On: Existing smartphones will connect with new satelli...

[snovv_crash]

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9187602

The range limits are really around expected usage given omnidirectional antennas, unlicensed transmission power and terrestrial interference.

For LoS with a small (single) directional antenna it's easy to get another 10db. With a big dish you can go a lot higher.