{"id":25602,"date":"2026-03-03T12:01:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/?p=25602"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:13:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:13:44","slug":"gsma-calls-for-regulatory-readiness-for-direct-to-user-leo-satellite-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/press-release\/gsma-calls-for-regulatory-readiness-for-direct-to-user-leo-satellite-services\/","title":{"rendered":"GSMA Calls for Regulatory Readiness for Direct-to-User LEO Satellite Services\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New paper recommends developing adaptive and proportionate regulatory frameworks for Direct-to-User LEO satellite services<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3rd March 2026, Barcelona:<\/strong>  A new era of Satellite services, enabled by Low-Earth-Orbit constellations, requires a fresh approach to regulation worldwide, according to a position paper released today by the GSMA, the global organisation representing mobile operators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper, \u2018Regulatory Preparedness for Satellite Services\u2019, urges policymakers to take proactive steps to modernise regulatory frameworks and outlines five guiding principles to promote innovation, ensure consistent user protection across technologies, safeguard essential public-interest needs, support investment across communications networks, and build consumer trust.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEO satellite\u202fconstellations\u202fare reshaping how services are delivered and expanding connectivity to underserved communities. However, regulatory approaches to these emerging services (when provided without partnership with mobile operators) remain uneven and, in many markets, underdeveloped. In many countries, existing frameworks are not designed for these new models, creating uncertainty for all communication providers, investors and consumers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper argues that now is the right time for policymakers to refine regulations while deployments are still in their early stages. Aligning rules with technological shifts, will enable timely and effective market access and safeguard consumer and societal interests <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer of the GSMA, said:\u202f\u201c<\/strong>As LEO satellite services rapidly advance, they are transforming global connectivity, expanding coverage to underserved communities, strengthening resilience, and enabling new D2D services. A growing number of partnerships between mobile and satellite providers is accelerating innovation and enhancing the overall connectivity experience for users. <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As these capabilities scale, governments are increasingly considering the need for greater regulatory alignment. Establishing comparable requirements for mobile and satellite providers delivering similar services will help ensure consistent consumer protection, support sustainable long-term investment across communications networks, and safeguard national sovereignty \u2014 all while delivering greater value, quality, and trust for users.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GSMA paper comes at a time when new satellites are being launched, and operators are expanding into new markets and services. As LEO constellations scale rapidly, forward-looking regulatory frameworks will be essential to maximise the potential benefits of these new technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five core principles to guide regulatory frameworks<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper sets out five core principles to guide the development of modern regulatory frameworks:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Transparency and Predictability:\u202f<\/strong>Establish\u202fclear, consistent, and accessible rules for market entry so that both new satellite entrants and existing mobile operators can make confident, long-term investment decisions\u202ftogether.\u202f <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Regulatory Parity:<\/strong>\u202fMaintain\u202fa level playing field by ensuring that satellite providers\u202fface the same legal and regulatory obligations as mobile operators.\u202f <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Harmonisation<\/strong>:\u202fAlign national policies with regional and international standards to reduce regulatory fragmentation, making it easier and more efficient for global satellite constellations to\u202foperate\u202facross borders.\u202f <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Collaboration and Consultation<\/strong>:\u202fMaintain\u202fan open dialogue between governments, regulators, and the industry to ensure that new policies are evidence-based,\u202finclusive of all stakeholders and reflect current market realities.\u202f <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Balance Innovation with Regulation:<\/strong>\u202fSupport technological growth while ensuring satellite operators\u202fcomply with\u202fvital national interests, such as consumer protection, data\u202fprivacy\u202fand national security safeguards.\u202f <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Read the full\u202freport\u202fhere.\u202f<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            -ENDS-<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            About the GSMA<\/strong>\u202f 
            The GSMA is a global\u202forganisation\u202funifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive.\u202fRepresenting\u202fmobile operators and\u202forganisations\u202facross the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA\u202fdelivers for\u202fits members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today\u2019s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world\u2019s largest platform to\u202fconvene\u202fthe mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            We invite you to find out more at\u202fgsma.com<\/a>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Media Contact<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            GSMA Press Office\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            pressoffice@gsma.com<\/a>\u202f <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            New paper recommends developing adaptive and proportionate regulatory frameworks for Direct-to-User LEO satellite services  3rd March 2026, Barcelona:  A new era of Satellite services, enabled by Low-Earth-Orbit constellations, requires a fresh approach to regulation worldwide, according to a position paper released today by the GSMA, the global organisation representing mobile operators.  The paper, \u2018Regulatory Preparedness for Satellite Services\u2019, urges policymakers to take proactive steps to modernise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":116,"featured_media":25611,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3],"tags":[1133],"algolia_discover_type":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nGSMA Calls for Regulatory Readiness for Direct-to-User LEO Satellite Services\u00a0 - 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