Telefónica and Sateliot have entered into an agreement to develop satellite 5G connectivity, focusing on integrating low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks with Telefónica’s existing terrestrial NB-IoT networks.
The collaboration, involving Telefónica Tech and Telefónica Global Solutions (TGS), aims to create a dual 5G NB-IoT service that extends coverage to remote areas, including maritime zones. LEO satellites, orbiting at 500 to 1,000 kilometers, will complement terrestrial networks without requiring new devices for users already equipped for NB-IoT connectivity.
Sectors such as agriculture, shipping, wind farms, solar orchards, and livestock farming stand to benefit from improved access in isolated locations. The partnership also targets defense and security applications through 5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks (NR-NTN), enhancing resilience and global coverage in complex scenarios.
Pilots for pre-commercial trials with customers are scheduled to begin by the end of this year. This builds on a 2023 end-to-end test supervised by the European Space Agency, which validated standard roaming between Telefónica’s network and Sateliot’s LEO system using a conventional SIM card.
Sateliot provides its 5G NTN IoT satellite platform, while Telefónica contributes adaptations of 5G NR for defense and security, including terrestrial network integration.