The province of Valladolid has become the testing ground for a project that could change the way we understand mobile coverage in Spain. MasOrange and Starlink have joined forces to rehearse a direct connectivity system from satellites to conventional mobile phones, designed to cover those areas where the signal is currently weak.
This technical pilot involves the first trial of the service in Spain Direct to CellThis technology allows a mobile phone to connect directly to low-Earth orbit satellites without the need for special antennas or additional devices. The initiative, still in the experimental phase, aims to complement the existing terrestrial network and expand service availability in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
A strategic agreement between MasOrange and Starlink
MasOrange has closed a collaboration agreement with StarlinkThe satellite network operated by SpaceX will be used to deploy this trial in Valladolid. For the operator, which presents itself as the largest telecom company in the Spanish market by number of customers, the move fits into a strategy of investing in more flexible and resilient connectivity solutions, combining terrestrial and space infrastructures.
The company emphasizes that this project positions it “at the forefront of innovation” In telecommunications, the company is promoting a solution that doesn't replace traditional mobile networks, but rather complements them where deployment is complex or unprofitable. In the company's words, it's a "pioneering and comprehensive" mobile connectivity solution for the Spanish market.
From Starlink's perspective, the pilot fits into its global roadmap of provide LTE coverage to any mobile device in almost any part of the world. Following similar agreements with T-Mobile in the United States, Entel in Chile, and Kyivstar in Ukraine, and alliances in Europe such as the one with the Swiss operator Salt, the move with MasOrange serves to strengthen its presence in the European telecommunications ecosystem.
The CEO of MasOrange, Meinrad Spenger, has highlighted that the agreement with Starlink strengthens the Operator's commitment to innovation and with the use of "all available technologies" to offer the most continuous service possible, even in those places that are currently considered "shadow zones".
How the Direct to Cell service works
The heart of the project is technology Direct to Cell, designed so that a Standard mobile connects directly to satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) when the ground grid disappears. MasOrange explains that, for practical purposes, Satellites function like cell phone towers located in space, hundreds of kilometers high, linked together by laser connections.
The system is designed so that the change is completely transparent to the userWhen the device loses signal from conventional antennas, it detects the presence of the satellite network, which uses the same spectrum assigned to the operator, and connects automatically. No manual adjustments, pointing the phone at the sky, or installing any special equipment are required.
In this first phase of testing, the objective is to validate the use of messaging and lightweight dataMasOrange has detailed that participants in the pilot will be able to send and receive SMS and MMS messages, as well as use common applications such as WhatsApp or Google Maps when they are outside terrestrial coverage. In previous tests conducted by Starlink with other partners, download speeds of up to 17 Mbps have been recorded, sufficient for messaging and basic browsing.
Not like others satellite services focused solely on emergenciesThis approach aims to everyday connectivityThis is suitable for travel through rural areas, mountain trails, or coastal areas where mobile signals currently run out. However, the available capacity via satellite is less than that of a 5G cell on land; therefore, the model is currently conceived as a reinforcement, not a replacement for traditional mobile broadband.
Spectrum usage and regulatory framework in Spain
For the system to work, the role of the radio spectrum assigned to MasOrangeThe authorized pilot in Valladolid will use part of those frequencies, which the operator makes available to the Starlink satellite network so that, from a technical perspective, the satellites act as base stations of the operator's own mobile network, but located in space.
The initiative has the authorization from the State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital InfrastructureThis is an essential step, given that it explores a novel use of bands already allocated for terrestrial mobile services. The regulator must ensure that the coordination between the satellite and terrestrial networks does not generate interference or degrade service for users still connected to traditional antennas.
This approach reflects a trend that is beginning to take hold in other markets: reuse existing mobile frequencies For satellite communications in low Earth orbit, instead of relying on separate bands for each type of service. The approach simplifies integration at the device level, but requires very fine-tuned spectrum and signal management to avoid overlaps.
In Spain, the pilot project will also serve to test how this hybrid architecture fits within the current regulatory framework, both in terms of spectrum regulation and competition in the sector. It is possible that, if the model proves technically and commercially viable, other operators may propose similar agreements with different satellite providers.
