Bridging Satellite and Cellular: SES and Lynk Team Up to Deliver Multi-Orbit Direct-to-Device Connectivity for Commercial and Government Markets

Manufacturers of some of the most popular consumer smartphones are increasingly embedding satellite technology to ensure their customers have continuous connectivity including in areas with limited, congested, or no cellular coverage.

While Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity continues to gain traction in the consumer space, SES is bullish on its prospects for the commercial and government markets as well. Greg Orton, SES’s Chief Integration and Transformation Officer, views D2D as an opportunity for SES to reach and engage untapped markets.

“As a business, we are looking at satellite-adjacent markets that we can understand quickly, given our heritage as a satellite operator. Direct-to-device has a huge addressable market and a requirement for satellite componentry, presenting a great opportunity for us to expand and diversify.”

Reliance on Low Latency LEO

Providers offering or developing D2D solutions today primarily use low-Earth orbit (LEO) networks, whose low latency rates make it possible for users to have the seamless and lag-free communications they expect when using their personal devices.

SES does not have a LEO network of its own. Building one would be costly and time-consuming. In pursuing a D2D market entry strategy, the company decided to seek out a partner that was not only developing a LEO network for D2D services but could also leverage SES’s expansive ground and satellite infrastructure, recently bolstered following the merger and integration with Intelsat.

SES found its match in Lynk Global, a new space company and the pioneer of direct to device technology.

SES Joins Forces with Lynk

In March 2025, SES announced its intention to partner with and invest in Lynk to develop a D2D service for commercial and government users.

“It became very evident to us that Lynk had the right credentials and could benefit from our global network, which has essentially doubled following the Intelsat deal,” said Orton, “All the assets that SES now has – teleports, global points of presence, hundreds of thousands of miles of fiber, and 120 satellites in the sky – would be needed and could be used by Lynk to effectively connect its network.”

For SES, the partnership paves the way for the company to enter the D2D arena without the onerous expense of building a new LEO network. For Lynk, access to SES’s multi-orbit network, notably its mPOWER fleet of MEO satellites and future meoSphere network, presents an opportunity to develop an enhanced and differentiated service that meets the more stringent and nuanced requirements of commercial users.

Building a Multi-Orbit D2D Solution

SES and Lynk have begun developing a D2D service combining Lynk’s platform and SES’s multi-orbit network, including its fleet of MEO satellites, which sit higher in orbit, can see more of the Earth, and are well-suited to most efficiently backhaul large amounts of traffic from space to ground. With its planned merger with Omnispace, Lynk will not only be able to provide service through legacy MNO spectrum and devices but will also focus on bringing MSS frequencies to enhance capacity and capabilities for customers.

Once launched, inter-satellite relays affixed to Lynk satellites will route traffic from LEO to MEO, and then to one of SES’s many ground stations. This approach results in a more resilient network capable of delivering near real-time connectivity unlocking voice and mobile data services while minimizing the need for additional ground stations and creating a highly capital-efficient D2D system.

Additionally, SES had previously validated GEO-based relay capabilities through work with NASA, enabling it to support Lynk’s constellation using its existing GEO fleet and reducing Lynk’s need for extensive ground operations.

"We're very supportive of what Lynk is doing, and we've already built a strong collaborative relationship," Orton continued. "In addition to our global multi-orbit network, our deep understanding of spectrum issues and regulatory processes will help Lynk accelerate time to market. Our existing relationships with global MNOs and governments will allow us to serve as a distribution channel as well."

Full Speed Ahead

Once commercially available, the applications and use cases supported by the Lynk D2D service will be numerous and widespread. MNOs around the world, particularly those in connectivity-challenged areas, will be able to offer reliable and seamless connectivity to consumers, enterprise customers and emergency responders. Governments will be able to establish sovereign connectivity for national security purposes. Automotive companies will be able to efficiently connect cars around the world for various applications including analytics, monitoring and telematics, saving vehicle owners and dealers time and money.

SES and Lynk are moving full speed ahead in building prototypes, planning for trials, engaging manufacturers, and courting investors with ambitions to operationalize in the coming years. With an innovative technology platform and access to spectrum, Lynk is well-positioned to attract new investment and bring to market a comprehensive D2D connectivity solution that bridges the gap between satellite and terrestrial networks for commercial and government users.