13 December 2024

Viasat has successfully demonstrated direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity in Saudi Arabia for the first time, in conjunction with its ecosystem partners.

Viasat says it sent satellite-enabled two-way messages and SoS messages for attendees at the ‘Connecting the World from the Skies’ event in Riyadh.

The tests used a commercial Android smartphone enabled for non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity with the Bullitt over-the-top messaging application. Bullitt Satellite Messenger service is a direct-to-device NTN messaging service.

The messages were sent over Viasat’s L-band spacecraft, which orbits above the Indian Ocean, and were enabled by 3GPP standards-based NTN service infrastructure installed in Viasat’s gateways by NTN service provider Skylo.

Viasat’s approach of using already-licensed and dedicated satellite spectrum will enable it to work with mobile network operators to provide these services in the future without sacrificing or interfering with any terrestrial spectrum.