Satellite phone dreams orbit reality as direct-to-cell usage set to underwhelm

Juniper Research forecasts monthly active direct-to-cell users will grow from 17.4 million in 2026 to 133 million by 2031. The growth is driven by mobile telcos partnering with satellite operators to extend coverage beyond cell towers. D2C activates only when terrestrial signals fail and provides no solution for indoor coverage issues. Users face daily frustration due to the technology's limited utility in real-world scenarios. Juniper warns actual adoption will likely underperform expectations despite the projected growth.