Lynk and Omnispace Complete Merger, Rebrand as Elveo Mobile to Expand Direct-to-Device Services

Lynk Global has completed its merger with Omnispace and rebranded as Elveo Mobile, adding globally coordinated S-band spectrum to expand direct-to-device satellite services beyond basic messaging. The companies said Aug. 17 they had cleared all U.S. and foreign regulatory approvals needed to close the transaction, which was announced in October for undisclosed terms.

The merger combines Omnispace's 60 megahertz of S-band spectrum with Lynk's direct-to-device platform, which has provided intermittent messaging and alert services across a small group of island nations after deploying seven small satellites. Omnispace had previously planned to use the spectrum to provide connectivity from more than 600 proposed satellites, but those efforts stalled after reporting interference from SpaceX's direct-to-device operations in the United States, where its Starlink Mobile service uses cellular frequencies from T-Mobile.

Lynk's low Earth orbit network has also relied on cellular frequencies from mobile network operator partners to date. Dedicated satellite spectrum could help support more bandwidth-heavy data applications, following similar moves from SpaceX and rival AST SpaceMobile. Starlink Mobile has already branched out into over-the-top voice, video and certain data services with more than 650 satellites in orbit, and plans to start launching next-generation direct-to-device satellites next year using spectrum it is acquiring from EchoStar to deliver 5G-like speeds from space.

Elveo CEO Ramu Potarazu said the company plans to announce strategic partnerships and investments later this year, following contractual agreements with more than 50 mobile network operators across over 60 countries. "We will be announcing strategic partnerships and MNO partnerships," Potarazu said via email, "along with news regarding manufacturing and launch as we prepare to enable our next-generation service."

Luxembourg-based multi-orbit operator SES had previously invested in both companies and remains one of the Washington, D.C.-headquartered venture's leading shareholders. Before the merger, Lynk had outlined plans to use SES satellites in geostationary and medium Earth orbit to support global, continuous direct-to-device services by 2027. SES deployed a pair of pathfinders earlier this year to validate next-generation MEO technology, including an in-orbit relay capability compatible with Elveo's network. Potarazu said those two satellites remain in the testing phase. Other Elveo investors include Fortress, Stepstone, Columbia Capital, Telcom Ventures and Blazar Ventures.

For Elveo, combining Omnispace's S-band holdings with Lynk's deployed low Earth orbit platform is intended to move its offering beyond intermittent messaging toward broader direct-to-device services and data-heavy applications, positioning the company alongside SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile in the direct-to-device market.

Potarazu said the company will announce strategic partnerships, mobile network operator agreements, and manufacturing and launch news later this year as it prepares its next-generation service. Testing continues on the two SES MEO pathfinder satellites deployed earlier this year.