Soracom has initiated a commercial rollout of satellite NB-IoT in collaboration with Skylo Technologies. This phased launch targets key enterprise customers and marks a significant step forward in integrating terrestrial and satellite connectivity options. By leveraging Skylo’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, Soracom aims to enhance its global IoT services, following the deal they signed last year.
Soracom’s customers in North America, Europe, and Oceania can now request to activate direct-to-device satellite NB-IoT connections. They can seamlessly switch between cellular and satellite IoT networks using Soracom’s cloud platform. This service operates with existing Release-17 level NB-IoT hardware, allowing businesses to add Skylo’s satellite connectivity over-the-air to their existing Soracom IoT SIM subscriptions.
“Soracom is committed to an internet of things without limits – where anything can connect to any cloud from anywhere,” said Kenta Yasukawa, co-founder and CTO of Soracom. This commitment reflects the platform’s ability to minimize data transmission costs and latency while maintaining integration with a client’s preferred cloud services.
On the flip side, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) typically experience higher latency and data costs compared to cellular networks. However, Soracom’s technology mitigates these issues by reducing the data payload that needs to be sent via satellite. This approach also integrates billing and connectivity management within Soracom’s platform, offering a comprehensive solution for businesses needing reliable coverage.
Parth Trivedi, co-founder and CEO of Skylo, highlighted the deep platform integration and seamless switching capabilities. “Deep platform integration, seamless switching between NTN and cellular, and the ability to add NTN gives Soracom customers the ability to unlock the full potential of IoT at any time, regardless of their location or infrastructure constraints,” he stated. This feature proves invaluable for real-time data access and control in areas underserved by cellular networks.
Ray Ozzie, founder and CEO of Blues, echoed similar sentiments at a recent Soracom partner event. He emphasized, “The ability to connect via satellite where cellular is not an option while allowing customers to maintain control and minimize data overhead promises to help Blues build a safer, more intelligent connected world.”
With satellite NB-IoT technology, enterprises can rely on consistent and far-reaching connectivity. The integration of these services ensures that even in remote or underserved areas, IoT devices can operate efficiently, thereby broadening the scope of applications and innovations.
