.

All service providers with more than 30,000 active customers are required to file complaint reports to the ACMA within 30 days of the end of each quarter.

ACMA member Samantha Yorke noted it monitors operator complaints data to ensure they are meeting their obligations towards customers and as a means of tracking where improvements may be needed.

The ACMA said it recently started publishing rankings of 34 domestic telecoms operators’ customer complaint handling metrics.

Of the three major telcos, Telstra ranked 20th in number of complaints received per 10,000 services, followed by Optus (28th) and TPG Telecom (33rd). Vonex, which focuses on the enterprise market, ranked top, receiving the fewest complaints.

The industry average to resolve complaints was 6.2 days, with TPG Telecom reporting an average of two days, Optus six and Telstra nine.

The post Starlink faces Australia regulatory fire appeared first on Mobile World Live.

In a post on X, Starlink wrote its high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in the South Asia country.

The company offers two monthly plans, BDT4,200 ($34.57) and BDT6,000, with both requiring an installation fee of BDT47,000, The Daily Star reported.

The launch comes less than a month after receiving a licence from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission late in April.

The newspaper didn’t mention the name of the local operator marketing the service.

In early May, the company received conditional approval to launch the service in India. SpaceX has signed deals with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to launch Starlink services in the country.

In Australia Telstra reached an agreement with SpaceX in January to deliver satellite-to-mobile service to customers in remote areas, while rival Optus is working with SpaceX to deliver satellite connectivity, with an initial focus on SMS before launching voice and data services.

The post Starlink fires up service in Bangladesh appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Indian business news channel CNBC-TV18 reported the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued letter of intent to Starlink, a sign the green light is imminent.

The outlet noted the DoT issued the same letter to Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications before distributing operating licences.

SpaceX has been attempting to gain a foothold in India since 2022, however it faced roadblocks from the government over security concerns and opposition from the nation’s traditional operators.

Musk and Reliance Industries boss Mukesh Ambani even clashed over the issue, after the Indian billionaire appeared to call on politicians to auction spectrum for satellite services rather than allocating the airwaves.

Ambani argued an auction should have been held instead of handing out licences to players like SpaceX, which could create an uneven playing field.

However, SpaceX has since signed deals with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to launch Starlink services, suggesting any issues had been addressed.

The post Starlink edges closer to India clearance appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Airtel Africa, which is majority owned by Bharti Airtel, stated it would work with SpaceX to launch Starlink services for customers in all 14 of its operating markets in the region.

The Elon Musk-owned space entity currently has the requisite licences in nine of the locations, with the process to secure the remaining five under way.

Airtel Africa will use the partnership to enhance satellite connectivity offerings, targeting enterprises, businesses and social-economic communities like schools, health centres and rural parts of the continent. The operator will also explore rural coverage expansion through cellular backhauling.

The duo stated they aim to work together in other areas to promote digital inclusion, with SpaceX seeking to benefit from Airtel Africa’s ground infrastructure.

Sunil Taldar, MD and CEO of Airtel Africa, said the partnership demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing digital connectivity in the region.

VP of Starlink business operations Chad Gibbs noted Starlink is available in 20 African markets and it is focused on ensuring its technology benefits as many people as possible.

SpaceX struck deals with Bharti Airtel and its rival Reliance Jio last month to launch Starlink services in India, subject to regulatory approval.

The post Airtel deepens Starlink ties with Africa deal appeared first on Mobile World Live.

“The reports that the EU and other European countries are exploring their options with SES don’t come as a surprise, given recent geopolitical tensions,” explained Joe Gardiner, research analyst at CCS.

The EU first approached operators including SES and Eutelsat in March following rising tensions with the US, and the former’s CEO Adel Al-Saleh told Reuters this week these initial discussions have moved beyond short-term plans to mid- and long-term cooperation models.

“And what we’re seeing is all of the European governments are serious about increasing their defence spending,” he explained. “There are alternatives, not to completely replace Starlink, that’s not possible, but to augment and complement Starlink.”

Last month, concerns in particular were raised over a deal between Starlink and Ukraine, which is intended to provide the country with satellite services from the Elon Musk company.

Gardiner explained the EU has been reviewing its satellite dependencies following increased uncertainty in its relationship with the US and concerns over Starlink’s role in Ukraine. Earlier this year, there was speculation Eutelsat’s OneWeb network could be used in place of Starlink to support Ukraine, highlighting the bloc’s vulnerability. In Gardiner’s view, while the EU is investing in its own sovereign constellation, Iris2, that system isn’t expected to be operational until 2030, prompting the need for interim solutions and risk mitigation.

Competition
The EU’s search for alternatives comes as competition in the low Earth orbit satellite space intensifies, with players including Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper and China’s SpaceSail rolling out large-scale constellations.

However, Al-Saleh told the publication that global network resilience goes beyond a need for strengthening domestic satellite capabilities, highlighting the pitfalls of reliance on any single player. “It is not right to say they just want to avoid Starlink or the Chinese. They want to avoid being dependent on one or two providers. They want to have flexibility.”

However, Gardiner noted that SES “will attempt to position itself as digitally inclusive and offering sovereign networks, which will appeal to the European governments”. While the company lacks a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation like Starlink, “it is unable to offer low-latency options, though it does have a MEO (medium Earth orbit) constellation which bridges the gap in terms of latency between GEO (geostationary Earth orbit) and LEO,” he added.

The Luxembourg-based company announced a $3.1 billion deal last year to acquire rival Intelsat, a move aimed at combining resources to boost competitiveness in the space industry.

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