UMVA has learned that a groundbreaking demonstration of two-way satellite communications directly to standard smartphones is set to take place in Germany, marking a significant milestone in the development of non-terrestrial network strategy for Europe.
The test, to be conducted by OQ Technology and Telefónica Germany, will evaluate the feasibility of direct-to-device satellite connectivity using terrestrial mobile spectrum, with a focus on messaging and voice-based services delivered directly from space to unmodified smartphones, including iPhone, Samsung, and Google devices.
This development is crucial as it tackles the complex issue of integrating satellite links into existing mobile networks, which are regulated, spectrum-constrained, and commercially controlled by terrestrial operators. The goal is to provide coverage that can be seamlessly integrated without requiring new hardware in every endpoint.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the demonstration will utilize OQ Technology's multi-band direct-to-device payload technology, combined with Telefónica Germany's licensed frequencies, to assess achievable data performance, spectrum coexistence, and direct-to-device communications scenarios in areas where expanding ground infrastructure is challenging.
What sets this project apart from other satellite IoT announcements is its use of standard handsets, mobile operator spectrum, and a 3GPP-based payload approach. This multi-band positioning enables a technical path across satellite-designated and mobile spectrum bands, paving the way for a more operator-led non-terrestrial network model.
This approach preserves a clearer role for mobile network operators in spectrum control and service integration, rather than bypassing them entirely. However, it also places more responsibility on operators and satellite partners to manage coexistence with terrestrial networks and define when traffic should move between ground and space links.
The German demonstration has significant implications for IoT, particularly in terms of continuity of service in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable or uneconomic. For industrial IoT, logistics, utilities, and public-sector deployments, this technology could provide a vital resilience layer, ensuring reliable communications in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
For OEMs, this development reinforces the importance of tracking 3GPP NTN compatibility, while for system integrators, hybrid terrestrial-satellite coverage could revolutionize how remote assets are specified. Enterprises should view this technology as a potential game-changer, offering a new level of resilience and reliability in their communications infrastructure.
The European context of this project is also noteworthy, as it involves a European satellite operator and a German mobile network operator testing an architecture based on open standards and licensed spectrum. As NTN features continue to evolve within 3GPP standardization and future 6G discussions, demonstrations like this one will help shape the future of satellite-mobile communications.
