The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Consumer Mobile

12-01-2025

4-minute read

Summary

3GPP Release 17 ushered in support for non-terrestrial networks (NTN), enabling smartphones to connect directly to satellites using the same technology as mobile networks. This marks the beginning of the Great Connectivity Convergence, a new era in which satellite and cellular networks are working to integrate seamlessly to provide global coverage.
To understand this convergence in the mobile landscape, Viasat and GSMA intelligence surveyed over 12,000 consumers across the globe — exploring attitudes towards coverage and cost in satellite-enabled mobile services.
This first report in the series, NTN in Consumer Mobile, examines the current state of connectivity across different regions, the growing demand for mobile “coverage certainty,” the readiness of operators to deliver it, and the opportunities that hybrid connectivity presents for the next generation of mobile experiences.

What’s driving demand for NB-NTN?

The promise of “universal connectivity” has long captured the imagination of mobile users, but until now, network reach has always had limits. With NB-NTN, those limits begin to disappear.

Our research shows that consumer interest in satellite-enabled mobile technology is rising fastest in rural and emerging markets, where connectivity gaps remain widest. At the same time, urban users see NB-NTN as a guarantee of reliability — an added layer of assurance when terrestrial networks falter.

Together, these trends are redefining what people expect from mobile coverage and shifting the conversation from speed to certainty.

Ready to explore the data?

Explore the full findings and discover how this convergence is reshaping the mobile landscape in The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Consumer Mobile.

Consumer sentiment at a glance

80%

Around 80% of consumers surveyed express interest in using satellite-enabled services on their smartphones — highlighting the strong appetite for mainstream adoption.

60%

Over 60% surveyed say they would pay more for these services.

47%

Nearly half of users surveyed would switch operators if satellite-enabled services in areas outside coverage were included in their plan.

Operator opportunity

For mobile network operators, direct-to-handset (D2H) — the subset of D2D which is currently focused on providing smartphones, smartwatches, and similar devices — represents a major structural shift.

The convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks now enables operators to:

Differentiate through reliability: close blackspots and become the provider consumers trust for “coverage certainty.”
Turn coverage into loyalty: nearly half of users surveyed say they’d switch to an operator offering hybrid connectivity.
Monetize new demand: over 60% of consumers surveyed are willing to pay extra for satellite-enabled mobile services.
Expand reach without rebuilding networks: extend service to rural, maritime, and hard-to-serve regions through satellite partnerships.

As these collaborations deepen, the most forward-looking operators will position themselves as enablers of true global, ubiquitous connectivity.

Reliable coverage is no longer a nice-to-have, but a universal expectation shaping consumer loyalty and operator opportunity alike.

- Kevin Cohen, Business Development VP, Direct to Device, Viasat