FALLS CHURCH, Virginia–(BUSINESS WIRE). a satellite direct-to-standard cellular phone service. This FCC license enables Lynk to launch commercial services for its global satellite constellation later this year, paving the way for universal mobile connectivity.
Margo Deckard, Lynk COO and co-founder said: “The FCC is the gold standard of telecommunications regulators. They have in-depth technical knowledge and have completed a rigorous verification process that confirms Lynk’s first-of-its-kind satellite direct-to-standard cellular service is ready for global deployment.” Deckard added, “We applaud the FCC and its staff for using their Smallsat Rules to accelerate innovation in space. We are honored to receive the first-ever commercial license for the world’s first true satellite direct-to-standard cellular service from such a credible and well-respected regulator.”
Lynk launched Lynk Tower 1 on April 1, the first satellite covered by the FCC license. Lynk is set to launch three more satellites – also known as Lynk Towers 2, 3 and 4 and Lynk’s 7th8thth, and 9th Cell towers in space later this year as the company makes strides in delivering its global service. Lynk has signed agreements with 15 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in 36 countries, representing over 240 million mobile subscribers, and is actively testing in 10 countries.
Today only 10% of the earth’s surface is covered by terrestrial mobile connectivity. This means that 90% of the planet is in “black spots”, also known as “0G”. 0G is a problem for four billion people. More than three billion people with a mobile phone experience extended periods of disconnection each year. Another billion people will buy their first phone each year when there is affordable cell phone coverage where they live and work.
This FCC license also allows Lynk to provide emergency communications services to help people recover from disasters and save lives. Earlier this year, the Tonga volcanic eruption, like so many other events, demonstrated the need for a global “instant backup” system to ensure mobile connectivity no matter what. Lynk satellite cell towers are unaffected by tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, snowstorms, tornadoes, or other effects that can damage ground-based cell towers.
Steve Case, Chairman of Revolution (Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund is an investor in Lynk) and co-founder of America Online (AOL), stated: “As a co-founder of America Online, I understand and support Lynk’s mission to connect everyone on earth via its satellite direct-to-cellular service. Lynk has taken a major step toward achieving its goals with FCC approval of the world’s first commercial satellite direct-to-phone license. Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund is proud to support a company that recognizes the value of connecting the 8 billion people on this planet – from both a business and global security perspective.”
“Technologies like Lynk’s satellite direct-to-standard cellular service are an important part of the evolving mobile ecosystem and will be critical in enabling coverage in underserved regions,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer, GSMA. “Working closely with mobile network operators, Lynk satellite services will support the goal of ubiquitous connectivity for the benefit of society and business worldwide.”
“Mongolia’s telecommunications sector faces a unique challenge as the country is one of the most sparsely populated in the world. From mountain ranges to steppe prairies, from the Gobi desert to the northern taiga, thousands of nomads inhabit the Mongolian countryside, and they all need a constant and reliable connection to the world. So far we have increased the coverage of our mobile and 4G LTE network to over 80% of the population, making Unitel Group the leading telecom operator in Mongolia,” says Bat-Erdene.G, CTO of Unitel Group. “The FCC approval of Lynk’s commercial system is an important step in allowing Unitel Group to expand our efforts to provide the best connectivity to our customers, no matter where they are in Mongolia,” he continues.
About Lynk
In 2022, Lynk received the first-ever license from the FCC to provide the world’s first commercial satellite direct-to-cellular service, enabling affordable, reliable cellular connectivity. From launch, Lynk will enable two-way emergency messaging, emergency services, and regular SMS messaging on any phone anywhere in the world. Founded in 2017 by veteran space and telecom leaders, the Lynk team invented, patented and proved that a satellite could serve as a “transmission tower in space” and connect directly to a standard cellular phone on Earth – a technological feat pioneered by independent third parties has been confirmed. Today, Lynk is the only company in the world that has succeeded in sending text messages to and from space via unmodified mobile devices. By partnering with Lynk through a simple roaming agreement, a mobile network operator opens the door to untapped markets, offers subscribers security through ubiquitous connectivity, and provides a path to economic prosperity for billions of people around the world. For more information, visit www.lynk.world or follow @lynktheworld.
