Space42 lifts satellite phone ambitions

Space42 has selected Skylo Technologies to provide standards-based direct-to-device connectivity through Thuraya-4, advancing plans to merge mobile satellite services with mainstream telecom networks across underserved land, sea and remote industrial zones.

The Abu Dhabi-listed space technology company said the partnership will use Skylo’s 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial network platform with Thuraya-4, Space42’s next-generation geostationary mobile communications satellite. The integration is designed to allow ordinary compatible devices to connect through satellite coverage without requiring a separate satellite handset, modified SIM or major changes to mobile operator core infrastructure.

The move places Space42 deeper into the emerging direct-to-device race, where satellite operators, telecom carriers, chipset makers and handset manufacturers are trying to close coverage gaps beyond terrestrial towers. The sector has drawn heavy investment as governments, maritime operators, energy companies, logistics firms and emergency services seek resilient connectivity in areas where conventional mobile networks are unavailable or vulnerable to disruption.

A live demonstration has already been completed, with the companies carrying out a two-way real-time voice call over Thuraya-4. The test showed how satellite links can be integrated into standard mobile frameworks, allowing operators to extend coverage through existing network architecture rather than build a parallel service layer.

Commercial deployment is expected to begin across Thuraya-4’s coverage footprint, subject to market-by-market regulatory clearances and agreements with telecom operators. The satellite is designed to serve Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, giving Space42 a wide regional platform for mobile-satellite convergence.

Thuraya-4 was launched in January 2025 and later made available for global customers after commissioning. Built on Airbus’s Eurostar Neo platform, it carries a 12-metre L-band reflector antenna, onboard processing and software-defined capabilities that allow coverage and capacity to be adjusted from orbit. Space42 has said the satellite can deliver speeds exceeding 1 Mbps, a significant upgrade for mobile satellite services used in remote and mission-critical environments.

Skylo, based in Mountain View, California, operates a non-terrestrial network platform built around 3GPP standards. Its model allows cellular devices, including smartphones, wearables, vehicles and Internet of Things equipment, to switch between terrestrial networks and satellite links where compatible services are available. The company has been expanding its NTN footprint across dozens of countries and has worked with device, chipset and network partners to support satellite messaging, data and voice services.

For Space42, the agreement strengthens the commercial case for Thuraya-4 beyond traditional satellite phones and enterprise terminals. The company, formed through the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, is positioning itself as an AI-powered space technology group combining satellite communications, geospatial analytics and secure connectivity. Its listed structure on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and its links to major UAE investment groups have given it a central role in the country’s space and digital infrastructure ambitions.

The partnership also reflects a wider shift in satellite communications. Legacy mobile satellite services were built around specialised devices and premium pricing, often targeted at defence, maritime, energy, aviation and emergency response users. Direct-to-device connectivity seeks to broaden that market by making satellite access part of the standard mobile experience, especially for text, narrowband data, emergency alerts and, increasingly, voice.

Competition is intensifying. Low Earth orbit satellite constellations are pursuing direct-to-cell services with mobile operators, while geostationary and medium Earth orbit providers are adapting existing satellite capacity for 3GPP-based networks. Space42’s use of Thuraya-4 gives it a different technical path, relying on a high-capacity geostationary asset with a broad regional footprint and L-band resilience.

The commercial opportunity is strongest in regions with large coverage gaps, offshore operations, desert routes, remote infrastructure corridors and disaster-prone areas. Telecom operators can use satellite extensions to improve geographic reach without building costly towers in low-density locations. Governments can also benefit from communications redundancy during natural disasters, cyber incidents or terrestrial network outages.

Regulation remains a central challenge. Satellite-to-device services require spectrum coordination, market access approvals, emergency service frameworks and agreements with mobile network operators. Service quality will also depend on handset compatibility, antenna design, power constraints, indoor coverage limitations and how operators price satellite access for consumers and enterprise users.