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Re: Direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity for Iran. If the felon actually gave a shit...
...about the aspirations of the Iranian people, they would have already authorized the deployment of D2C satellite connectivity and other technologies in Iran to bypass internet blackouts.
If they have no qualm's about violating international law and the constitution and spending US blood and treasure in a war of aggression, then they should certainly have no problem taking lawful steps to light a fire under providers and spending whatever they have to to effectively bypass the internet blackout.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/14/iran-protests-internet-access-trump-congress
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on Donald Trump to allow the US government to help open up internet access in Iran, which the country’s Islamic regime has blocked in an effort to suppress an eruption of unrest.
With deaths soaring into thousands after days of protests across Iran, Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives have written to Trump asking him to authorize the state department to collaborate with the Open Technology Fund, a congressionally funded non-profit dedicated to supporting technologies designed to overcome censorship.
The move would effectively implement legislation – known as the “feasibility review of emerging equipment for digital open media” (Freedom) act – that was introduced in Congress last month to address Iran’s internet-censoring practices but which has not yet been passed.
“While Congress works to advance legislation like this through regular order, we are confident that the executive branch has the ability – and responsibility – to immediately begin interagency coordination, resume and leverage the Department of State’s collaboration with the Open Technology Fund, harness existing technologies like virtual private networks (VPNs), and fully assess emerging technologies such as direct-to-cell networks.
With deaths soaring into thousands after days of protests across Iran, Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives have written to Trump asking him to authorize the state department to collaborate with the Open Technology Fund, a congressionally funded non-profit dedicated to supporting technologies designed to overcome censorship.
The move would effectively implement legislation – known as the “feasibility review of emerging equipment for digital open media” (Freedom) act – that was introduced in Congress last month to address Iran’s internet-censoring practices but which has not yet been passed.
“While Congress works to advance legislation like this through regular order, we are confident that the executive branch has the ability – and responsibility – to immediately begin interagency coordination, resume and leverage the Department of State’s collaboration with the Open Technology Fund, harness existing technologies like virtual private networks (VPNs), and fully assess emerging technologies such as direct-to-cell networks.
The connectivity would be very limited, but it would be a start. Even gaining access to simple texting functions would be significant.
Contact Your Representative: Urge them to support the FREEDOM Act (Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media), which aims to evaluate and deploy technologies to bypass Iranian state-imposed internet blackouts.
Support Open Technology Fund: Ask Congress to authorize the Department of State to collaborate with the Open Technology Fund to provide, support, and scale D2C services for Iranian citizens.
Advocate for Humanitarian Technology: Emphasize that D2C, when authorized for crisis response, acts as a crucial lifeline for, safety, and communication.
More information here:
https://www.article19.org/resources/iran-direct-to-cell-satellite-connectivity-amid-internet-shutdowns/