SpaceNov 4, 2026, 7:21 PM UTC·2 min read

Amazon Closes In on Starlink as Satellite Phone Links Advance

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile proved seamless handovers between cell and satellite networks, while Amazon's Globalstar deal won FCC approval, sharpening the race with Starlink.

A low-Earth-orbit satellite above Earth beaming a signal to a smartphone, illustrating direct-to-device connectivity. — Image: zdnet.co.kr

Direct-to-device satellite service took two steps toward commercial reality this week: AT&T and AST SpaceMobile showed that a phone can move between terrestrial and satellite networks without dropping its connection, and Amazon cleared the last regulatory hurdle to buy Globalstar.

Handover test in Washington state

The test took place on 21 October in Washington state, with Ericsson and Nokia taking part. An ordinary smartphone was connected to both a ground network and a low-Earth-orbit satellite network, and the companies say network switching time fell from seconds to milliseconds.

Earlier D2D trials mostly focused on getting a phone to reach a satellite. This one also verified service continuity between the two layers. AT&T and AST SpaceMobile plan further tests before moving to a beta service and commercial launch.

Amazon buys into direct-to-phone

The US Federal Communications Commission approved Amazon's acquisition of Globalstar on 27 October. The deal is worth about $11.5 billion and gives Amazon Globalstar's satellite infrastructure and mobile satellite service spectrum. Globalstar supports the satellite features of Apple's iPhone, operates roughly 24 low-orbit satellites and serves more than 780,000 devices in over 120 countries.

Amazon is aiming for a next-generation D2D platform in 2028, offering voice calls, text messaging and data. The purchase includes Globalstar's planned C-3 network of 48 operational and 6 spare satellites. Amazon has also filed a separate FCC application for a D2D system using more than 5,105 satellites, extending its Leo broadband business to handsets.

Europe and aviation

Eutelsat is pitching OneWeb as an alternative to Starlink by stressing its governance. Chief executive Jean-François Fallacher pointed to the dispute over Starshield restrictions in Ukraine and said no single executive can unilaterally switch off OneWeb service. The board includes the French and UK governments and India's Bharti Group, and major outage decisions go through it.

Eutelsat operates about 640 OneWeb satellites and plans to add Airbus-built units to double or triple capacity. It is investing about €3 billion in the roughly €15.6 billion IRIS² project and is pursuing its own D2D service on a separate network.

In aviation, Finnair chose SES's multi-orbit service, combining OneWeb and geostationary links, for 18 Embraer E2 jets. Starlink is also winning European carriers: easyJet will fit A320-family aircraft from the first half of 2027, and KLM will roll out free high-speed Wi-Fi on long-haul flights from mid-2027 for Flying Blue members.

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Tags:amazonglobalstarstarlinkdirect-to-deviceat&tast spacemobile