New Frontiers: Connectivity for All

Urban and rural communities have distinct needs, and some areas are yet to realise the full potential of mobile. While mid-band spectrum gives city-wide capacity, extending coverage to underserved and remote areas is essential for digital inclusion and national resilience. Securing additional low-band spectrum to develop mobile networks in populated rural areas will support digital equality.

In parallel, Direct-to-device satellite connectivity (D2D) is emerging as a way to supplement mobile networks and extend coverage, but its future depends on carefully defined policy. As momentum builds across both satellite and mobile industries, robust regulation is required on spectrum and licensing to ensure all services can coexist.

The acceleration of D2D adoption in Central Asia and elsewhere underscores the need to understand its strengths and limitations for extending coverage, while developing frameworks to ensure coexistence between services. D2D can support low-band mobile to provide solutions for rural connectivity.