such as satellite-to-phone services Starlink MobileHelping users stay connected in mobile dead zones may be all the rage in the telecom industry. But the new report raises questions about whether US customers are actually using the technology.
Ookla, the parent company of Speedtest.net, has published a report A rare look at the satellite-to-phone market covering US and international use of Starlink Mobile, Skyloand Lynk Global for Android phones. It collected data from people who installed the Speedtest Android app and connected to the satellite service. The report shows that the percentage of users accessing satellite technology in the US and Canada has decreased in recent months.
Percentage of Speedtest Android app users who have activated satellite services. (Credit: Ookla)
“This could be due to a variety of factors, including seasonal usage trends (people travel less in the winter),” writes Ookla industry analyst Mike Dano. Another factor is the launch of SpaceX’s partner, T-Mobile is filled to access Starlink Mobile in July, except for customers on their most premium plans. In Canada, Rogers Communications did the same in December.
Unique users in Canada (Credit: Ookla)
Globally, satellite-to-phone connections grew 24.5% between July 2025 and March 2026, when Starlink Mobile began offering service in countries such as Peru, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
But still, only a small percentage of mobile users subscribe to satellite-to-phone services in those markets. “For example, in March 2026, 0.46% of US Speedtest users reported a D2D (direct-to-device) satellite connection,” Dano wrote. “In Chile, the figure was 1.26% (highest). In Canada, it was 0.70%. In Japan, it was 0.11% (lowest). This is noteworthy because it helps define the size and scope of the overall D2D market.”
It’s not exactly a surprise. Satellite-to-phone services remain limited in capability and focus primarily on enabling users in mobile dead zones to send text messages, although Starlink Mobile can boost select applications and even video calls. Conversely, users in traditional cell tower networks can easily consume gigabytes of data for heavy usage.
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It’s also worth noting that Ookla’s report only gives us a snapshot of Android usage; this does not include Globalstar satellite services In Apple iPhones, which are estimated to hold more than half of the US market.
Still, satellite industry analyst Tim Farrar praised Ooklan’s report. tweet: “The highly seasonal nature confirms that D2D, like traditional MSS (mobile satellite service) messengers, is episodic, and hardly anyone wants to use this service, even with free access.”
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It’s early days for the satellite-to-phone market, he said. SpaceX and rivals AST SpaceMobile and Amazon are developing new and improved satellite systems that promise faster speeds and greater capacity in the coming years. SpaceX also offers 5G speeds and downloads of up to 150 Mbps per user after starting to roll out the second generation Starlink Mobile system next year.
But the debate continues over whether customers should really pay for such services, especially if they rarely find themselves in a mobile dead zone. who became CEO of Globalstar in December 2024 Amazon has since bought itwas suspicious Given that Apple offers satellite features for free on eligible iPhones, customers will pay.
Farrar he added It noted that the increase in usage of Starlink Mobile and other satellite services is not necessarily positive either, as it can lead to network congestion and slower speeds for other users.
About our specialist
Michael Kahn
Chief reporter
Experience
I have been a journalist for more than 15 years. I started as a school and city reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, covering satellite internet services, cybersecurity, computer hardware, and more. I currently live in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing more than 600 stories on availability and feature launches, as well as regulatory battles over expanding satellite constellations, battles with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and efforts to expand into mobile satellite-based service. I scoured FCC filings for the latest news and traveled to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cell service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. in 2024 and 2025 The FTC forced Avast to pay $16.5 million for secretly collecting consumers’ personal information and selling it to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint disclosure investigation with the motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Disadvantages during the pandemic he took me to the camp In front of Best Buy to get the RTX 3000. Now I’m watching how AI-based memory shortages affect the entire consumer electronics market. I’m always eager to learn more, so please leave feedback in the comments and send me tips.
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