Cellular NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) connectivity has passed a symbolic milestone, with launch by Elon Musk’s SpaceX’s so called sat-to-phone birds, bringing widespread direct coverage to standard smartphones for the first time. The operative word here is widespread, and the system will initially start with SMS functionality, before moving to voice and then data – with a target of 2025. This heralds a busy year for NTN cellular, as mobile operators line up alongside the few providers of either HAPS (High Altitude Platform Stations) in the higher atmosphere, or non-geostationary satellite constellations. LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites will make up the bulk of these and are of greatest interest to MNOs, as Wireless Watch reported last week. SpaceX’s Starlink wing had…