The main topics of the Congress were Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sovereignty and, in relation to satellite technologies, D2D.

The mobile industry's contribution to global GDP is $7.55 trillion. This figure is expected to increase to $11 trillion by 2030.

The world is currently witnessing the development of 5G infrastructure. Smart factories are being built, and robots are being actively used. The USA, China, East Asia, and the Persian Gulf monarchies are market leaders. Countries that have not yet committed to a widespread transition to 5G - risk to be left behind. Compared to previous exhibitions, the next generation, 6G, received relatively little attention. This is due to the fact that all players are busy actually implementing the 5G potential.

Meanwhile, the main advantages and useful features of 5G networks are not focused on individual subscribers. 4G is fair enough for watching videos and Netflix. 5G is designed for the industry.

Satellite Communications

Satellite communications are no longer perceived as a niche solution for a narrow range of tasks. At MWC, it was clear that the industry was making a transition to a state where satellites became part of a single network.

The mobile satellite communications market is projected to exceed $200 billion, and the number of D2D (Direct-to-Device) users will reach 100+ million. European players are focusing on scaling pan-European 6G networks with NTN integration.

Qualcomm unveiled solutions that will bring satellite communications to the mass market. The Snapdragon X105 modem supporting 3GPP Release 19 and NR-NTN technology will enable flagship smartphones in the second half of 2026 to not only send short messages, but also make voice and video calls via satellite at speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The Snapdragon Wearable Elite platform brings satellite communications (NB-NTN) to smartwatches, enabling emergency messages to be sent without being tethered to a smartphone.

Also, as part of the development of NTN, telecom operators are building networks that connect satellites in different orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO) with high data rates between satellites in different orbits.

At MWC, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) presented a prototype of CubeSota, a laser satellite communications terminal based on a 6U CubeSat with the ability to transmit at a speed of up to 10 Gbit/s over a distance of up to 1,000 km (LEO-LEO, LOE-ground, LEO-HAPS). At the moment, speeds have only been tested on the ground, but NICT and its partners plan for laser satellite communication technology to be integrated into 5G/6G infrastructures.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is crucial. AI is migrating from computing data centers to the edge of the network, including user devices, with a certain physical person behind. So, AI in the native language for such individual is essential. Currently, AI data sets are generated geographically in Western countries, as the language in which queries are made is important. There are about 7,000 languages ​​in the world, about 2,000 of them are in Africa, but AI only works in a few of them. Therefore, there is a huge language gap in AI usage. If people don't use AI in their native language, if AI isn't trained in that language, such peopleare outside the overall process. AI will only become truly widespread when every person can use it in its native language. This means that in addition to the coverage and affordability gaps, there is another obstacle in the use of modern digital services – a language gap. Many companies are investing in AI language models. Even GSMA, together with several members of the association, has initiated an open AI platform project in Swahili. In general such language AI models are a unique field for experiments.

Also, all major international mobile network operators (Airtel, Orange, Vodafone, etc.) note the importance of security, trust, and fraud protection when working online and with AI.

Therefore, the main topic of the Congress was the synergy of sustainable, convenient, broadband, secure, sovereign user connectivity and artificial intelligence for practical applications.

The age of "Connected Intelligence" begins. It rests on three main pillars: 5G, AI andSecurity.

At the same time, completing the 5G transition is very important. On average, worldwide mobile network operators' revenue increased by 4-8% after the launch of 5G networks.

5G is important for the active introduction of AI, as it is the infrastructure where AI operates. 2026 marks the beginning of active use of AI,i.e. its transition from technology to commercialization. And here the question arises: what comes first and is more important for the industry: telecom operators for AI or AI for telecom operators. Telecom companies are either only building AI infrastructure or becoming active players in the AI ​​market because they have the entire infrastructure, and this needs to be used.

This means that large telecom operators have the opportunity to become the main initiators of AI services. The use of clouds and digital transformation allows operators to create an "Intelligent Cloud" that will provide various components of the operator's telecom and IT infrastructure «As- A Service» for AI computing. The architecture of this Intelligent Cloud includes the following components:

1. Software as a Service. In the form of applications for government agencies, manufacturing, traffic management, education, healthcare, pensions, security, finance and environmental protection.
2. AI Model as a Service. Proprietary open or closed large language model.
3. Data as a Service. Proprietary client dataset (a data array used for training neural networks and conducting analysis) An open-source dataset. Or an external dataset.
4. Platform as a Service. Planning the use of computing power. Mechanisms for AI training and data extraction. Optimisation and acceleration.
5. Infrastructure as a Service. Telecommunications infrastructure of a telecom operator (cellular, broadband, satellite, IoT, and international fibre) for various types of machine computing.

GSMA has launched the “Open Telco AI” initiative to test AI for telecom operators.

Safety is also important. Fraud is a huge problem. In 2025, digital fraud costed users $442 billion globally, with 50% of users experiencing fraudulent attempts at least once a week. The percentage of prosecuted cybercriminals is a measly less than 0.1%!

