Sovereign Direct-to-Device (D2D) Connectivity via 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks: Enabling Europe’s Next Generation Global Communications Infrastructure

The Challenge: Bridging the Global Connectivity Gap

As industries digitize and demand for ubiquitous connectivity accelerates, billions of devices and users remain underserved by terrestrial infrastructure. Large areas across maritime routes, rural regions, critical infrastructure corridors, and emerging markets still lack resilient and reliable communications coverage. At the same time, governments and industries are increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of sovereign, secure, and independent European communication capabilities.

Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity enabled by 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) represents a transformative new paradigm in global communications. By allowing standard smartphones, IoT terminals, and connected devices to communicate directly with low Earth orbit satellites, NTN-based D2D services can extend connectivity far beyond the limits of terrestrial infrastructure while enhancing resilience during network outages, disasters, and emergencies.

As D2D rapidly becomes one of the most important topics in the global telecom and space sectors, the convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks through 3GPP standards is expected to fundamentally reshape the future connectivity ecosystem.

OQ Technology’s Solution: A Sovereign European NTN and D2D Operator

OQ Technology is a pioneering sovereign European satellite telecommunications operator specializing in 5G NTN, satellite IoT, and Direct-to-Device connectivity via low Earth orbit satellites. As an accredited Mobile Network Operator (MNO), OQ Technology is actively commercializing NTN services that enable standard 3GPP devices to connect directly to space without requiring proprietary hardware or dedicated satellite terminals.

The company is heavily involved in the emerging D2D ecosystem and holds licensing in Germany, reinforcing its position within the European sovereign connectivity landscape and supporting the development of resilient and independent communications infrastructure.

Our Technology & Architecture

OQ Technology’s satellite payloads are designed as “cell towers in space,” implementing 3GPP Release 17 NTN standards to enable seamless interoperability between terrestrial and satellite networks. This architecture supports direct connectivity to standard mobile phones and IoT devices while enabling global coverage and resilient communications services.

Key technological differentiators include:

• Full 3GPP NTN Compliance enabling off-the-shelf smartphones, NB-IoT, and LTE devices to connect directly via satellite

• Direct-to-Device connectivity without proprietary hardware modifications

• Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) optimization for battery-efficient IoT applications

• Onboard processing capabilities for efficient spectrum usage and real-time data handling

• Global and rapidly deployable beam coverage across land, maritime, and remote regions

• Integration with terrestrial mobile operators to support seamless roaming and resilient overlay communications

End-to-End Solutions and Demonstrations

The presentation will highlight operational demonstrations, ecosystem collaboration efforts, and commercial readiness milestones achieved in NTN and D2D deployment.

Relevant use cases include:

• Emergency communications and resilient connectivity during disasters or terrestrial network outages

• Logistics and transport tracking beyond cellular coverage

• Maritime connectivity and vessel monitoring

• Energy and utilities monitoring for remote infrastructure

• Defense and government applications requiring sovereign and secure communications

• IoT connectivity in rural, underserved, and infrastructure-limited regions

Why This Matters for Europe and the World

Sovereign D2D connectivity is emerging as a strategic priority for Europe and global telecommunications stakeholders. Governments, regulators, operators, and industries are increasingly seeking resilient and independent communications infrastructure capable of operating beyond terrestrial limitations.

As a sovereign European operator, OQ Technology contributes to strengthening European strategic autonomy in space-based communications while supporting secure and standards-based NTN deployment aligned with evolving regulatory and security requirements.

The presentation will also explore how D2D technology is expected to transform the traditional connectivity ecosystem by converging satellite and terrestrial networks into a unified global communications architecture.

Presentation Objectives

This presentation will:

1. Provide an overview of sovereign Direct-to-Device and 5G NTN architecture

2. Explain how standard smartphones and IoT devices can connect directly to satellites using 3GPP standards

3. Present operational demonstrations, commercial readiness, and real-world applications

4. Discuss the strategic importance of sovereign European NTN and D2D infrastructure

5. Explore the future roadmap toward 5G Advanced and 6G NTN integration

Benefit: What the Audience Will Learn

• Understand how 3GPP NTN standards enable true Direct-to-Device connectivity

• Learn about the architecture behind sovereign European NTN systems

• Gain insights into real-world applications and emerging business opportunities for D2D services

• Understand how satellite and terrestrial networks are converging into an integrated global communications ecosystem

• Explore the role of D2D in resilience, emergency communications, and digital inclusion