SES and Elveo Mobile Launch Multi-Orbit Direct-to-Device Service

SES has expanded its strategic investment and collaboration with Elveo Mobile to deploy a global direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service. The partnership aims to provide seamless connectivity to standard smartphones, IoT devices, and industrial machinery without requiring specialized hardware.

Under the terms of the agreement announced August 17, 2026, the two companies will integrate their respective space assets to create a multi-orbit solution. Elveo Mobile, formed through the merger of D2D pioneers Lynk and Omnispace, will contribute its Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) network. This complements the existing Geostationary (GEO) and Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) capabilities of SES. While Elveo provides the LEO infrastructure, SES will provide critical regulatory support and broader infrastructure to scale the service.

The Shift to Direct-to-Device

This move comes as the satellite industry pivots toward D2D technology, which eliminates the need for bulky satellite phones or external adapters. By allowing standard mobile devices to communicate directly with satellites, operators can effectively erase cellular dead zones. For SES, this partnership follows its acquisition of Intelsat, completed on July 17, 2025, a move that positioned the company as a dominant provider of multi-orbit space solutions.

"Elveo is an agile, forward-thinking innovator, and exactly the type of company we sought as our strategic partner for direct-to-device services," said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES.

Industry Implications

The collaboration is expected to significantly accelerate the time-to-market for global satellite-to-phone connectivity. Beyond consumer handsets, the integration of LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits provides the reliability and coverage necessary for enterprise and government sectors. Specifically, it expands the reach of machine-to-machine communication, allowing for the tracking and management of assets in remote regions where terrestrial networks are non-existent.

Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Elveo, noted that the strategic investment from SES will speed up the deployment of their D2D solutions to a worldwide customer base.

Future Outlook

As the partnership progresses, the industry will be watching how the integration of three different orbital layers performs in real-world hand-offs between satellites. The success of this multi-orbit approach could set a new standard for how global connectivity is delivered, moving away from single-orbit dependencies. While the infrastructure framework is now in place, the specific rollout timelines for various global regions remain the next key milestone for the partnership. This strategic alignment ensures that the combined network can handle diverse data requirements, from low-latency messaging to high-throughput data transfers, across the most isolated corners of the planet.