Half of Customers Say They Would Switch Telco Providers for Satellite Services as Demand Rises - Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) published a GSMA Intelligence report (Dec 3, 2025) showing rising consumer demand for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite mobile services.

Key findings: 60% of more than 12,000 global respondents would pay more for satellite services; 47% would switch providers to get outdoor coverage; willing-to-pay averages 5–7% extra on monthly bills (India averages 9%). Markets vary: India 89% willingness, U.S. 56%, France 48%. Report highlights revenue opportunity for mobile operators and a potential marketing gap between promised and available data-rich satellite services.

Positive

• 60% of consumers willing to pay more for D2D services
• 47% would switch operators for outdoor satellite coverage
• Willingness-to-pay averages 5–7% higher monthly bills
• India shows 89% willingness and 9% average WTP

Negative

• Potential market-share erosion: 47% willing to switch operators
• Marketing gap risk between expectations and available data services
• ARPU disparity: India $2.35 vs U.S. $45.57

News Market Reaction

+2.14%

1 alert

+2.14% News Effect

On the day this news was published, VSAT gained 2.14%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Survey sample size: more than 12,000 users Willing to pay more: 60% of consumers Switch for coverage: 47% of respondents +5 more

8 metrics

Survey sample size more than 12,000 users Global smartphone user survey across 12 markets

Willing to pay more 60% of consumers Global respondents ready to pay extra for satellite services

Switch for coverage 47% of respondents Would change operator if satellite coverage outside networks included

Extra monthly spend 5–7% more Average global willingness to increase phone bill for satellite

India extra spend 9% more Average additional willingness-to-pay in India

India willingness 89% of consumers Share willing to pay more for satellite services in India

U.S. willingness 56% of consumers Share willing to pay more for satellite services in the U.S.

ARPU comparison $2.35 vs $45.57 India vs U.S. Average Revenue Per User

Market Reality Check

Price: $43.28 Vol: Volume 1,387,630 is below...

normal vol

$43.28 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,387,630 is below the 20-day average of 1,837,228 (relative volume 0.76), suggesting a moderate reaction ahead of/around this report. normal

Technical Price at 38.27 is trading above the 200-day MA at 20.82, indicating a pre-existing upward trend before this D2D demand report.

Peers on Argus

Peers in Communication Equipment showed mixed moves, with names like ONDS up 6.2...

Peers in Communication Equipment showed mixed moves, with names like ONDS up 6.24% and EXTR down 4.47%, indicating VSAT’s strength of 3.24% was more stock-specific than a broad sector swing.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 03 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 03	Consumer demand report	Positive	+2.1%	Survey shows strong global willingness to pay for D2D satellite services.
Dec 01	Product/network update	Positive	-4.9%	NexusWave evolution and ViaSat‑3 deployment details for higher maritime bandwidth.
Nov 19	Board appointment	Neutral	-1.0%	Appointment of Barbara Frenkel, expanding board to eight directors.
Nov 19	Airline connectivity deal	Positive	-1.0%	Viasat Amara selected to power high‑speed Wi‑Fi on Azerbaijan Airlines fleet.
Nov 18	Airline partnership expansion	Positive	+5.7%	Expanded multi‑year Etihad partnership deploying Viasat Amara across majority fleet.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has generally been positive (partnerships, product advances, industry data), but price reactions have been mixed, with some selloffs on seemingly constructive announcements and select strong gains on commercial wins.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, Viasat has combined strategic commercial wins with infrastructure progress. On Nov 18, an expanded Etihad partnership for high-speed in‑flight connectivity saw a 5.73% gain. Subsequent airline and maritime connectivity updates around Nov 19–Dec 1 produced modest declines despite positive operational news. The latest Dec 3 consumer demand report for direct‑to‑device satellite services coincided with a positive move of 2.14%, tying together the theme of scaling satellite connectivity across aviation, maritime, and now mass‑market mobile users.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights strong stated demand for direct‑to‑device satellite services, with 60% ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights strong stated demand for direct‑to‑device satellite services, with 60% of surveyed users willing to pay more and 47% ready to switch providers for better coverage. For Viasat, this complements recent connectivity and partnership news, reinforcing the strategic focus on satellite-enabled mobile and broadband services. Investors may watch how quickly mobile operators translate this interest into commercial deals, and whether Viasat can secure and scale partnerships across both high‑growth and mature markets.

