Satellite Association Launch Aims to Enhance Global Connectivity

A new association to advance direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication ecosystems has been launched.

The Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) is made up of several satellite operators including Viasat, Terrestar Solutions, Ligado Networks, Omnispace and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC.

Combined, the companies have more than 100 megahertz of L- and S-band spectrum which could extend mobile satellite services worldwide.

The companies said the MSSA will bring “significant scale and choice” to the burgeoning D2D industry, which connects users’ devices directly to satellites to bridge the gap between terrestrial and satellite communications. 

D2D is pitched as having a potentially game-changing impact on sectors including cellular, industrial, government, agriculture, automotive and others. 

The association will support the development of a D2D ecosystem of solutions providers, including terrestrial mobile and satellite operators, OEMs, infrastructure, chip vendors and others.

“Integrating satellite connectivity into consumer mobile devices is a transformative opportunity for the satellite industry,” said Mark Dankberg, MSSA’s chairman. “As a coalition of leaders with a unified voice, MSSA will be a driving force in making this new marketplace a reality, while respecting the rights of nations to meaningfully engage and retain sovereignty in a rapidly growing space economy.”

Related:BMW, Samsung, Intel Back Satellite Connectivity Startup With $37M

MSSA said it will advocate for regulations around terrestrial and multi-orbit satellite networks, establish ground infrastructure and end-user equipment, and support integration of space networks into national telecommunications infrastructure.

“The association will help create opportunities to scale non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems via open, standards-based solutions for D2D and IoT,” said Dankberg. “We believe this can be done while preserving critical MSS aviation and maritime safety services and by expanding the markets supporting diverse users through substantial improvements in speed, bandwidth, availability, interoperability and affordability.”