Telcos pick satellite sides in mobile broadband space race

Mobile operators are lining up behind competing satellite partners as they prepare for direct-to-device mobile broadband.

SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile have pulled in a growing number of telcos that want to extend coverage beyond traditional cell towers, especially in rural and remote areas. These deals promise phone connectivity via satellites without special hardware, using standard smartphones. Other operators are testing rival options from Lynk Global and Skylo, which also target gaps in coverage but take different technical and commercial paths. The industry now faces a split landscape as telcos weigh cost, performance, regulatory risk, and time-to-market in choosing satellite partners.