Mobile networks do not cover every place. Because of this, many IoT devices lose their connection. For example, a sensor on a farm, a tracker on a ship, or a monitor on a pipeline can lose signal when there is no mobile network nearby.
Telenor IoT and Sateliot are working together to solve this problem. They want to combine mobile networks and satellite networks. This partnership will help IoT devices stay connected, even in remote places.
In the past, satellite connections usually needed special equipment or custom systems. This made IoT projects more expensive and more difficult to manage.
The new system is simpler. Devices that support NB-IoT can use normal mobile networks in areas with coverage. In areas without mobile coverage, the same devices can connect to Sateliot’s satellites instead. These satellites travel in low orbit around the Earth.
Sateliot’s satellite network uses a new technology standard called 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network), from 3GPP Release 17. According to the companies, devices that support this standard can connect to satellites without extra antennas, new firmware, or special satellite equipment.
However, not every NB-IoT device can use this new system. A device must support the Release 17 NTN standard to connect to the satellite network.
This partnership can be useful in many industries:
- Agriculture: Farmers could check their equipment, soil, and weather, even on far farmland.
- Maritime: Ships and cargo could stay connected while at sea.
- Transport and logistics: Companies could track vehicles and goods on long routes.
- Energy and utilities: Workers could check pipelines, wind farms, and power systems in far places.
- Environment and wildlife: Researchers could get data from sensors in hard-to-reach nature spots.
The companies have already tested this technology in Spain. During the tests, Telenor IoT SIM cards stayed connected to Sateliot’s satellite network for long periods of time. Now, the companies plan to test the system in other countries too.
This news matters for AVASIM because it shows where IoT connectivity is heading: mobile and satellite networks joining into one system. Since AVASIM works with SIM technology and connectivity management, this trend affects its business directly.
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