LIVE FROM MWL UNWRAPPED: THE 5G EVOLUTION: Skylo Technologies co-founder Tarun Gupta forecast dynamic changes in the satellite communications market within the next two years, tipping further consolidation and raising the prospect of satellite-first consumer mobile services.

Discussing expectations for the hot but crowded market in the next 12-24 months, Gupta told Mobile World Live he anticipated some major shifts, including the possibility of “a direct consumer play from satellite”.

 “When you think about today, in my opinion the amount of time you’re on your phone that you’re actually on cellular is actually quite low,” he said.

“If all I need is e-mail or directions, texting and perhaps light video while I’m on cellular, then satellite can work, and that can be the primary mode of communication where your offload is just like Wi-Fi today”.

Where satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services to standard smartphones are currently available this is through agreements with operators. These are generally limited to basic applications like emergency messaging and navigation.

Skylo progress
Discussing its own offering, which is used by customers in the automotive, IoT and consumer sectors (the latter via a high-profile offering with Verizon via Google Pixel and Samsung S25 devices), he explained it had been working to get technology included in further device chipsets.

Gupta expects a number of operators to “bring in and take the NTN service” to increase alongside new devices in the marketplace, “whether that’s smartphones, more IoT devices or [those from] tier one automotive manufacturers.”

Currently, Gupta said Skylo has agreements with around 20 company customers.

He also anticipates greater use case support, noting having started with SOS and SMS, “now you’ll start to see light data”.

While Gupta stated one way to monetise satellite for operators was as part of a consumer’s monthly bill, he added carriers may think about it a little differently, indicating the potential to use it to help migrate people onto more higher value plans.

“I think carriers are viewing this as a tool in their toolkit where it’s not just saying how do we pass on additional costs to the consumer,” he said, citing its use in situations where operators “don’t need to install or erect a microcell, microcell or picocell in an area” saving capex.