Satellite Phones: Are US Users Tuning Out?

Satellite-to-phone services, including Starlink Mobile, are facing a potential dip in US and Canadian usage. Ookla's report reveals a decrease in these connections, possibly due to seasonal factors and the introduction of charges by providers like T-Mobile and Rogers Communications in July 2025 and December 2024 respectively. This contrasts with a global increase of 24.5% in satellite-to-phone connections from July 2025 to March 2026, a period that saw Starlink Mobile expand to countries like Peru, Ukraine, and the UK.

However, even globally, the percentage of users connecting to direct-to-device satellite services remains small. In March 2026, only 0.46% of Speedtest users in the US connected via satellite, with Chile reporting the highest at 1.26% and Japan the lowest at 0.11%. These services are currently bandwidth-constrained, primarily supporting text messages, though some can handle apps and video calls. The market is still developing, with companies like SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Amazon working on upgraded systems promising faster speeds and greater capacity in the coming years.