Chunghwa Telecom is partnering with Astranis to launch Taiwan’s first dedicated geostationary satellite, enhancing national connectivity and infrastructure resilience. Scheduled for deployment by 2025, the project is part of a larger satellite program and reflects Taiwan’s commitment to secure communication systems.
The FCC has approved AT&T and AST SpaceMobile to test direct-to-cell satellite connectivity for FirstNet. This initiative aims to enhance public safety communications by extending reliable service to remote and disaster-affected areas through low Earth orbit satellites.
KDDI and Okinawa Cellular, in partnership with Starlink, have launched au Starlink Direct — Japan’s first direct-to-device satellite service. Starting April 10, 2025, au users can enjoy seamless connectivity even beyond network zones, enabling emergency alerts, location sharing, and AI-powered assistance, all at no extra cost.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is on the cusp of launching its first major batch of satellites, marking a significant step toward global satellite broadband. Scheduled for April 9th, the KA-01 mission will deploy 27 satellites, advancing Amazon’s venture into offering low-latency internet worldwide.
Ofcom’s bold proposal positions the UK as Europe’s pioneer in direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services, enhancing mobile connectivity by bypassing traditional equipment. Utilizing existing 4G and 5G spectrum, this approach promises to boost rural coverage and drive innovation.
Spain has invested €13.8M in Sateliot to enhance its LEO satellite constellation for defense, security, and logistics. With €58.8M raised in its Series B round, plus a €30M EIB loan, Sateliot aims to revolutionize global IoT connectivity via 5G satellites, targeting €1B revenue by 2030.
Verizon has expanded its satellite-based direct-to-cell texting service, enhancing connectivity for select Android users. This upgrade enables text messaging via satellite, benefiting those outside traditional networks.
At MWC 2025, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) announced a major leap in satellite IoT, partnering with Skylo and Sateliot to offer 5G-compatible NB-IoT services via GEO and LEO satellites. This move enhances global IoT coverage, addressing connectivity gaps in remote areas and benefiting industries like logistics and agriculture.
AST SpaceMobile has secured a $43 million US government contract, showcasing its robust position in satellite communications. This collaboration aims to deploy advanced Block 2 BlueBird satellites, featuring expansive phased-array antennas, to enhance government connectivity.
Mavenir and Terrestar Solutions achieved a major milestone in satellite communications by completing a Voice over NB-IoT call using Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) on a 3GPP-standardized S-band spectrum. This breakthrough paves the way for NTN-based NB-IoT solutions, future 5G integration, and expanded connectivity.