Key Terms

direct-to-device, mobile network operators, average revenue per user, arpu, +1 more

5 terms

direct-to-device technical

"reveals 60% would pay more for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services"

Direct-to-device describes delivering software, updates, data or content straight to a user’s hardware—such as smartphones, home gadgets, or medical devices—without going through an intermediary like a clinic, retail store, or app store gatekeeper. For investors it signals a company can reach customers faster, control the user experience, and create ongoing revenue streams, but it also brings responsibilities for cybersecurity, device compatibility and regulatory compliance, which affect cost and risk.

mobile network operators technical

"could open new revenue streams for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)"

Mobile network operators are companies that build, maintain and run the wireless networks that let phones and other devices make calls, send messages and use mobile internet. Think of them as utility providers for wireless service: they sell subscriptions, manage network coverage and invest in equipment and spectrum. Investors watch them because their profits depend on subscriber growth, how much customers pay, network quality and large, ongoing capital and regulatory costs.

average revenue per user financial

"According to the report, despite a lower Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $2.35 in India"

Average revenue per user measures the amount of money a company earns, on average, from each customer or user over a set period, calculated by dividing total revenue by the number of users. Investors watch it like an average bill per diner: rising figures suggest the company is getting more value from each customer (better pricing or sales), while falling numbers can signal weakening pricing power or engagement, affecting future profits and growth prospects.

arpu financial

"Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $2.35 in India - contrasting with the U.S.'s $45.57"

ARPU, or Average Revenue Per User, measures how much money a company earns, on average, from each of its customers over a set period. It helps investors understand how effectively a business is generating income from its customer base, similar to calculating how much each customer spends at a store. Higher ARPU often indicates stronger sales per customer and better revenue performance.

3gpp standards technical

"With satellite services aligned to 3GPP standards and moving from trials to commercial reality"

3GPP standards are a set of agreed technical rules and specifications that govern how mobile networks and devices communicate, including generations like 4G and 5G. They matter to investors because these standards determine which technologies are interoperable and commercially viable—similar to how a universal electrical plug standard enables different appliances to work worldwide—so companies that adopt or enable widely accepted 3GPP features can gain market access and competitive advantage.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New Viasat report — based on a survey of more than 12,000 global smartphone users — reveals 60% would pay more for direct-to-device satellite services, with nearly half ready to switch providers to access.

CARLSBAD., Calif., Dec. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today launched a new report revealing that rising demand for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity could open new revenue streams for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) — while posing a significant competitive challenge.

The report – The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Consumer Mobile – was conducted by GSMA Intelligence and surveyed more than 12,000 mobile phone users across 12 markets. The report asked customers about satellite services, which complement terrestrial mobile networks to extend network coverage and deliver reliable service in hard-to-reach areas. Together, they enable operators to offer connectivity everywhere. The results revealed that, on average, more than a third of consumers report losing access to basic mobile cellular services at least twice a month.

Perhaps as a result, more than 60% of consumers globally are prepared to pay extra for satellite-enabled services on their smartphones. Appetite varies by market, with high-growth regions like India (89%) and Indonesia (82%) more willing to pay than those in more developed economies such as the U.S. (56%) and France (48%).

Rising demand and revenue potential
This enthusiasm translates into revenue potential for telco providers. On average, globally, consumers who are willing to pay more would be happy to spend 5-7% more on their current phone bill per month. Of all countries surveyed, India presents a particularly compelling case: with an average willingness-to-pay of 9% more on current monthly spend.

