SES is consolidating its position at the heart of the next great telecoms transformation. The company will in fact be participating in the merger of two American space connectivity players, Lynk Global and Omnispace, whose ambition is clear: to build the world's first direct-to-device (D2D) communications network, capable of linking any smartphone to a satellite, without any specific hardware or dedicated antenna.
This strategic alliance propels SES to the centre of a project that some are already describing as the “Starlink of mobile phones”. The Luxembourg-based company will become a major shareholder in the new entity, contributing its multi-orbit infrastructure and global terrestrial network, essential for reliable and scalable connectivity. For SES, this participation is part of a strategy to diversify into D2D and IoT services, segments set to grow rapidly.
“We see huge opportunities in D2D and IoT connectivity,” says Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. “The planned combination of Lynk and Omnispace will provide SES with access to new LEO capabilities, in line with our strategy to diversify into this high-growth segment.”
D2D technology involves enabling a standard mobile phone to connect directly to a low-earth orbit satellite, as if it were a terrestrial antenna. It paves the way for universal coverage, including in rural, maritime and disaster-stricken areas where conventional cellular networks are not available. Lynk has already demonstrated the feasibility of the concept: its experimental satellites have made it possible to send text messages to ordinary phones from space.
Omnispace, for its part, brings a decisive asset to the merger: 60MHz of globally coordinated S-band spectrum, compliant with 3GPP standards for non-terrestrial networks. This spectrum, covering more than a billion people across four continents, is a scarce and essential resource for ensuring seamless global connectivity.
“This merger unlocks the full potential of our global S-band spectrum assets and positions us at the forefront of D2D,” said Ram Viswanathan, CEO of Omnispace. For Lynk, the combination of this spectrum resource with its own patented satellite technology paves the way for large-scale commercial deployment. “We now have the ideal combination of technology, spectrum and leadership to extend mobile connectivity where and when it is needed most,” says Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Lynk. The company, which already has partnerships with more than 50 operators in as many countries, intends to offer voice, messaging and data services accessible to more than 7 billion existing smartphones and connected objects.
Beyond the technological prowess, the stakes are also industrial and political. Thanks to SES, Luxembourg is establishing itself as a pivotal player in the global space ecosystem, combining terrestrial and orbital infrastructures. By integrating a project capable of linking telephones directly to space, SES is confirming its move towards universal connectivity, where the boundary between the sky and the mobile network is gradually disappearing.
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals. Following completion of the transaction, Ramu Potarazu will head the new entity, while Ram Viswanathan will be responsible for strategy. For SES, this alliance is not just an investment: it is a way to position itself as the orchestrator of the next generation of global communications - one where every phone, everywhere, will literally be able to talk to space.
