05/22/2026
🛰️📱Hello from Samarkand!
During this week's GSMA Eurasia Event in Uzbekistan, we successfully showcased Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity in action by sharing messages via satellite on a commercially available Android smartphone.
The demonstration showcased smartphones sending and receiving messages over Viasat’s highly reliable L-band satellite network using 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards.
In a country-first, application-based messages were shared across two mass-market Android smartphones, with one connected via satellite using a companion device, and the other to a traditional terrestrial cellular network.
“Countries emerging as technology leaders like the Republic of Uzbekistan are rightly excited about the potential for Non-Terrestrial Networks.” said Sandeep Moorthy, Senior Vice President, Advanced Non-Terrestrial Solutions at Viasat.
“Through standards-based satellite connectivity, we can bring connectivity to millions more devices in areas currently underserved by cellular networks, with benefits for safety, sustainability and efficiency."
With huge thanks to our demonstration partners Raqamli texnologiyalar vazirligi – Ministry of Digital Technologies – Минцифры, UZ-SAT, and UZTELECOM.