Ofcom exempts direct-to-device satellite use in UK
From 25 February 2026, you can use phones and other personal wireless kit to connect straight to satellites in the UK without getting your own device licence, as long as you follow Ofcom’s new rules. The Office of Communications signed the Wireless Telegraphy (Direct to Device Satellite Communications) (Exemption) Regulations 2026 on 16 February 2026, recorded as Statutory Instrument 2026/139.
Let’s pin down the term. Direct to device (D2D) is a wireless service run by a company operating a mobile satellite system that lets people on the ground send and receive radio signals directly to and from a satellite. In plain language: when you’re out of range of a mast, your phone may talk to a satellite overhead instead, if your device and provider support it.
The exemption covers the establishment, installation and use of end‑user apparatus for D2D services. It does not cover equipment used as a commercial multi‑user gateway-devices with multiple SIMs that divert voice calls or SMS for more than one person via those SIMs. This is aimed at individual use, not large‑scale rerouting boxes.
Two foundational rules apply everywhere. Your equipment must not cause or contribute to ‘undue interference’ with any wireless service, and you cannot use it while airborne. That means no in‑flight operation and no drone‑mounted tests.
Only two narrow frequency ranges are authorised when your device talks to a satellite: 1710.1–1715.9 MHz and 1805.1–1810.9 MHz. These sit within the wider 1800 MHz mobile area, which helps manufacturers use known radio characteristics and keeps transmissions inside defined slices, reducing the risk of clashing with other services.
Your device must also use specific European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standards. Ofcom lists GSM (EN 301 511 V12.5.1); UMTS (EN 301 908‑1 V15.2.1 and EN 301 908‑2 V13.1.1); LTE (EN 301 908‑1 V15.2.1 and EN 301 908‑13 V13.2.1); and 5G New Radio (EN 301 908‑1 V15.2.1 and EN 301 908‑25 V15.1.1). Different versions exist, but these are the locked‑in references for compliance.
Power is capped to keep things orderly. If your device uses GSM, the mean total radiated power (TRP) must not exceed 30 dBm. For UMTS, LTE or 5G NR, the cap is 25 dBm. As a guide, 30 dBm is about 1 watt and 25 dBm is roughly 0.32 watts. TRP measures the average power sent in all directions, not just a single beam.
Why cap power and narrow the bands? It limits interference with existing mobile networks and helps devices share spectrum fairly. Manufacturers will build compliance into hardware and software, but if you experiment with radios, remember: staying within the bands and standards does not excuse ‘undue interference’.
What this means for you: there’s no personal licence to apply for under section 8(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 when you use D2D features that meet these conditions. You’ll still need a compatible phone and a provider offering satellite connectivity; the exemption doesn’t create a service where none exists.
What is not covered: commercial multi‑user gateways that reroute many people’s calls or texts through a bank of SIMs remain outside the exemption. Ofcom draws this line to avoid unmanaged relaying that could skew billing and overload networks.
Geography matters. The Regulations apply in the United Kingdom but do not extend to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. If you live, work or teach there, check local rules before planning any satellite‑to‑phone trials.
Dates to note: made on 16 February 2026; in force from 25 February 2026. Ofcom says a full impact assessment is on ofcom.org.uk, and the referenced ETSI standards are available at etsi.org for those who want the engineering detail.
Quick classroom explainer: dBm means decibels referenced to one milliwatt. Every 10 dB is a ten‑fold change in power. Moving from 25 dBm to 30 dBm is an increase of about 3.2 times in permitted mean power-hence the higher ceiling for GSM compared with UMTS/LTE/5G NR.
If your phone gains D2D via an update, it should automatically stay within the exact bands, standards and power limits set here. Avoid airborne use, and be wary of any add‑on ‘boosters’ for satellite links-those could breach the interference rule and bring enforcement action.
For transparency, this explainer is based on Ofcom’s Wireless Telegraphy (Direct to Device Satellite Communications) (Exemption) Regulations 2026 as published on the UK legislation website. We’ve simplified the legal text so teachers and students can use it as a clear reference in lessons and projects.