Key Takeaways
- OQ Technology, a Luxembourg‑based satellite operator, will trial direct‑to‑smartphone (D2D) connectivity in Germany in 2026 using Telefonica Germany’s 2.6 GHz mid‑band spectrum.
- The demonstration will involve a single low‑Earth‑orbit satellite launching in the first half of 2027, testing two‑way messaging and voice with unmodified smartphones.
- The trial aims to gather data on coverage, interference, and service optimization, informing future expansion of D2D services across cellular frequencies.
- OQ Technology already operates a 12‑satellite LEO constellation for IoT and has secured a €30 million loan from the European Investment Bank to grow its fleet beyond 20 spacecraft.
- The company is pursuing multi‑band satellite designs to give mobile operators and governments flexible, sovereign connectivity options, including emergency backup and defense‑related uses such as drone video transmission.
- Regulatory moves in Europe to re‑allocate S‑band spectrum could affect access for non‑European players, underscoring the strategic importance of OQ’s partnership with a European telco.
- OQ Technology’s recent defense award from Luxembourg’s government for the Sentinel project highlights its expanding role in securing satellite uplinks against jamming and spoofing.
OQ Technology’s Direct‑to‑Smartphone Initiative
OQ Technology, headquartered in Luxembourg, announced on June 8 a partnership with Telefonica Germany to trial direct‑to‑smartphone satellite connectivity. The collaboration will use Telefonica Germany’s licensed 2.6 GHz mid‑band spectrum, which is already employed for terrestrial mobile services across Europe. By leveraging this existing cellular spectrum, OQ aims to enable two‑way messaging and voice between a forthcoming low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite and standard, unmodified smartphones, positioning itself as a European challenger to U.S.-led D2D efforts such as SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile.
Technical Approach and Timeline
The trial will hinge on a single dedicated satellite slated for launch in the first half of 2027. While the satellite orbits, it will provide brief windows of connectivity over the test site in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania, northeastern Germany—approximately two passes per day, each lasting five to ten minutes. During these windows, the system will support emergency voice calls and instant messaging, facilitated by a nearby ground gateway that reduces latency. OQ Technology’s CEO, Omar Qaise, emphasized that the demonstration is designed to collect real‑world data on coverage quality, interference management, and service optimization, which will be crucial for regulators and mobile network operators evaluating the viability of D2D services.
Building on Existing IoT Infrastructure
OQ Technology already operates a constellation of 12 LEO satellites primarily serving its Internet of Things (IoT) tracking and monitoring business, which uses S‑band spectrum. In February the company secured a €30 million loan from the European Investment Bank to fund the deployment of more than 20 additional spacecraft, expanding capacity for both IoT and emerging D2D applications. Last year, OQ successfully transmitted an emergency broadcast message to unmodified smartphones via its S‑band IoT link, proving that narrowband satellite connectivity can reach standard handsets without modification. The upcoming D2D trial will build on this foundation, testing the same concept but using cellular spectrum instead of proprietary S‑band allocations.
Future Multi‑Band Strategy
Looking ahead, OQ Technology plans to adopt a multi‑band satellite architecture that can operate across S‑band, C‑band, and cellular frequencies. This flexibility will allow mobile operators to select the most appropriate band for their specific coverage needs, regulatory environment, and service requirements. By offering satellites that can switch between bands, OQ aims to give telcos and governments a toolbox for extending connectivity into rural or underserved areas, while also providing resilient backup links in case terrestrial networks are disrupted by natural disasters or cyberattacks.
Spectrum and Regulatory Context in Europe
The European Commission is currently reshaping access to portions of the S‑band spectrum, with existing authorizations set to expire in 2027. Under the proposed framework, the band would be split into three blocks: one reserved for government communications tied to Europe’s IRIS² sovereign broadband constellation, another open only to European entrants, and the final block available to both European and non‑European operators. This reallocation could impact companies like Viasat and EchoStar, which currently use S‑band in Europe, and may influence the competitive landscape for D2D services. OQ Technology’s partnership with Telefonica Germany, a European incumbent, positions it favorably to navigate these changes while advocating for open‑standard, licensed‑spectrum solutions that preserve operator sovereignty.
Defense and Government Applications
Beyond commercial telecommunications, OQ Technology is exploring defense‑related uses of its constellation. The company recently demonstrated the ability to transmit video from a compact drone via its S‑band link, employing edge‑compression techniques to fit the footage into a narrowband IoT channel without requiring power‑hungry broadband terminals. This test showed that lightweight drones could benefit from satellite connectivity for infrastructure monitoring, traffic surveillance, and autonomous guidance beyond terrestrial coverage. OQ hopes to extend these capabilities to high‑resolution video transmission in C‑band, S‑band, and cellular frequencies as part of future D2D missions.
Luxembourg Government Support and the Sentinel Project
Reflecting its growing strategic importance, Luxembourg’s government awarded OQ Technology €2.28 million (approximately $2.63 million) for the Sentinel project, a joint research initiative with the University of Luxembourg focused on protecting 5G satellite uplinks against jamming, spoofing, and electromagnetic attacks. This contract marks OQ’s first major defense award and aligns with the company’s broader objective of delivering sovereign satellite communications for both commercial and government users across Europe. The funding will help OQ develop resilient link‑layer technologies that can safeguard critical communications in contested environments.
Implications for the European D2D Market
OQ Technology’s upcoming trial in Germany represents a concrete step toward establishing a European‑based alternative to U.S.-dominated direct‑to‑device services. By partnering with a major European telecom and utilizing licensed cellular spectrum, the company seeks to demonstrate that D2D connectivity can be delivered without requiring smartphones to undergo hardware modifications or users to subscribe to proprietary services. The data gathered from the Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania test will inform not only OQ’s own roadmap but also the broader discussion among regulators, operators, and policymakers about how to integrate satellite links into national mobile networks while preserving spectrum sovereignty and ensuring interoperable, open‑standard solutions.
Conclusion
In summary, OQ Technology is poised to test direct‑to‑smartphone satellite connectivity in Germany using Telefonica Germany’s 2.6 GHz spectrum, with a single LEO satellite launching in 2027. The trial will evaluate two‑way messaging and voice capabilities, generate essential performance data, and support the company’s vision of a flexible, multi‑band satellite fleet that complements terrestrial networks, provides emergency backup, and serves defense and government applications. Backed by recent financing from the European Investment Bank, a defensive research award from Luxembourg, and strategic alliances with European telecoms, OQ Technology aims to carve out a sovereign, interoperable niche in the fast‑evolving direct‑to‑device market, challenging the current U.S.‑led leadership while reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in space‑based communications.