Direct-to-cell satellite accelerate towards mainstream with $7.6 billion market forecast for 2026

The satellite-to-phone connectivity industry is witnessing rapid growth as standards bodies and operators integrate satellite services into global mobile networks, with the market expected to reach $7.6 billion by 2026.

Direct-to-cell satellite services are moving from niche capability to a broader commercial market as standards bodies and operators push the technology into mainstream mobile networks. Industry research from TrendForce says the sector is being helped by 3GPP Releases 17 and 18, which are folding satellite communications into global mobile standards, and estimates the market will reach $7.6 billion in 2026, up about 49% year on year. The appeal is straightforward: satellite links can fill coverage gaps where terrestrial towers are absent and can also strengthen emergency communications. TrendForce’s outlook was highlighted in Communications Today’s report on the sector’s rapid growth.

Starlink has begun to lean more heavily on its next-generation V2 satellites to improve mobile performance, with Tom’s Hardware reporting that the company is promoting much higher data density and throughput for its Starlink Mobile service. The upgrade is designed to move satellite-to-phone connectivity beyond basic messaging and towards voice and video, although the broader rollout still depends on further satellite deployment. In parallel, MediaTek and Starlink used Mobile World Congress 2026 to showcase emergency alert capabilities over satellite, with coverage in the United States, Canada and Japan already live, according to Ubergizmo.

The commercial opportunity is also widening beyond consumers. TrendForce says interest is rising among enterprise customers such as mining and agricultural groups operating in remote parts of the United States, where real-time data links can be critical. That demand is one reason both Starlink and AST SpaceMobile are prioritising the American market. TrendForce added that AST SpaceMobile is expected to introduce messaging, voice and video services in the US and Japan in 2026, marking another step towards fuller smartphone connectivity from orbit.

The supply chain around direct-to-cell is also taking shape. According to TrendForce, the upstream layer includes antennas, RF front-end modules and baseband chips, while the midstream covers satellite-based stations and integration work. Downstream, handset makers and telecom operators are beginning to adopt the technology, with companies such as Samsung, Google and Vivo linked to satellite communication chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek. TrendForce says Taiwan’s component industry already has strengths in areas such as Ka-band phased array antennas, GaN power chips and RF module integration, putting it in a promising position, although inter-satellite laser communication remains a difficult technical hurdle.

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Source:Fuse Wire Services