27.09.2023
Satellite IoT:O2 Telefónica extends its IoT network to satellite connectivity
Skylo's so-called Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) can complement networks on Earth and help fill coverage gaps
O2 Telefónica and Skylo Technologies, a leading provider of satellite-based telecommunications for the Internet of Things (IoT), have partnered for global IoT connectivity. Skylo's so-called Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), which transmits from space, can complement networks on Earth and help fill coverage gaps. Currently, special terminals are needed to communicate with satellites. In the future, integrated 5G radio modules can seamlessly switch between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. These radio modules will use O2 Telefónica's Integrated SIM (iSIM). This will change the way companies can seamlessly, reliably, sustainably and cost-effectively network their IoT devices and ensure data transmission.
- O2 Telefónica to offer global Internet of Things (IoT) on land, sea and air
- O2 Telefónica and satellite operator Skylo agree partnership
- Further partnerships with IoT satellite operators planned by the end of 2023
- Der hybride satellitengestützte Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT){b}Hybrid satellite-based Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) connectivity service for terrestrial and satellite-based IoT networking available to enterprises in Q1 2024
Network coverage in hard-to-reach areas
Satellite-based IoT networking offers a variety of options for situations where terrestrial networks reach their limits. For example, in remote areas, it can be challenging to connect stationary IoT devices, such as sensors for agriculture, to the cellular network. In addition, more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans. For this, the hybrid cellular-satellite connectivity service provides extensive network coverage and enables IoT applications in areas that were previously difficult to reach. This is especially true in countries where there are no terrestrial Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) networks. Companies can use the new service to better network and monitor their devices on a global scale.
Launch starts in North America and Europe
Karsten Pradel
O2 Telefónica and Skylo will launch the 3GPP-compliant hybrid satellite-based NB-IoT connectivity service in the first quarter of 2024 for seamless NB-IoT satellite coverage in North America and Europe. Subsequently, the cooperation partners will gradually expand the offering to other continents.
Karsten Pradel, Director B2B at O2 Telefónica, underlines the importance of the partnership: "Our collaboration with Skylo is an important building block. Together with Skylo, we can now offer our customers one-stop IoT networking solutions even in remote areas. This new hybrid approach, supported by satellite technology, complements our IoT portfolio and demonstrates how we are driving digitalization and seamlessly connecting businesses worldwide."
Parsanna Iyengar
Parsanna Iyengar, Director of Product Management at Skylo, added: "We are delighted to partner with O2 Telefónica. Providing terrestrial and satellite connectivity from a single source offers businesses reliable, flexible, seamless and global connectivity, regardless of their location or specific requirements."
Integrated SIM card for hybrid IoT networking
O Telefónica offers the hybrid connectivity service with integrated SIM (iSIM). This saves costs, increases security and improves sustainability. The iSIM is integrated directly into the IoT radio chip, allowing for a more compact, lightweight and cost-effective design. Customers can easily upgrade their IoT installations to O2 Telefónica's direct-to-satellite solution via software update, minimizing investment and optimizing return on investment.
For more information
Managed connectivity of IoT devices O2 Business
About Skylo
Skylo Technologies is an NTN service provider based in Mountain View, California, that offers a service that enables smartphone and IoT mobile devices to connect directly over existing satellites. The satellite-connected devices are managed and served by Skylo's commercial NTN vRAN, which includes a cloud-native base station and core based on 3GPP standards. Skylo works with existing satellite operators, terrestrial mobile network operators and device manufacturers to provide customers with a connectivity solution that seamlessly switches between terrestrial and satellite networks anywhere, anytime. Skylo is focused on enabling connected services for people outdoors and connected workflows for machines at work in critical industries such as agriculture, shipping, logistics, mining and others, in addition to mass-market devices. For more information, visit www.skylo.tech, contact info@skylo.tech, or follow us on LinkedIn and X / Twitter.
