Deutsche Telekom is teaming up with Starlink to bring satellite-to-phone connectivity to some of Europe’s hardest-to-reach regions. The companies announced Monday that they plan to launch a satellite-based mobile network service in 2028 across 10 European countries.
The partnership will allow compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites when traditional cell coverage is unavailable — effectively closing long-standing rural and topographical coverage gaps.
The new service is expected to roll out in Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. It will be the first deployment in Europe to use Starlink’s second-generation V2 satellites, which are designed to deliver broadband directly to standard mobile phones.
“In partnership with Starlink, Deutsche Telekom will bring mobile communications to areas where network expansion is particularly challenging, for example due to nature conservation requirements or demanding topography,” the company said in a statement.
The system will operate within Starlink’s Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum. When a user’s smartphone loses terrestrial signal, it will automatically switch to the satellite network, enabling voice, data, and messaging access. Over time, the number of compatible devices is expected to grow as more smartphone makers integrate satellite connectivity hardware.
Stephanie Bednarek, VP of Starlink Sales, said the agreement represents a European first. “We’re so pleased to bring reliable satellite-to-mobile connectivity to millions of people across 10 countries in partnership with Deutsche Telekom,“ she said. “This agreement will be the first-of-its-kind in Europe to launch Starlink’s V2 next-generation technology that will expand on data, voice and messaging by providing broadband directly to mobile phones.“
By integrating satellite-based mobile connectivity, Telekom aims to strengthen its network resilience during natural disasters, infrastructure failures, or prolonged power outages. In Germany alone, the company says it already covers nearly 90% of the country’s geographic area with 5G and more than 92% with LTE, with voice coverage reaching up to 99%. Satellite connectivity will act as a fallback where ground-based infrastructure can’t reach.
Starlink currently operates around 9,000 satellites and serves more than 10 million customers globally. Earlier this year, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved the deployment of an additional 7,500 V2 satellites, paving the way for expanded global direct-to-device services.
The announcement comes as SpaceX reportedly prepares for a potential IPO that could reshape the private space market. The IPO could come as soon as next month, with a targeted valuation of around $1.75 trillion.
