SES and Elveo Mobile Launch Industry's First Multi-Orbit Direct-to-Device Network
By integrating LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites, the partnership brings satellite connectivity to standard smartphones and IoT devices.
SES has announced an expanded strategic investment and collaboration with Elveo Mobile to accelerate the delivery of global direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. The partnership enables standard mobile phones and IoT devices to connect directly to satellites without requiring specialized hardware.
Under the agreement, the companies will integrate Elveo’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) network with SES’s existing geostationary (GEO) and medium-Earth orbit (MEO) networks. This integration creates the industry's first truly multi-orbit integrated D2D satellite solution. Elveo Mobile was formed through the merger of D2D pioneers Lynk and Omnispace, positioning the company as a primary challenger in the satellite-to-phone market.
The Shift to Multi-Orbit Connectivity
Direct-to-Device technology represents a fundamental shift in mobile connectivity, removing the need for bulky satellite phones or proprietary antennas. While many competitors focus exclusively on LEO constellations to reduce latency, the SES and Elveo approach leverages a hybrid architecture. By combining different orbital altitudes, the partnership optimizes coverage and reliability across diverse geographic regions.
For SES, a leader in GEO and MEO solutions, this investment allows the company to rapidly expand its portfolio into the LEO space. This expansion serves a broad client base including telecommunications providers, government agencies, and enterprise customers who require seamless connectivity regardless of terrestrial infrastructure availability.
Industry Implications
This collaboration is a significant step toward ubiquitous global connectivity. By bridging the gap between traditional terrestrial mobile networks and satellite coverage, the multi-orbit approach reduces reliance on any single orbital layer. This redundancy increases connection stability for billions of existing mobile devices worldwide, ensuring users remain connected in remote areas or during terrestrial network failures.
Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, described Elveo as an "agile, forward-thinking innovator" and the ideal partner for its D2D strategy. For the startup, the infusion of capital and infrastructure is critical for scaling. Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Elveo, stated that the strategic investment will accelerate the company's time to market and bring its D2D solutions to SES customers globally.
Future Outlook
As the partnership progresses, the focus shifts toward the technical synchronization of the three orbital layers to ensure a seamless handoff for the end user. Market observers will monitor how this multi-orbit solution performs against LEO-only competitors regarding data throughput and power consumption on mobile devices. While the strategic framework is now in place, the timeline for wide-scale commercial availability for general consumers remains the next key milestone.