The widespread use of AI sets new requirements for infrastructure. The transition from human-to-computer inquiries towards machine self-computing creates a shortage of the required infrastructure. Forecasts for global traffic growth by 2033 reach figures up to 10 times. At the same time, the costs of infrastructure development are not always covered by the growth in revenues of mobile network operators. The solution may be found in consolidation. It helps to balance the industry competitive landscape of local and global players. According to a PWC report, the number of major mergers and acquisitions in the technology sector significantly outpaced all other sectors of the global economy during the period of 2024-2025.

Digital divides continue to exist. Currently, 96% of the Earth's population live in areas covered by cellular networks (this corresponds to 38% of the landmass). Thus, 4% of the population is outside the coverage of mobile networks, which is more than 300,000 people, the size close to the population of the United States. 3.1 billion people live within coverage but do not use mobile Internet. This means that the total number of unconnected people is 3.4 billion. But all AI ​​initiatives and, in general, all 5G benefits can only work effectively if everyone is connected.

D2D

Satellite is becoming a disruptive technology for the mobile communications industry, complementing the terrestrial network in remote areas. This allows mobile network operators to provide 100% coverage both nationally and globally. Moreover, the satellite has the potential to become even a competitor. The introduction of satellite channel standards into 5G network standards, as well as the development of satellite technologies, have made possible the widespread use of LEO satellites for connecting the user smartphones via satellite (D2D). Thus, the satellite network becomes simply an addition to the mobile operator’s terrestrial network. Even cellular operators call satellites a “cell tower in space”.

There are currently around 700 D2D satellites in the world. According to GSMA study on D2D service, with maximum use of the radio frequency spectrum allocated to cellular networks (1100 MHz) and the maximum possible number of D2D satellites (42K), D2D will be able to provide a basic 2 Mbps service (equivalent to 3G) to 12% of the world's population (45% of the rural population) and a 20 Mbps service (equivalent to 4G) to less than 2% of the world's population. Therefore, the market must consider this service as a complementary to terrestrial networks rather than the main one. But a ubiquitous service, with 100% coverage of the planet, including polar regions.

Starlink Mobile

The most prominent example of using satellites for direct communication with unmodified smartphones is the Starlink Mobile LEO network. The first-generation network was deployed within 18 months, starting in 2024. It includes 650 satellites with global coverage, making it the world's largest 4G network by geographic coverage. It uses radio spectrum of cellular operators. Currently, there are 16 million unique users registered in the network. With 10 million active subscribers registering monthly. By the end of 2026, the operator expects 25 million connections. Starlink Mobile satellites fly in a lower orbit (350 km) than the main broadband satellites (550 km). This is to ensure more stable communication with subscriber devices on the ground. Moreover, all satellites are equipped with inter-satellite laser lines. Starlink Mobile satellites receive a signal from a smartphone on the ground and then transmit it to the main Starlink constellation. From there, the signal lands at the gateway station and then enters the ground networks for delivery to the recipient. Acallback or message goes in reverse mode.

The operator has now launched its SMS notification service into commercial operation, which is already operating in the networks of cellular operators in the United States, Canada, Japan and some European countries that have made relevant contracts and have been authorised to use the frequencies allocated to them on the satellite in their countries. In total, as of the beginning of March 2026, the service covered 32 countries and 35 mobile network operators. The satellite service covers an area of ​​30 million square kilometres. Moreover, in Ukraine, within the Kyivstar mobile operator network, this service was rolled out across the entire network for the first time in Europe. In November 2025, all 15 million Kyivstar subscribers received the opportunity to work via satellite. 5 million users have already registered and have sent around 7 million SMS messages over the past few months.

Currently provided services include SMS, narrowband data (WhatsApp text messages) and calls (in testing). Therefore, in fact, the first generation of Starlink Mobile is a 3G network. The second generation will offer a full 5G network service, just like on the ground. Its deployment is scheduled for mid-2027.

To this end, in order to utilize additional radio frequency spectrum, SpaceX acquired the rights to the S-band in the United States, which, according to them, allows for its use globally (subject to obtaining the appropriate regulatory approvals locally). Thus, in addition to the terrestrial radio frequency spectrum of cellular operators, the Starlink satellite network will also include frequencies from the Mobile Satellite Service, which are increasingly being included by smartphone manufacturers in new models.

The second generation of Starlink Mobile is significantly superior to the first. 20 times better radio link budget due to five times larger phased array antenna on satellites. The capacity available in each beam is 4 times more than before. The beams will be 20/20 MHz. All 3GPP standards for non-terrestrial 5G networks will be implemented in communication protocols. This means that integration with the cellular operator's terrestrial network will be seamless as soon as the smartphone switches from terrestrial network to the satellite. Like switching between two ground base stations, while one of them flies at an altitude of 350 km.

