Lynk Global and Omnispace Forge Merger to Bolster Satellite-to-Phone Connectivity

Strategic Merger to Enhance Satellite Services

Lynk Global and Omnispace are reportedly merging to combine their assets in a bid to advance direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services, according to a joint announcement. Sources indicate that the merger will leverage Omnispace’s 60 megahertz of S-band spectrum with Lynk’s current D2D platform, which uses five low Earth orbit satellites to provide intermittent messaging in select island nations. The move aims to position the merged entity competitively against industry players like SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile, who are also securing satellite frequencies for similar services.

Strategic Merger to Enhance Satellite Services
Key Players and Strategic Backing
Addressing Spectrum Challenges and Interference
Industry Context and Competitive Landscape
Future Plans and Expansion

Key Players and Strategic Backing

SES, a Luxembourg-based multi-orbit operator that has invested in both companies, will become a major strategic shareholder in the combined group, the report states. The merger, expected to close late this year or early next pending regulatory approvals, will see Lynk’s CEO Ramu Potarazu leading the new entity, with Omnispace’s CEO Ram Viswanathan serving as chief strategy officer. Analysts suggest this collaboration could accelerate the delivery of seamless messaging, voice, and data services to mobile network operators and various sectors worldwide.

Addressing Spectrum Challenges and Interference

Omnispace had previously faced interference issues with SpaceX’s D2D service in the U.S., where overlapping frequencies with T-Mobile’s cellular spectrum caused conflicts. George Giagtzoglou, Omnispace’s vice president of strategy and marketing, noted via email that a recent regulatory request from SpaceX to the Federal Communications Commission might help align frequency use with international S-band allocations, potentially easing tensions. This merger, according to reports, is seen as a way to unlock the full potential of global S-band assets and mitigate such hurdles.

Industry Context and Competitive Landscape

The satellite D2D market is heating up, with SpaceX awaiting approval to acquire S-band spectrum from EchoStar in a deal valued at over $17 billion. SpaceX currently uses over 650 Starlink satellites for limited text and alert services in the U.S., New Zealand, and Japan, and plans to significantly boost capacity with EchoStar’s spectrum. Meanwhile, AST SpaceMobile, with five satellites in orbit, is partnering with major U.S. carriers and seeking L-band spectrum to deliver broadband speeds up to 120 Mbps. The Lynk-Omnispace merger, analysts suggest, could intensify competition as companies race to deploy comprehensive global networks by 2027.

Future Plans and Expansion

Lynk had previously abandoned a capital-raising attempt via a merger with Slam Corp., but Potarazu outlined plans to rely on SES’s multi-orbit network for a continuous global D2D service by 2027. The company is set to launch two satellites in February to test new technologies, including a multi-orbit relay capability with SES. This strategic pivot, combined with Omnispace’s spectrum assets, reportedly positions the merged group to offer enhanced connectivity for consumer, commercial, and government applications, emphasizing reliability and global reach in an increasingly crowded field.