FCC Chair Calls for Multiple Satellite-to-Phone Players Beyond Starlink

Brendan Carr has said the emerging direct-to-device (D2D) satellite market should not be dominated by a single provider, arguing that the sector needs at least three facilities-based competitors to meet demand.

As reported in PC World, when speaking at a CTIA industry event in Washington last week, Carr pointed to the current imbalance in the U.S. market, where SpaceX’s Starlink remains the only provider offering more-than-messaging satellite-to-phone services at scale. According to Fierce Network, Carr said a more competitive landscape is necessary as the market matures.

While Starlink continues to lead early deployments, supported by its partnership with MNO T-Mobile, uptake has been more limited than initially expected, and functionality remains constrained to a narrow set of applications. Other providers, including Skylo and Globalstar, are currently focused on messaging-based services.

Carr highlighted two additional players aiming to expand into full data-capable D2D services - Amazon and AST SpaceMobile. Amazon is progressing its Project Kuiper constellation and has signalled ambitions to move into direct-to-cell capabilities, while AST SpaceMobile is advancing a smaller number of high-capacity satellites, backed by commercial agreements with AT&T and Verizon.

The push for greater competition comes as the role of satellite in the mobile ecosystem continues to evolve, shifting from emergency messaging toward broader data services. Carr’s comments suggest regulators are keen to avoid early consolidation around a single dominant provider, particularly as operators explore how NTN can complement terrestrial networks.

At the same time, Starlink’s influence remains significant. Recent performance improvements and ongoing regulatory support have reinforced its position, even as new entrants work to scale their own constellations and secure operator partnerships.