AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global: Serious D2D Contenders Against Starlink?

This IDC Market Perspective provides an overview of key operational and financial aspects of two aspirational direct-to-device (D2D) players AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global. It identifies aspects of the market open to them and details their rivalry with the current dominant LEO satellite player Starlink."D2D is an important new market for MNOs. They should look beyond the hype of its immediate rewards and focus on longer-term issues regarding infrastructure partners with which they wish to work. European MNOs will need to accept current options; they will need to work with players based in North America. Governance of LEO systems will often be complex as they will have global operations and investors and this is a key area MNOs need to consider as they weigh partnerships and possible investments," said Simon Baker, senior research director, IDC EMEA.