Skip to main content

5G NB-IoT NTN Coverage Extension by Sateliot

Sateliot is a 5G NB-IoT NTN (Rel. 17) Coverage Extension satellite operator in SSO Low Earth Orbit for wholesale service to MNO (NB-IoT Coverage Extension). They claims to be the first satellite operator to offer IoT connectivity over standard 5G NB-IoT. According to this presentation, they have been a member of 3GPP since 2019, being, among space companies, the major contributor to the Rel. 17 IoT NTN Study Item.

In April 2023, Sateliot successfully launched The GroundBreaker, the first-ever satellite under 5G Standard to Democratize IoT, via SpaceX Falcon 9. The GroundBreaker is the first of a 250 LEO satellite constellation, which will work as cell towers from space.

In July 2022, Telefónica announced that it's collaborating with Sateliot through its divisions Telefónica Tech and Telefónica Global Solutions (TGS). The eventual goal being the development of an innovative connectivity service with dual 5G NB-IoT technology in which Sateliot's new satellite network will be integrated with Telefónica Tech's current terrestrial NB-IoT networks to offer IoT connectivity wherever the customer needs it, including maritime coverage.

A year later, in July 2023, TelecomTV reported on the Telefónica and Sateliot 5G roaming breakthrough claim in space:

In a test overseen by the European Space Agency (ESA), the two partners provided satellite coverage extension to Telefónica’s cellular network through standard GSMA roaming. They used a regular SIM card (run on Telefónica’s Kite platform – a managed connectivity solution developed by the operator’s digital technology and services division, Telefónica Tech) on an internet of things (IoT) cellular device, which was able to “seamlessly” switch to Sateliot’s network of low-earth orbit (LEO) 5G IoT satellite constellation.

A two-step store-and-forward authentication method was also implemented during the test to support standard roaming with a mobile network operator (MNO) and this was then adapted to the non-terrestrial network in low-earth orbit (NTN LEO). This technology, according to the company, enables data storage when the satellite is not in a position to connect with a ground station, and forwards it as it is entering the coverage range. 

Telefónica added that the store-and-forward feature is suitable for its ‘delay-tolerant’ IoT services for its early-stage constellation, as it still has a limited number of satellites. “The test demonstrated successfully that a standard roaming connection can be authenticated by the Telefónica core through Sateliot networks,” the satellite company noted in a statement unveiling the move, adding that this development opens the door for “massive access to connectivity everywhere in the planet.”

And this is exactly where Telefónica’s ambitions fall into place: The telco is confident that in 2024, it will be the first MNO to provide its customers with narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) “everywhere-in-the-planet connectivity”. This offering will consist of a ‘seamless’ combination of cellular and satellite standard NB-IoT network, as well as “inexpensive commercial standard NB-IoT devices”.

Jaume Sanpera, CEO of Sateliot recenly gave a presentation that is embedded below. He starts with the claim that 80% of the world is still not connected by mobile but we think that around 90% of earth lack any kind of connectivity (Tweet ☝️):

There is also a good list of IoT applications here that they plan on covering, and in general, satellite based IoT can support.

Related Posts: 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Highlights from XGMF's Conference to Advance Millimetre Wave Technology

On April 1, 2024, two of Japan's leading connectivity organizations—the 5G Mobile Promotion Forum (5GMF) and the Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium (B5GPC)—joined forces to create the XG Mobile Promotion Forum ( XGMF ). This merger symbolizes a pivotal step in accelerating the adoption of next-generation wireless technologies. In May 2024, XGMF's Millimeter Wave Promotion Ad Hoc (Millimeter Wave AH) hosted the International Workshop on Millimeter Wave Dissemination for 5G. This event aimed to foster the adoption of millimeter wave (mmWave) technology in Japan and beyond, drawing an audience of approximately 200 attendees and broadcasting in both English and Japanese. The workshop featured opening remarks by Mr. Naohiko Ogiwara, Director of the Radio Department, Telecommunications Infrastructure Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). Key speakers included: Mr. Takanori Mashiko (MIC, slides ) Mr. Sam Gielges (Qualcomm, online - no slides) Mr. Christopher Pric...
Post a Comment
Read more

IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability (UHR), a.k.a. Wi-Fi 8

Back in 2020 we looked at the introductory post of Wi-Fi 7 which was followed up by a more detailed post in Feb 2022. We are now following on with an introductory post on the next generation Wi-Fi.  A new paper on arXiv explores the journey towards IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability (UHR), the amendment that will form the basis of Wi-Fi 8. Quoting selected items from the paper  below: After providing an overview of the nearly completed Wi-Fi 7 standard, we present new use cases calling for further Wi-Fi evolution. We also outline current standardization, certification, and spectrum allocation activities, sharing updates from the newly formed UHR Study Group. We then introduce the disruptive new features envisioned for Wi-Fi 8 and discuss the associated research challenges. Among those, we focus on access point coordination and demonstrate that it could build upon 802.11be multi-link operation to make Ultra High Reliability a reality in Wi-Fi 8. The IEEE 802.11bn UHR: Whose ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Testing, Refining, and Improving Stratospheric Connectivity: NTT Docomo’s HAPS Trials

At MWC 2025, NTT Docomo highlighted its latest initiatives under the NTT Group's "NTT C89" space-business strategy, such as mobile-connectivity services using unmanned vehicles, or high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), that fly in the stratosphere for days or months, using relays to provide mobile connectivity in mountainous and remote areas, including at sea and in the sky. A presentation on NTT C89 Aerospace Business Strategy is available here while a presentation on NTT DOCOMO's Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) for Extreme Coverage Extension is available here . Stratospheric connectivity, enabled by High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), is emerging as a key solution for extending mobile coverage to remote and underserved areas. However, ensuring that these airborne platforms can provide stable, high-quality connectivity requires extensive testing and refinement. At MWC 2025, NTT Docomo showcased its progress in this domain, highlighting multiple real-world trials...
Post a Comment
Read more