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Convergence Comes of Age: 2026 Shifts Satellite Promise into Commercial Reality
For the better part of a decade, the promise of satellite-to-handset connectivity has sat somewhere between trial and theory. With the first commercial direct-to-device (D2D) constellations now scaling up and 3GPP standards maturing,  it will become harder for users to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), with connectivity blending seamlessly between the two.

This convergence has become a strategic imperative. Network coverage is still one of the main purchase drivers for subscribers and mobile and satellite operators are aligning to build unified, resilient networks that delivers seamless global coverage, especially in underserved regions. By enabling D2D access, expanding market…[continued]