Impact on shadow areas and network architecture
One of the central objectives of the MasOrange and Starlink project is to address the problem of shadow zonesRural, hard-to-reach, mountainous, or coastal areas where cost or terrain make it difficult to install cell towers or deploy fiber optics. In these environments, the use of low-Earth orbit satellites opens up the possibility of offering basic connectivity services without the need to build new physical infrastructure.
MasOrange already has a network in Spain with advanced deployments of 5G SA and 5G Advancedaimed at reducing latency and increasing capacity. On that basis, the agreement with Starlink adds a additional layer of redundancyDesigned for situations where there is simply no other connection option. For the operator, this aligns with a vision of a more robust network, prepared for contingencies and for scenarios of total mobility.
From an engineering perspective, the challenge lies in integrate satellite traffic with that of the conventional mobile network without one negatively impacting the other. MasOrange's spectrum must be able to distinguish which part of the flow is carried via terrestrial antennas and which part travels through satellites, maintaining the user experience within expected margins, especially in instant messaging services that are sensitive to excessive latency.
The Starlink LEO constellation is supported by laser links between satellites To maintain a continuous connection even when the satellite providing direct service to the phone moves rapidly in its orbit, this architecture aims to minimize perceived interruptions and maintain the data session while the user is on the move, for example, traveling on the road or in large rural areas.
European context and MasOrange strategy
The driver from Valladolid places Spain within the group of first European countries These trials specifically test the integration of the Starlink Direct to Cell network with a national mobile operator. Previously, Kyivstar in Ukraine had already announced the commercial launch of such services for its customers, and in Switzerland, the operator Salt – formerly Orange Switzerland – is also part of the Starlink partnership ecosystem.
In the case of MasOrange, the initiative comes at a time when the company is experiencing a stage of shareholder reorganization and consolidation Following the merger of Orange Spain and MásMóvil, the French group Orange has agreed to purchase the remaining 50% of MásMóvil that it did not already control. This transaction, valued at several billion euros, will, if the planned schedule is met, give Orange full control of the company in the coming years.
Within this context, the agreement with Starlink is interpreted as a commitment to innovation as a differentiating factor In the face of competition. For Orange, MasOrange is consolidating its position as a key growth platform in southern Europe and as a testing ground for solutions that can be exported to other markets where geography or demographics pose similar challenges.
At the same time, the move fits into a broader dynamic in the sector, in which alternative connectivity solutions Satellites, private networks, and hybrid technologies are gaining importance to meet the demand for near-universal coverage and the need for reliable communications in critical situations, from emergencies to professional uses in isolated environments.
What will be tested in Valladolid and what might come next
The deployment in the province of Valladolid is conceived as a controlled technical pilotnot as an immediate commercial launch. The goal is to measure in detail parameters such as real-world latency, signal stability, messaging and lightweight data experience, and network behavior when multiple users connect simultaneously in a specific area.
It will also be evaluated the system's resilience to adverse weather conditionsThis is a particularly sensitive aspect in satellite communications. The Starlink LEO constellation is designed to partially mitigate these effects, but the pilot program will allow researchers to verify the extent to which the desired service levels are maintained in real-world scenarios in Spain.
For now, there is no official release date or details on pricing or usage. The intention is to use the pilot results to determine the feasibility of an expansion of service to other areas of the country, as well as to outline possible business models: from using satellite connectivity as automatic backup in certain tariffs, to offering specific solutions for sectors that operate in remote areas.
From a regulatory and competitive standpoint, the project will be closely watched by authorities and the rest of the market. The possibility of covering underserved areas with a commercially viable satellite solution could, over time, modify how rural deployment plans and public subsidies for fixed or mobile infrastructure are designed.
With this project in Valladolid, MasOrange and Starlink are testing a formula of Hybrid connectivity that combines terrestrial mobile networks and low-Earth orbit satellites to reach where antennas cannot. If the pilot confirms its technical and regulatory feasibility, Spain could position itself at the forefront in Europe in offering direct basic mobile coverage in remote areas, opening the door to a new era in which the boundary between land and space in telecommunications becomes increasingly less visible to the end user.
