Current operational status of major LEO satellite operators for NTN and Direct-to-Device services

The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications ecosystem for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and direct-to-device (D2D) services is currently in a critical transition phase, with operators at varying stages of operational maturity. As of 2025 data, the sector shows a clear segmentation between actors with active commercial services, those in accelerated deployment phases, and emerging projects in pre-operational stages.

1. Operators with Active Commercial Services

SpaceX/Starlink: Unquestionable Leader

Starlink dominates the market with over 7,600 active satellites in orbit, representing approximately 60% of all functional satellites in space. Its constellation is fully operational for direct-to-consumer broadband services, with established presence across multiple verticals:

• Aviation: Active connectivity on over 1,000 aircraft from United Airlines, Air France, and Qatar Airways, displacing GEO as the traditional IFC solution.

• Australian Market: More than 350,000 active customers, temporarily monopolizing the LEO segment in the region.

• Direct-to-Cell: Initial text and voice services in early phases through partnership with T-Mobile, utilizing satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities.

Recently, SpaceX consolidated its competitive advantage by acquiring EchoStar's exclusive 50 MHz of S-band spectrum for $17 billion, becoming the most vertically integrated D2D operator by controlling satellites, spectrum, and distribution. Its partnership with T-Mobile aims to enable SMS and emergency services using terrestrial PCS spectrum.

Iridium Communications: Standard NTN and IoT Specialist

With 66 operational LEO satellites plus 9 spares, Iridium maintains the most established LEO constellation historically. Its Iridium NTN Direct℠ service, based on 3GPP Release 17, is commercially active for global 5G NB-IoT connectivity, with strategic partnerships with mobile operators like Syniverse for terrestrial-satellite handover.

Globalstar: Leader in Proprietary Emergency Services

Operating a LEO constellation (24 active satellites), Globalstar has established itself as Apple's exclusive provider for satellite-based SOS services. Its model relies on proprietary legacy spectrum technology, with native integration in iPhone devices without requiring 3GPP standards.

Eutelsat/OneWeb: Integrated Multi-Orbit Operator

The Eutelsat Group operates over 630 OneWeb satellites in orbit, with plans to double the constellation in coming years. As the first fully integrated multi-orbit operator (34 GEO satellites + 600+ LEO), it offers resilient backhaul and enterprise connectivity. Its participation in the SpaceRISE consortium for IRIS² strengthens its position in European sovereign communications.

2. Operators in Rapid Deployment Phase (Pre-Commercial)

Amazon/Project Kuiper: Accelerated Deployment

Project Kuiper maintains 78 satellites in orbit after three successful launches in less than three months during 2025. Its ground infrastructure is under active construction, with 83 launches contracted to deploy 3,236 total satellites . While not yet offering commercial services, it has announced replacement of Australia's NBN Sky Muster service by 2032, projecting customer transition from GEO to LEO. Satellite production is accelerating to achieve initial service launch in 2025-2026.

Telesat (Lightspeed): Confirmed Government Funding

With 198 operational satellites, Telesat is in active expansion phase toward 512 satellites. It received a $2.14 billion loan from the Canadian government for deployment, focused on high-security government and enterprise markets. Its service offers 7.5-15 Gbps speeds with optimized polar coverage.

AST SpaceMobile: Transitioning from Testing to Operations

AST SpaceMobile is in advanced field-testing phase, having achieved the first successful LEO voice call using AT&T spectrum and unmodified Samsung/Apple smartphones. Its constellation is not yet fully deployed, but technical trials validate its disruptive approach of modifying satellites to function as 5G cellular base stations from space.

3. Emerging and Regional Operators

Lynk Global/Omnispace: Consolidation Stage

Through its announced merger, the combined entity will integrate Omnispace's globally coordinated S-band spectrum with Lynk's satellite platform and MNO relationships. It currently does not report active commercial services, but its strategy positions it as a credible global challenger in D2D and IoT once integration is complete.

Kepler Communications (Canada): Industrial IoT Specialist

Developing the ÆTHER constellation of 140 satellites exclusively focused on IoT connectivity for industrial, maritime, and logistics applications. Current status: in deployment, limited services.

Chinese Operators: Pre-Operational

China Starnet is preparing its first LEO satellite launches in the second half of 2025, with an ambitious plan for 13,000 satellites. China Mobile and China Telecom are establishing LEO subsidiaries (China Shikong Xinxi Co., Tiantong Satellite Technology) with state capital, but without active commercial services yet . The G60 and Shanghai Hongqing constellations remain in planning phases with undefined timelines.

The LEO NTN market shows a clear bifurcation: while Starlink, Iridium, and OneWeb operate at commercial scale with thousands of satellites and established services, most competitors (Project Kuiper, Telesat, AST SpaceMobile) are in accelerated deployment but pre-revenue phases. Starlink's EchoStar spectrum acquisition and MNO partnerships (T-Mobile, AT&T) consolidate the trend toward vertically integrated models.

Chinese operators represent the most significant geopolitical wildcard, with massive state investments but no visible international commercial services until 2025-2026. The regulatory challenge persists: slow, fragmented licensing processes limit innovation, while ITU spectrum harmonization becomes critical to avoid orbital and spectral saturation.

The next phase (2025-2027) will determine whether the D2D market reaches its projected $9 billion annually through transition from technical trials to mass-market 3GPP-compliant services.