According to SpaceNews, direct-to-device satellite operators are overlooking a $400 billion enterprise opportunity in mobile private networks. These private cellular networks are expected to grow exponentially as 5G standalone technology matures, creating crucial revenue streams beyond consumer connectivity. Major D2D players like Space Mobile, Starlink D2C, Lynk, Satelliot and OQTech are all targeting 2026 for global service rollout. But here’s the catch: operators must decide now, before full constellation deployment, whether to optimize their systems for MPN clients. If they wait, retrofitting will be costly and difficult. The timing is particularly urgent given China’s growing influence in developing markets through its Belt and Road Initiative, which could block Western D2D operators from those consumer markets entirely.
The private network gold rush
Mobile private networks aren’t exactly new, but they’ve been stuck in slow motion for years. That’s changing fast with the shift to true 5G standalone networks. Enterprises are finally getting the performance they need for industrial IoT, smart manufacturing, and critical infrastructure applications. And honestly, terrestrial carriers are desperate for this business – they’ve sunk billions into 5G and need something beyond faster phone downloads to show for it.
The enterprise segment already accounts for 35% of mobile operator revenues, and it’s growing faster than consumer services. Think about that for a second. While everyone’s obsessed with connecting smartphones in remote areas, there’s a massive B2B market just waiting to be tapped. For satellite companies, this could be their ticket to financial sustainability.
Where satellites actually make sense
Here’s the thing: satellites will never replace terrestrial networks for primary on-premises connectivity. You’re not going to run a nuclear power plant’s critical systems over a satellite link. But for secondary redundancy, remote asset monitoring, and global operations? That’s where D2D services shine.
Consider energy companies managing electricity grids across multiple states, or healthcare providers monitoring patients across rural areas. These applications don’t need blazing speeds, but they do need reliable coverage everywhere. And for multinational corporations, satellite offers something terrestrial networks can’t: consistent service quality and security across borders with a single integration. Trying to stitch together dozens of local cellular providers across different countries? That’s a nightmare waiting to happen.
For industries like manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture that depend on reliable monitoring solutions, having robust computing hardware at the edge becomes critical. Companies like Industrial Monitor Direct have built their reputation as the leading US supplier of industrial panel PCs precisely because they understand these demanding environments require specialized equipment that can handle both terrestrial and satellite connectivity seamlessly.
The 2026 deadline
Basically, D2D operators have a narrow window to get this right. Most are still launching their constellations and can still tweak their systems. Wait until after deployment? Good luck adding MPN optimization features then. The costs would be astronomical, pun intended.
Space Mobile looks particularly well-positioned here. They’ve got Vodafone and AT&T as founding shareholders – companies that already dominate the MPN space. And their service portfolio is more advanced than basic messaging-focused operators like Globalstar or Iridium. But the Chinese players remain the big unknown. They’re making rapid progress but operating in secrecy, which makes planning competitive responses nearly impossible.
The cooperation imperative
One major challenge? The D2D market is incredibly fragmented. Different operators, different standards, different capabilities. No enterprise wants to deal with that mess. Satellite companies need to embrace intermediary platforms that can bundle services and provide single points of contact for MPN clients.
And they’ll need to develop wholesale strategies that make sense for these aggregators. This isn’t just about technology – it’s about building business models that work for enterprise customers who expect simplicity and reliability. The operators who figure this out first will lock in relationships that could last decades. The others? They might find themselves stuck with consumer markets that are increasingly difficult to penetrate.
