The integration of satellites into terrestrial mobile networks is gathering unprecedented momentum, shifting from niche applications into the mainstream of telecoms strategy.  

Once the preserve of specialist satphones and maritime connectivity, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) are now being positioned as a natural extension of 5G, and a foundation for the next wave of mobile innovation. 

As Barbara Pareglio, senior technical director and smart mobility lead at the GSMA puts it: “The big change is using the same standards and the same devices we already have. Instead of carrying two phones, consumers want a single smartphone that can connect seamlessly whether it’s through a tower or a satellite. That’s where the noise is coming from, and that’s where the opportunity lies.” 

Closing the last 4% 

According to GSMA’s Mobile Economy Report 2024, 96% of the world’s population already lives under mobile broadband coverage. The remaining 4% represents some of the most remote, sparsely populated and hard-to-reach geographies. Building terrestrial infrastructure in such areas is commercially prohibitive. Here, satellites step in as a complementary layer of coverage. 

Pareglio stresses that this is not about satellites replacing terrestrial networks but enhancing them: “Satellite has always been a complementary service. What’s changing is the quality, the price point, and the ease of integration. That makes it much more attractive to mobile operators.” 

Coverage is only part of the equation. As GSMA’s June 2025 whitepaper on NTN highlights, global population is heavily concentrated in just 20% of landmass. Vast seas and sparsely populated territories still lack consistent coverage. The growth of low-earth orbit (LEO) constellations, with shorter lifespans and rapid technology refresh cycles, adds further momentum. Where geostationary (GEO) satellites had lifespans of 20+ years, new LEO deployments allow faster iteration and adaptation, better aligned with the pace of terrestrial networks. 

Consumer services: From safety to everyday connectivity 

For consumers, the immediate benefits are clear. Satellite-backed messaging services, like those introduced with Apple’s iPhone 14 and Huawei’s Mate 50, demonstrate the potential of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. These services use existing mobile satellite spectrum to provide emergency SOS and messaging in areas without terrestrial coverage. 

“Today it starts with small amounts of data, messages and alerts. But the vision is to eventually support calls and richer services as technology evolves,” explains Pareglio. “It’s about giving users confidence that they can stay connected even in the mountains or offshore.” 

This has clear safety implications, from hikers and sailors to remote workers. But it also reinforces a more subtle consumer expectation: connectivity everywhere, all the time. For mobile operators, offering such services enhances brand value and customer retention. 

IoT, logistics and mobility: The enterprise frontier 

Beyond consumers, NTN promises to reshape enterprise and IoT applications. Supply chains, utilities and transport networks depend on ubiquitous, resilient connectivity. IoT devices tracking trucks, shipping containers or pipelines cannot rely solely on terrestrial coverage. 

The GSMA whitepaper points to use cases across maritime and aviation communications, smart agriculture, utilities monitoring, and industrial IoT in remote environments. Pareglio notes strong demand from automotive players as well: “Automotive has big interest, because vehicles travel through areas with no coverage. At the moment the focus is emergency-type services, but longer term there’s potential for advanced telematics and V2X communication via satellite.” 

For mobile operators, this opens up fresh revenue streams, from premium IoT services to industry-specific offerings that blend terrestrial and satellite coverage. For satellite operators, it extends their relevance beyond traditional verticals into the heart of mainstream connectivity. 

Resilience and public safety

Natural disasters and infrastructure outages have underscored the importance of resilience. When subsea cable cuts disrupted connectivity in the Red Sea, or when Tonga’s volcanic eruption severed fibre links, satellites provided rapid emergency coverage. 

Pareglio highlights Japan’s leadership in this space: “Japan has invested heavily in resilience – not just satellites but also drones and high-altitude platforms – because they are so prone to disasters. For governments, NTN is not just about coverage but about ensuring national security and disaster response.” 

While such use cases may not generate the bulk of satellite operator revenues, they are critical for governments and regulators. They also strengthen the argument for closer MNO–SNO partnerships. 

Interoperability and business models

A recurring theme is interoperability. Historically, operators seeking satellite partnerships faced bespoke integrations with limited flexibility. By adopting 3GPP standards for NTN, the industry is moving towards roaming-based models, where mobile operators can select satellite partners more dynamically. 

“Using standards makes integration much more fluent,” says Pareglio. “Operators could choose a close integration or keep it more open with roaming agreements. They may even work with multiple partners for different purposes – one for IoT, another for emergency services.”

This is already visible. T-Mobile has struck multiple satellite partnerships, including with SpaceX’s Starlink and Viasat. Similar exploratory deals are proliferating as operators seek to test business cases and service models. 

Technical and regulatory challenges 

None of this comes without hurdles. Technical issues include latency, Doppler effects from fast-moving LEO satellites, and seamless handovers between terrestrial and satellite links. Device ecosystems are still catching up, with only a handful of smartphones currently supporting 3GPP NTN. 

Regulation is equally complex. Spectrum harmonisation, coexistence with terrestrial IMT bands, and cross-border coordination remain unresolved. As Pareglio notes, “For us the priority is making sure satellite use does not interfere with terrestrial IMT spectrum. Beyond that, there’s a lot of discussion about what fair regulation looks like, particularly if the same services are provided via satellite and terrestrial.” 

Some regulators, such as the FCC in the US, have already introduced frameworks like Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS). But globally, approaches remain fragmented. 

Collaboration and the road ahead 

The GSMA is playing a convening role through its NTN Community, launched in 2023. This brings together MNOs, SNOs, chipset makers and infrastructure vendors. The aim is to drive interoperability, avoid duplication and focus investment on commercially viable services. 

International collaboration is also accelerating. The GSMA recently signed a cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency to direct research funding towards commercially relevant NTN use cases. Partnerships with groups like the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) and the Global Satellite Operator’s Association (GSOA) add further momentum. 

The standards roadmap is equally important. 3GPP Releases 17 and 18 established the basis for IoT-NTN and NR-NTN. Release 19, expected in late 2025, will introduce regenerative payloads, essentially putting base stations in orbit, to reduce latency and enhance capabilities. Future Releases will integrate NTN more tightly into 5G and pave the way for 6G-era convergence. 

From niche to necessity 

Satellite integration is no longer a futuristic concept or a niche service for specialists. It is fast becoming a core component of mobile network strategy. The drivers are clear: closing the coverage gap, enabling new IoT applications, supporting resilience, and meeting consumer expectations of ubiquitous connectivity. 

As Pareglio summarises: “Our focus is always interoperability, making sure your phone works wherever you are. By applying the same principle to satellite, we create new opportunities for operators, new services for consumers, and a stronger, more resilient global network.” 

The journey is still in its exploratory phase, but the trajectory is unmistakable. As terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks converge, the telecoms industry is preparing to deliver on its most ambitious promise yet: connectivity everywhere, for everything, all the time. 

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