European partnership advances sovereign D2D connectivity and hybrid terrestrial-satellite mobile networks
OQ Technology, Europe’s leading direct-to-device (D2D) satellite operator, and Telefónica Germany are joining forces to conduct the first live demonstration of two-way satellite communications by a European satellite operator directly to standard, unmodified smartphones (including iPhone, Samsung, and Google devices) using terrestrial mobile spectrum. The demonstration, planned in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, will evaluate the integration of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites with existing mobile networks to support messaging and voice-based services directly from space.
The collaboration represents a major milestone for European non-terrestrial network (NTN) innovation and demonstrates how hybrid terrestrial-satellite architectures can strengthen the resilience, reach, and sovereignty of Europe’s digital infrastructure.
Under the agreement, OQ Technology will leverage its next-generation satellites and fully in-house developed multi-band D2D payload technology together with spectrum provided by Telefónica Germany to validate direct-to-smartphone connectivity using conventional mobile devices and licensed operator frequencies. The 3GPP-standard-based payload supports MSS S-band, C-band, and IMT bands, enabling flexible deployment models for future NTN services.
The initiative positions OQ Technology as the first European company preparing missions across all three major D2D spectrum bands, MSS S-band, C-band, and IMT bands, further reinforcing Europe’s leadership in sovereign satellite-mobile communications.
“Europe must develop its own sovereign and interoperable space-based mobile infrastructure,” said Omar Qaise, Founder and CEO of OQ Technology. “This collaboration with Telefónica Germany demonstrates that European operators and European satellite companies can jointly build next-generation connectivity solutions based on open standards, licensed spectrum, and existing smartphones. Our D2D satellite network is designed to seamlessly complement terrestrial mobile networks, extending coverage where it is most needed while preserving terrestrial mobile operator control and their spectrum sovereignty.”
“This is an important step for Germany’s digital infrastructure: We are testing mobile communications connections directly between satellites and conventional smartphones – using a European technology approach and with the aim of strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty,” says Jörg Kablitz, Chief Partner & Wholesale Officer at Telefónica Germany. “The satellite-based service is intended to supplement existing mobile networks—in areas where expanding infrastructure on the ground would be extremely costly or impossible. ”
OQ Technology is the first European company operating a dedicated LEO constellation for D2D and IoT NTN services. The company develops standardized 3GPP-based satellite connectivity solutions enabling direct communications to unmodified smartphones and IoT devices for enterprises, government, and consumer applications.
The planned demonstration in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will focus on validating the interaction between terrestrial mobile infrastructure and OQ’s LEO satellite network, including achievable data performance, spectrum coexistence, and direct-to-device communications scenarios in areas where terrestrial coverage expansion remains challenging.
The project highlights the increasing importance of hybrid NTN architectures in telecommunications networks of the future. While terrestrial mobile infrastructure remains the backbone of connectivity, satellite systems can provide complementary coverage in remote, underserved, or infrastructure-constrained regions.
OQ Technology has already demonstrated D2D connectivity using MSS S-band spectrum and continues expanding its multi-band satellite roadmap with Europe’s first upcoming missions spanning MSS S-band, C-band, and IMT spectrum for direct smartphone connectivity. The company’s next-generation satellites and payloads are fully designed and developed in-house, enabling rapid innovation cycles and flexible support for operator-led NTN deployment models using both satellite and terrestrial mobile spectrum.
The collaboration with Telefónica Germany further validates the flexibility of OQ Technology’s 3GPP standard-based satellites to support seamless integration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial mobile networks while maintaining compatibility with existing consumer smartphones without hardware modifications.
The initiative also builds on the companies’ existing collaboration in IoT satellite connectivity, where OQ Technology’s NTN infrastructure enables global monitoring and communications capabilities for enterprise applications.
As NTN technologies gain momentum within 3GPP standardization and future 6G developments, OQ Technology continues to position Europe at the forefront of sovereign satellite-mobile convergence and standardized D2D communications.
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