Satellite company profiles updated for 2025

One key theme of our findings this year is that many satellite companies are hoping to gain or retain access to mobile satellite spectrum (MSSMobile-satellite service (MSS) describes a…).

MSS spectrum is scarce, and many existing authorisations date back decades. Yet as satellite direct-to-device (D2D) continues to generate interest, there is more competition than ever for MSS spectrum.

In the US, for example, SpaceX (the owner of Starlink) has submitted an application to the regulator, the FCC, seeking access to the 2 GHz band. AST SpaceMobile, meanwhile, is acquiring L-band MSS spectrum rights from bankrupt Ligado Networks. In the European Union, the European Commission is consulting on demand for MSS spectrum as it considers whether to renew existing licenses or launch a new selection process.

Satellite operators are also becoming more interested in joining forces with other companies in the same space (no pun intended). Lynk is now working closely with SES, while AST SpaceMobile has teamed up with Vodafone.

The other key trend is the integration of non-terrestrial networksNon-terrestrial Networks (NTN) are wireles… (NTN) into 4G and 5G standards. Skylo, for example, has been proactive in adopting 3GPP3GPP stands for the Third Generation Partn… standards, while Iridium has switched from a proprietary to a 3GPP standards-based approach for satellite direct-to-device connectivity.

All the updated satellite profiles are now available to PolicyTracker Spectrum Research Service subscribers.

• AST SpaceMobile
• Echostar
• Eutelsat/OneWeb
• Globalstar
• Iridium
• Amazon Kuiper
• Lynk
• SES
• Skylo
• Starlink
• Telesat
• Viasat