That’s a good question and I would think the answer yes/maybe. My loose understanding is that it’s effectively interoperable with the internet (if not directly, then by being able to connect through an app to an internet-connected device, which presumably could then exchange data with online service through an API) means that you could have pretty effective connectivity with a blend of methods — radio where needed, and internet where the ISP is not problematic. 

 but what if isp is always problematic? 

 Then yeah I’d imagine you need a device every 3-9 miles. Unless there’s a way to integrate satellite tech to/from the phone without touching an ISP 🤔