The maximum possible speed available to a user on the downlink from the satellite to the smartphone will be up to 150 Mbps. The throughput capacity of each satellite has been significantly increased. So, how many subscribers can each satellite support? Throughput increased by 100 times. This is achieved by using a larger phased arrayantenna on the satellite, with narrower and more powerful beams, plus the total number of beams on the satellite has been increased by 16 times. Thus, the total throughput of each satellite will be 100 Gbit/s on the downlink and 50 Gbit/s on the uplink.

The total number of satellites in the 2nd generation of Starlink Mobile is 1,200. And the company intends to deploy them within 6 months. Starship launches are planned (50 satellites per launch).

Thus, by the end of 2027, Starlink plans to have a fully operational satellite communications network that operates from a regular smartphone, including voice and broadband data, and is accessible throughout the entire Earth, including the polar regions.

Other D2D systems

Furthermore, the exhibition featured various presentations dedicated to the promising D2D market, which can be summed up in one term: consolidation, cooperation, partnership.

Two of the world's largest satellite operators, SES and Intelsat, now a single entity, have invested in D2D network operator Lynk Global, which in turn has merged with another D2D operator, Omnispace. Thus, an alliance has been formed that combines the most efficient use of all orbits and ranges for the D2D service. Within this structure, the D2D satellites are placed to LEO for bidirectional communication with subscriber terminals. Then, the traffic is transmitted via inter-satellite links to MEO (SES O3B satellites) and is downloaded to the ground via the teleport network already built for this MEO system. Thus, there is no need to build a separate ground infrastructure for D2D LEO satellites. Control and telemetry of the D2D satellite is carried out via SES GEO satellites. This creates a multi-orbit, multi-band, multi-service satellite communications network of the future, making SES an absolutely universal satellite operator of all satellite services (FSS, BSS, and now MSS), all orbits, and any application. SES is building all next-generation satellites to be capable of operating in 5G networks according to accepted cellular industry standards.

Lynk uses the terrestrial radio frequency spectrum of cellular operators, and Omnispace uses the frequencies of mobile satellite service (S-band), which will soon be available in all smartphones produced with a single chip for MSS and NTN frequencies, all within the 5G protocol and standards.

Lynk currently has roaming agreements with 50 mobile operators worldwide, 30 of which already operate via satellite.

Technically, a D2D satellite is a cellular tower in space, with one difference: it flies at the speed of 20,000 km/h and is located 500 km away from the smartphone. Therefore, technically, engineers had to solve two problems when designing the system: distance (500 km instead of 35 km as in a conventional ground base station) and the Doppler effect. A special protocol was developed so that an unmodified smartphone could connect to a satellite base station as if itwasa regular base station. From the subscriber's side, this looks like roaming between networks.

Modern 4G/5G phones already work with a satellite base station. Work is underway to support all phones, down to 2G and any device: smartphones, watches, IoT sensors, tractors, etc., in the near future.

In this case, the entire intelligent part is located on the satellite, and on the ground there is only a means of connecting to cellular operator networks. Satellite lifetime is 10 years.

Another D2D player, AST Mobile, managed to attract $4 billion (!!!) investments in 2025, indicating very high expectations for the D2D market.

Also worth noting is the huge joint stand of ViaSat and Space 42 (Yahsat/Thuraya) dedicated to a joint venture called Equatys. The goal of the Equatys project is to create the industry's first "space tower" (TowerCo) model — an independent, neutral platform with shared infrastructure. It is designed to provide direct satellite-to-mobile (D2D) communication services. The network will use 3GPP NTN (non-terrestrial networks) standards, allowing standard smartphones and IoT devices to switch to satellite communications in areas not covered by terrestrial networks without special equipment. The planned constellation could include up to 2,800 satellites in 60 orbital planes at three different altitudes. It is planned to use the radio frequency spectrum in the L- and S-bands (MSS). Both satellite operators have access to more than 100 MHz of coordinated spectrum (Inmarsat and Thuraya). The companies plan to launch commercial services within the next three years. At the same time, the platform is open, and industry players can join the project.

Sovereignty

Many roundtable speakers agreed that the primary users of satellites, as well as AI, in the near future would be governments. Therefore, the topic of sovereignty was very loudly heard at the Congress in all areas. Sovereignty in everything, every element. Satellites, satellite constellations, telecom infrastructure, AI, computing, data, data storage and processing – all must be sovereign. Even Amazon Web Services advertised standalone, remote data centres and proprietary clouds that were not connected to their main network.

In conclusion, it is worth mentioning a cite of one expert's observation: despite telecom operators around the world cutting capital expenditures and personnel, the Mobile World Congress, as a forum, is expanding. This is happening because the industry itself is growing. Due to new players, crossover with related industries, and the general direction of modern civilization's development toward the digitalisation of all aspects of life, which are now impossible without AI. And AI cannot work without a developed telecom infrastructure where everyone is connected.