The next leap in wireless—6G—isn’t just about faster speeds. It’s about erasing coverage gaps entirely. That won’t happen with cell towers alone. The solution is non-terrestrial networks (NTN)—low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, high-altitude platforms, and direct-to-device (D2D) technologies that merge with terrestrial 5G/6G.
The standards are already maturing through 3GPP Releases 17 and 18 (adding NTN support for New Radio and IoT), with Release 19 work underway. These will feed directly into 6G deployments.
T-Mobile: Starlink Direct-to-Cell at Consumer Scale
Partnership: T-Mobile + Starlink
Status: T-Mobile’s “Coverage Beyond” program leverages Starlink Direct to Cell, delivering text messaging now, with MMS/short audio support and data service launching October 1, 2025. Voice is on the roadmap. The program uses standard smartphones—no extra antennas or cases—and is included in premium plans or $10/month for others.
Differentiator: Rapid rollout to millions of customers and tight integration into consumer plans.
6G Link: Gives T-Mobile a ready-made “sky path” for seamless coverage as 6G pushes toward continuous, intelligent connectivity.
AT&T: AST SpaceMobile and Public Safety Integration
Partnership: AT&T + AST SpaceMobile
Status: AT&T is co-developing direct-to-device connectivity with AST SpaceMobile, using AT&T’s licensed spectrum from orbit. After record-setting satellite video calls and data sessions with the BlueWalker-3 test satellite, AT&T is now testing with AST’s first commercial BlueBird satellites launched in late 2024.
Differentiator: Strong focus on FirstNet, the public safety network AT&T operates, ensuring responders get coverage during disasters and in rural zones where towers don’t reach.
6G Link: Foreshadows 6G’s ability to prioritize and route mission-critical communications seamlessly between ground and space.
Verizon: Dual Strategy with AST and Kuiper
Partnerships: Verizon + AST SpaceMobile + Amazon Kuiper
Status: Verizon joined AST in 2024, committing $100M to bring D2D to its customers using 850 MHz spectrum. In parallel, Verizon’s partnership with Amazon’s Project Kuiper targets satellite backhaul—connecting remote cell sites without laying fiber.
Differentiator: Two-pronged approach—AST for direct handset connectivity and Kuiper for network backhaul—lets Verizon address coverage gaps in multiple ways.
6G Link: Mirrors how 6G will intelligently switch between direct satellite links and satellite-fed terrestrial sites to optimize performance.
EchoStar/Dish (Boost): Building Its Own D2D Constellation
Partnership: EchoStar/Dish + MDA Space
Status: EchoStar is investing over $1.3B to launch its own Aurora D2D constellation using its 2 GHz AWS-4/S-band spectrum. First satellites expected in 2028, with commercial service targeted for 2029.
Differentiator: Full vertical integration—owning both the spectrum and the satellite network.
6G Link: If aligned with global NTN standards, it could offer an interoperable, roaming-friendly satellite layer for Boost Mobile and potential wholesale partners.
Starlink: From Broadband to Direct-to-Cell
Role: Global LEO broadband + Direct-to-Cell service provider
Status: Starlink Direct to Cell is live for text in multiple countries, with data/IoT planned for 2025 and voice coming soon. Operates as both a partner (with T-Mobile in the U.S.) and a direct retail provider internationally.
Differentiator: The largest active LEO constellation, with rapid deployment and global reach.
6G Link: Gives carriers an instant NTN layer for ubiquitous coverage, which can evolve into a natively integrated component of 6G networks.
AST SpaceMobile: Building the Space-Based Cell Tower
Role: Satellite-based cellular service using partner carriers’ spectrum
Status: AST’s BlueWalker-3 test satellite proved it could connect directly to unmodified smartphones at broadband speeds. The company launched the first BlueBird commercial satellites in late 2024 and plans dozens more for coverage density.
Differentiator: Operates as an extension of a carrier’s own network—using the same spectrum and core systems—allowing transparent handoffs between towers and satellites.
6G Link: Aligns with the 6G vision of network slicing and intent-based routing, treating space and ground equally in the connectivity fabric.
How Strategies Differ—and Overlap
| Provider / Platform | D2D Partner / Tech | Backhaul Partner | Spectrum Approach | Time-to-Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Starlink Direct to Cell | None | Starlink NTN waveforms on LTE/NR bands | Live for text, data Oct 2025 |
| AT&T | AST SpaceMobile | None | AT&T low-band spectrum from orbit | Testing now |
| Verizon | AST SpaceMobile | Amazon Kuiper | Verizon low-band spectrum + Kuiper backhaul | Testing now |
| EchoStar/Dish | MDA Aurora D2D | None | 2 GHz AWS-4/S-band | Launch 2029 |
| Starlink | Native D2C + partner integrations | N/A | Starlink’s own air interface | Live for text |
| AST SpaceMobile | Partner spectrum integrations | N/A | Licensed partner bands | Initial launches in 2024 |
The Road to Ubiquitous Connectivity
By the time 6G standards finalize (~2028), the NTN groundwork laid today will be mature: Starlink will have millions of Direct-to-Cell devices active globally, AST SpaceMobile will have enough satellites for persistent coverage in multiple regions, and major U.S. carriers will have NTN plans bundled into their premium offerings.
In the 6G era, these space assets will be managed alongside terrestrial cells in a unified, AI-driven network—choosing the optimal link in milliseconds to maintain quality and continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity?
D2D lets a standard smartphone connect directly to satellites for basic services like texting first, then data and voice as capacity grows—no special case or external antenna required.
How is NTN different from satellite backhaul?
NTN connects your phone straight to a satellite. Satellite backhaul links remote cell sites to the core network via satellite; your phone still connects to a nearby tower.
When will 6G arrive?
Standards are expected to finalize near the end of the decade, with broader commercial availability starting in the early 2030s.
Will my current phone work with D2D satellite service?
Early services focus on compatibility with many recent smartphones for text, with broader data and voice support depending on carrier bands and chipset updates.
How fast is satellite D2D compared to towers?
Initial D2D speeds prioritize reliability over throughput. Expect basic messaging first, then modest app data rates that improve as satellite density and spectrum scale.
How does this help during disasters?
When terrestrial sites fail, satellite D2D can maintain baseline communications for public safety and the public, improving resilience and coordination.
Will coverage be global?
Constellations aim for near-global footprints, but availability depends on local spectrum permissions and carrier partnerships in each country.
How might pricing work?
Carriers are bundling basic D2D features into higher-tier plans and offering add-ons for others; enterprise and public-safety packages will vary by service level.
