Ookla: D2D Satellite Connectivity Surged 24.5% During Last 9 Months; Starlink’s Footprint Expansion Leads the Way

Key Takeaways

• D2D connections grew 24.5% YoY from July 2025‑Mar 2026
• Starlink accounts for over 80% of global D2D traffic
• U.S. D2D share fell as T‑Mobile added surcharges
• Penetration remains under 1.5% of mobile subscribers
• MNOs must weigh satellite vs tower CAPEX for rural coverage

Pulse Analysis

The latest Ookla analysis shows that direct‑to‑device satellite connectivity is moving from a niche service to a measurable segment of the mobile ecosystem. Starlink’s aggressive footprint expansion into South America, Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom lifted global D2D connections by nearly a quarter in just nine months, while ancillary providers like Skylo and Lynk Global contribute modestly. Yet adoption remains shallow—under 1.5% of mobile users—because terrestrial networks already cover roughly 96% of the world’s population, limiting the perceived urgency for satellite backup except in true dead‑zone scenarios.

For mobile network operators, the surge forces a strategic reassessment of capital and operating expenditures. Traditional macro‑cell deployments in sparsely populated regions can now be compared against leasing satellite capacity, which promises rapid coverage without the long lead times of tower construction. However, the technology is still best suited for outdoor use; about 80% of mobile traffic originates indoors where satellite links struggle. Regulators are also taking note: the FCC’s review of the $9 billion 5G Fund for Rural America includes discussions on how D2D services should qualify for subsidies, while billing models evolve to handle hybrid satellite‑cellular handoffs.

Looking ahead, the market is poised for broader integration as non‑terrestrial networks mature. The Global Mobile Suppliers Association cites 15 commercial D2D launches and 61 countries in various stages of testing, with Starlink leading 59 partnerships. Emerging standards and multi‑orbit architectures aim to bridge the performance gap with 5G, potentially unlocking indoor use cases and higher‑throughput services. If handset chipsets and spectrum allocations align, D2D could transition from an emergency‑only solution to a resilient layer complementing terrestrial infrastructure, reshaping rural broadband strategies worldwide.