Over the past year, satellite-based connectivity has moved firmly into the spotlight. With growing awareness of solutions such as LEO satellite broadband services, Direct-to-Cell (D2C) initiatives, and smartphone emergency satellite messaging, it’s easy to get the impression that traditional mobile networks are on their way out.

We’re increasingly hearing comments like:
“In a year or two everything will run on satellite, GSM is basically dead.”

The reality, however, is far more nuanced.

Satellite connectivity is a powerful innovation, but it is not a replacement for GSM. Instead, it plays a very specific and complementary role. Here’s a practical breakdown of where satellite fits today, and where it doesn’t.

LEO Satellite Broadband: Powerful, but Not Mobile

LEO satellite broadband refers to low Earth orbit satellite systems designed to provide internet connectivity in locations where terrestrial networks are unavailable or unreliable.

Modern low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services have demonstrated how effective satellite connectivity can be in remote and underserved locations. They have proven particularly valuable for:

• Fixed installations in rural or hard-to-reach areas
• Certain maritime use cases

However, LEO satellite broadband is not designed as a mobile GSM alternative:

• It requires specialised hardware
• Antennas are relatively large and power-hungry
• A clear line of sight to the sky is essential
• It is not easily portable or suitable for mass IoT deployments
• Availability is restricted in certain countries
• As adoption grows, bandwidth contention becomes a concern

These services excel as fixed connectivity solutions not as universal mobile networks.

Direct-to-Cell (D2C): Augmenting, Not Replacing Mobile Networks

Direct-to-Cell (D2C) connectivity refers to satellite services that connect directly to standard mobile devices in order to extend coverage into remote or underserved outdoor areas.

Direct-to-Cell providers are working with selected national mobile operators to extend coverage into hard-to-reach outdoor areas.

Their strengths include:

• Compatibility with existing phones and devices
• No need for additional user hardware

But there are important limitations:

• Coverage is intermittent, only available when a satellite passes overhead
• Connectivity may last minutes at a time, not continuously
• D2C still relies on terrestrial base stations to route traffic
• It augments rural coverage, rather than replaces mobile rollouts
• Some operators restrict access to these services to premium subscriptions

D2C improves coverage at the edges it doesn’t eliminate the need for GSM infrastructure.

Smartphone Emergency Satellite Messaging: Exactly That, Emergency Only

Emergency satellite messaging allows smartphones to send limited messages via satellite when no cellular network is available.

These capabilities are impressive, and potentially lifesaving, but they are highly constrained by design:

• Only very small data messages can be sent
• Not suitable for voice calls or general data traffic
• High latency: messages are often stored on the satellite and forwarded later
• Response times can take several minutes
• Coverage is limited to specific regions where satellite beams are focused

These services are emergency backups not a substitute for everyday connectivity.

The Telecom26 View: Satellite as a Complement, not a Replacement

At Telecom26, we see satellite connectivity as a valuable addition to the global connectivity toolbox.

Satellite solutions are:

• Excellent for filling coverage gaps
• Highly valuable as an emergency or resilience backup
• Useful in specific fixed, maritime, or extreme-remote scenarios

However, satellite connectivity does not replace GSM, LTE, or 5G, especially when it comes to:

• Continuous connectivity
• Mobility
• IoT and M2M deployments at scale
• Predictable performance and latency

That’s why we see satellite providers as partners, not competitors. We are working closely with several players in this space to enhance our offering and integrate satellite connectivity where it adds real value. Stay Tuned.

For our customers, satellite becomes one more connectivity option alongside the 600+ mobile networks worldwide that Telecom26 already supports.

Satellite Connectivity vs GSM – Key Questions Answered

Is satellite connectivity replacing GSM?
No. Satellite connectivity complements GSM, LTE, and 5G by filling coverage gaps and providing resilience, but it does not replace terrestrial mobile networks for continuous or mobile connectivity.

When does satellite connectivity make sense for businesses?
Satellite is best suited for remote locations, maritime environments, emergency backup, and scenarios where terrestrial networks are unavailable or unreliable.

What is hybrid connectivity?
Hybrid connectivity combines terrestrial mobile networks with satellite links to ensure resilience, coverage, and continuity for business-critical applications.

Why do enterprises still rely on GSM, LTE, and 5G?
Terrestrial mobile networks provide predictable performance, low latency, mobility support, and scalability that satellite systems cannot consistently deliver today.

Reality Over Hype

Satellite technology is evolving fast, and the innovation is real. But despite the headlines, GSM is far from obsolete.

For businesses, the future of connectivity is not either-or, it’s hybrid:

• Terrestrial mobile networks for everyday, scalable connectivity
• Satellite for resilience, reach, and emergency coverage

Understanding the strengths and limits of each technology is the key to designing connectivity that actually works.

Talk to Our Experts

Satellite, cellular, or hybrid connectivity, the right solution depends on your use case, geography, and operational requirements.

If you’d like to understand how satellite connectivity can complement GSM, LTE, and 5G in a practical, business-ready way, our experts are happy to help.

👉 Talk to our connectivity specialists to explore the right approach for your business.

Meet Telecom26 at Mobile World Congress 2026

Telecom26 will be attending Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, where we’ll be discussing the future of global connectivity, including cellular, satellite, and hybrid solutions for enterprises and IoT deployments.

If you’re attending MWC 2026 and would like to meet the Telecom26 team, you can find more details here:
👉 https://www.telecom26.ch/about/events/mobile-world-congress-2026

This article reflects Telecom26’s perspective as a global provider of enterprise and IoT connectivity, supporting more than 600 mobile networks worldwide.