Viasat first satellite-enabled smartphone text and push-to-talk messages demonstration

This live demonstration, in partnership with Uztelecom and UZ-SAT, will showcase how everyday smartphones can send and receive messages over Viasat’s highly reliable L-band satellite network using 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards.

In this country-first demonstration, application-based messages are exchanged between two Android smartphones; one connected via satellite and the other via a traditional terrestrial cellular network, highlighting smooth interoperability between satellite and mobile connectivity.

Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology enables standard smartphones, vehicles, and IoT devices to connect directly to satellites without the need for specialised hardware. Built on globally recognised 3GPP standards, this innovation is rapidly gaining traction across the mobile and satellite ecosystem, including network operators, chipset providers, and device manufacturers.

The demo illustrates how satellite connectivity can extend coverage beyond terrestrial network limits, unlocking reliable communications for consumer devices, automotive applications, and industrial IoT use cases. By leveraging its existing satellite fleet and dedicated licensed spectrum, Viasat can deliver these capabilities without impacting terrestrial networks or requiring additional spectrum, enabling scalable, complementary connectivity in even the most remote locations.