According to the report, despite a lower Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $2.35 in India - contrasting with the U.S.'s $45.57 -remains a crucial opportunity for MNOs: when taking into account lager population sizes and higher willingness to pay, lower-ARPU markets represent substantial growth opportunities if commercial strategies are tailored effectively.

Providers that do not opt to offer satellite services could face risk of market share erosion. Nearly half (47%) of survey respondents state they would switch to a different operator if outdoor smartphone services in areas outside coverage were included in their subscription.

‘Marketing gap’ could prove a challenge for telcos
Awareness of satellite-enabled features, the report shows, seems heavily influenced by regional market conditions. In India, for example, 74% of consumers are aware of these features — almost 50 points higher than in Japan.

In less economically developed markets, consumers show disproportionately stronger enthusiasm for higher-data-rate applications like web browsing and video calls via satellite. This pattern is reversed in more developed economies, where interest is focused more on messaging and SOS services.

As a result, MNOs could face a ‘marketing gap’: striking a balance between harnessing excitement without over-promising more data-rich services which are not yet available, especially in emerging markets.

Andy Kessler, Vice President Viasat Enterprise, said: “This data highlights frustration with mobile blackspots and shows that consumers are willing to pay or even switch providers for reliable coverage. This means the industry is reaching an inflection point – MNOs need to move fast to harness the excitement over satellite services to secure loyalty and generate revenue. This is about more than providing a feature upgrade – it can be an essential tool for digital inclusion, safety, and economic growth. We’re excited to be forging partnerships within the ecosystem to help make it a reality for millions more users.”

Tim Hatt, Head of Research & Consulting, GSMA Intelligence, said: “Six in ten say they’re willing to pay extra for D2D services, and nearly half would switch provider to get them, a decisive signal of demand and a clear revenue runway for operators. With satellite services aligned to 3GPP standards and moving from trials to commercial reality, the race is on to deliver D2D at scale, first messaging and voice, then data – so operators can differentiate on reach, resilience and customer trust.”

About the report
Viasat and GSMA Intelligence surveyed 12,390 mobile phone users about their existing terrestrial coverage, their awareness and interest in satellite services, and their willingness to pay for these services and to switch mobile network providers to access these services.

From May to June 2025, we surveyed over 1,000 people in each market, covering Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA).

GSMA Intelligence undertook a survey with these same parameters in 2024. Throughout the report data has been compared between both years to reach insights into how key elements have developed in the past year.

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are - on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.

Copyright © 2025 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

About GSMA Intelligence
GSMA Intelligence is the definitive source of global mobile operator data, analysis and forecasts, and publisher of authoritative industry reports and research. It is the most accurate and complete set of industry metrics available, comprising tens of millions of individual data points, updated daily. GSMA Intelligence is relied on by leading operators, vendors, regulators, financial institutions and third-party industry players, to support strategic decision-making and long-term investment planning. For more information, visit gsmaintelligence.com

Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Richard Jones – External Communications, Viasat Enterprise, Richard.jones@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, IR@viasat.com

FAQ

What did Viasat (VSAT) report on consumer demand for satellite mobile services on Dec 3, 2025?

Viasat published a GSMA Intelligence report showing 60% of 12,000+ respondents would pay more for D2D satellite services and 47% would switch providers for outdoor coverage.

How much more are consumers willing to pay for satellite services according to the VSAT report?

Globally, consumers willing to pay would spend about 5–7% more on monthly phone bills; in India the average is 9%.

Which markets show the highest willingness to pay for D2D satellite services in the VSAT report?

High-growth markets lead: India 89% and Indonesia 82% showed the strongest willingness to pay.

What revenue implication does the VSAT report highlight for mobile operators?

The report indicates a clear revenue runway as D2D services could drive additional ARPU via 5–7% higher monthly spend from willing customers.

What risk does Viasat say operators face if they don’t offer satellite services (VSAT)?

Operators risk market-share erosion, since 47% of consumers said they would switch to get outdoor satellite coverage.

How does ARPU compare between India and the U.S. in the VSAT report?

The report cites ARPU of $2.35 in India versus $45.57 in the U.S.