Spain, UK and US regulators diverge on direct-to-device spectrum ahead of WRC-27

At the NTN Integration Forum 2026, regulators from Spain, the UK and the US outlined different paths to a WRC-27 framework for direct-to-device satellite spectrum. Current D2D systems operate outside the radio regulations and are unprotected. Regulators rejected shortening the four-year WRC cycle.

• Ofcom enabled D2D early; the FCC opened terrestrial bands by order in 2024
• Spain is waiting for WRC-27 before licensing operators with incumbent protection
• The FCC approved AST SpaceMobile's 248-satellite constellation on Verizon and AT&T spectrum
• Regulators rejected shortening the four-year WRC cycle or speeding studies with AI