Satellite and Direct-to-Device: navigating the Starlink effect in a sector moving at lightspeed

Satellite connectivity is entering a new phase. After years of investment, experimentation and proof-of-concept activity, 2026 is emerging as a pivotal year for the commercialisation of direct-to-device (D2D) and the wider integration of satellite and terrestrial networks. But the market is evolving beyond the question of whether satellite can extend mobile coverage. Increasingly, the defining issues are how the competitive landscape is changing, which commercial models will succeed, and what role telcos will play in the emerging satellite-enabled connectivity ecosystem.

The past 6 months have accelerated this shift. SpaceX’s IPO has further highlighted the scale and capital intensity of the Starlink model, while Amazon’s planned acquisition of Globalstar brings spectrum and satellite capabilities into the expanding Amazon Leo ecosystem. Rocket Lab’s planned acquisition of Iridium points to another dimension of consolidation and vertical integration, potentially combining launch, satellite manufacturing and a global communications network within a single platform.

These developments raise broader questions about the future structure of the satellite market. Starlink has established a significant first-mover advantage and demonstrated the benefits of scale and vertical integration, while AST SpaceMobile, Amazon Leo, Eutelsat OneWeb, Viasat and a growing number of specialist constellations are pursuing different approaches to connectivity, spectrum, technology and partnerships. For D2D in particular, the competitive landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, with providers pursuing different routes to commercial scale.

The Middle East provides a particularly relevant lens through which to examine these global developments. The region is already seeing growing satellite-telco collaboration as operators explore satellite connectivity to extend coverage, improve network resilience, support roaming and serve customers and businesses in remote or difficult-to-reach environments. MWC Doha provides an opportunity to bring regional operators together with the wider global satellite ecosystem to consider how these trends will translate into the Middle Eastern region.

The roundtable will focus on three key questions:

• The changing competitive landscape for satellite network operators, and the Starlink effect: how is Starlink changing expectations around scale, cost, coverage and speed to market? How are competing constellation providers responding through consolidation, vertical integration, partnerships and differentiated technology strategies? And what will the satellite market look like as more players move from deployment to commercialisation?
• Potential commercial routes to market for D2D providers: Which models offer the most viable path to scale? How might commercial models differ between consumer, enterprise and IoT markets, and what influence will spectrum constraints and regulatory considerations play?
• Implications for telcos: what does the emergence of increasingly powerful and vertically integrated satellite providers mean for mobile operators? Where should telcos sit in the D2D value chain, and how can they retain customer ownership while using satellite to extend coverage and create new revenue opportunities? Do neutral host models – such as the Equatys JV between Viasat and Space42 – hold promise or will we see other attempts by SNOs to go direct to consumer?

Against the backdrop of rapid consolidation, increasing vertical integration and accelerating D2D deployment, this roundtable will examine how the global satellite market is being reshaped, and what these changes mean for the strategic choices facing Middle Eastern telcos.