This week, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made it very clear at the CTIA wireless industry summit: the satellite-to-phone (Direct-to-Cell) market shouldn’t be a Starlink solo show.
“We need real competition,” Carr said. He believes the U.S. market should have at least three strong operators with their own satellite infrastructure — not just one dominant player.
Right now, Starlink Mobile (SpaceX’s partnership with T-Mobile) is basically the only game in town for real cellular satellite service. You don’t need a new phone or extra hardware — it works with your existing device. It’s already available in remote parts of the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand for texting, light social media, and navigation. However, it still struggles with voice calls and higher data usage, and actual user adoption has been lower than T-Mobile originally hoped.
Other players like Skylo and Globalstar only offer basic satellite texting for now.
Carr specifically highlighted two companies that could shake things up:
Amazon (Project Kuiper)
Amazon is spending tens of billions building its own massive LEO constellation (over 3,200 satellites). They plan to start fixed broadband services in mid-2026 and recently announced the acquisition of Globalstar. This move gives them valuable spectrum and regulatory experience, potentially allowing them to offer direct-to-phone service as early as 2027 — without needing to partner with traditional carriers.
AST SpaceMobile
This company has already achieved something impressive: direct satellite calls and 4G data to regular smartphones. They’ve signed deals with AT&T and Verizon and plan to launch their commercial constellation by the end of 2026. The catch? They hit a setback last month when Blue Origin’s rocket failed to put their next satellite into the correct orbit. AST quickly switched plans and will now launch the next three satellites on SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Interestingly, Carr has been one of Starlink’s biggest supporters in Washington. He’s backed them on multiple approvals and even criticized past decisions to cut their subsidies. But he still wants healthy competition to push the whole industry forward.
Bottom line:
The satellite-to-phone race is heating up. 2026 and 2027 will be critical years as Amazon and AST try to challenge Starlink’s early lead. For consumers in remote areas and for the entire supply chain, more competition should mean better service and faster innovation.
If you are looking for reliable Starlink hardware solutions, custom mounts, off-grid power kits, or professional integration for aviation, maritime, or remote operations, our team can help.
Browse at orbitmate.com — or reach out whatsapp: + 186 0305 7271 for a custom quote.
