Sateliot has linked a standard commercial 5G IoT device directly to a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite for the first time.
The breakthrough – accomplished in partnership with Nordic Semiconductor and Gatehouse Satcom – validates that unmodified cellular devices can seamlessly communicate via satellite, promising to extend the IoT to every corner of the globe.
This successful test confirms that full interoperability between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is now a practical reality. For decades, IoT deployments have been constrained by the limits of ground-based infrastructure, which covers only about 20 per cent of the Earth’s surface. This development opens up the remaining 80 per cent, including oceans, deserts, and other remote areas, to resilient and affordable connectivity.
The demonstration involved sending an end-to-end message using a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 module, a commercial device noted for its extremely low power consumption and long battery life. The module connected to Sateliot’s LEO constellation without requiring any hardware alterations, effectively replicating the simple roaming experience users are familiar with on mobile networks. The end-to-end solution was validated in compliance with the 3GPP 5G NB-IoT Release 17 standard, with specialised 5G satellite communications software provided by Gatehouse Satcom.
Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot, commented: “We are facing a technological, commercial, and strategic milestone, comparable to Starlink’s first connection with a mobile phone, and one that proves Europe can also lead the democratisation of connectivity from space.”
The achievement is a key step towards enabling a host of new applications. Industries from logistics and agriculture to environmental monitoring and critical infrastructure management can now take advantage of IoT solutions on a truly global scale using 5G satellite connectivity.
Oyvind Birkenes, Executive VP at Nordic Semiconductor, explained that “the lack of global and harmonised coverage has held back the IoT and M2M markets for years.” He added, “With this breakthrough, it will be possible to create low-power devices with satellite connectivity and accelerate deployments across many key use cases.”
Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom, said his company was “honoured to play a part in this groundbreaking milestone.” He noted that Sateliot is a first-mover in satellite-based IoT and that the project “shows that standardised technology brought together can move mountains.”
Sateliot’s latest IoT technological success is presented as a win for Europe, positioning the continent at the forefront of 5G and satellite innovation. By demonstrating a direct-to-satellite connection with a low-cost commercial sensor, the project supports Europe’s goals for greater competitiveness, security, and strategic autonomy in the critical field of telecommunications.
The company is backing its technology with substantial market traction. Sateliot reports it has already secured recurring revenue contracts worth €250 million from more than 450 customers in over 50 countries. With a business plan projecting €1 billion in revenue by 2030, Sateliot is poised to become a major operator in a newly interconnected world.
See also: AT&T and Ericsson launch marketplace to simplify IoT adoption
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