Deutsche Telekom has announced a partnership with Starlink to expand mobile coverage across Europe using satellite-to-mobile technology.
The agreement aims to close remaining coverage gaps in areas where building traditional mobile towers is difficult, including remote regions, protected landscapes, and areas with challenging terrain.
The service is planned to launch in 2028 in several European Telekom markets, including Germany.
Satellite-To-Mobile to cover hard-to-reach areas
Deutsche Telekom said the satellite-based direct connectivity will complement its existing terrestrial mobile network.
The company noted that while it continues to invest in traditional infrastructure, certain regions remain difficult to cover due to topographical conditions or regulatory restrictions.
Under the agreement, Starlink’s satellite network will provide an additional connectivity layer in places where ground-based mobile coverage is unavailable. The goal is to ensure basic communication services even when conventional mobile sites cannot be installed.
“We provide our customers with the best mobile network. And we continue to invest heavily in expanding our infrastructure,” said Abdu Mudesir, Board Member for Product and Technology at Deutsche Telekom. “At the same time, there are regions where expansion is especially complex due to topographical conditions or official constraints. We want to ensure reliable connectivity for our customers in those areas as well. That is why we are strategically complementing our network with satellite-to-mobile connectivity. For us, it is clear: connectivity creates security and trust. And we deliver. Everywhere.”
Direct-To-Device Connectivity
The planned service will operate in Starlink’s Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum. Compatible smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites without requiring additional hardware.
When a smartphone loses its terrestrial signal, it will automatically switch to the satellite network. This will allow access to data, voice calls, and text messaging.
According to Starlink, the agreement will introduce its next-generation V2 satellite technology in Europe, expanding beyond basic messaging to support broadband services directly to mobile devices.
The number of compatible devices in Europe is expected to increase gradually ahead of the 2028 launch, by which time Starlink’s next-generation satellite constellation is scheduled to be deployed.
Emergency and infrastructure backup
Telekom said integrating satellite-based mobile connectivity will improve network resilience, particularly in emergencies.
In cases such as natural disasters or extended power outages, satellite connectivity can provide a backup communication channel when ground infrastructure is disrupted.
This approach supports Telekom’s broader “network everywhere” strategy, which focuses on delivering the best available connection at any time.
The company stated that in Germany, its 5G network currently covers close to 90 per cent of the country’s geographic area, LTE covers more than 92 per cent, and voice services reach up to 99 per cent of the area.
The addition of Starlink’s satellite connectivity is intended to extend coverage to areas beyond the reach of traditional mobile towers, creating a combined terrestrial and satellite network model. The service rollout is scheduled for early 2028 across selected European markets.
“We’re so pleased to bring reliable satellite-to-mobile connectivity to millions of people across 10 countries in partnership with Deutsche Telekom,“ said Stephanie Bednarek, VP of Starlink Sales. “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.“
