Ookla says D2D connections rose 24.5% from July 2025 to March 2026
- Ookla said global direct-to-device (D2D) connections increased 24.5% between July 2025 and March 2026.
- Ookla also said only a small share of total mobile subscribers have connected their smartphones to a satellite.
- The data points to rising satellite-to-smartphone use, but from a low base.
Ookla said global direct-to-device (D2D) connections rose 24.5% from July 2025 to March 2026. Ookla also said only a small percentage of overall mobile users have connected their smartphones to a satellite.
The figures cited by Light Reading describe growth in D2D usage over the eight-month period, but the source excerpt does not provide a total number of connections or the exact share of mobile subscribers that have used satellite links. D2D refers to satellite connectivity that links directly to consumer smartphones rather than through a separate satellite terminal.
The update adds to broader tracking of non-terrestrial mobile connectivity as operators, satellite companies, and device makers test or expand direct smartphone links. In the eSIM market, D2D matters because satellite-capable mobile services can intersect with device provisioning, operator support, and standards-based remote SIM provisioning (RSP), although the source does not name specific operators, countries, devices, or eSIM standards in this report.
Related Questions
- How fast are D2D satellite connections growing?
- Ookla said D2D connections grew 24.5% globally between July 2025 and March 2026.
- Have many mobile subscribers used satellite-to-phone service?
- No. Ookla said only a small percentage of overall mobile subscribers have connected their smartphones to a satellite.
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