Barcelona-based satellite IoT provider Sateliot has launched four new low-Earth orbit (LEO) nanosatellites on a SpaceX mission. This launch paves the way for the company to offer a fully operational IoT service. According to Sateliot, the firm has already secured contracts to connect eight million devices and plans to raise an additional €30 million in series B funds.
The company is working on constructing a NB-IoT satellite constellation compliant with Release 17 specifications in the 5G NR cellular standard. This latest launch, named ‘Revolution,’ took place on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It marks a significant step towards commercial operations. Sateliot’s service leverages a virtualized cloud-native 5G core through their partnership with AWS, initiated in late 2022. The goal is to offer satellite NB-IoT as a roaming solution for terrestrial operators.
Notably, Telefonica has been trialing this service. In February, they announced collaboration with Swedish power grid firm Sentrisense to utilize the satellite IoT service for electric grid sensors. Additionally, Sateliot has partnered with freight software and analytics company t42 to deploy 5G-IoT sensors in shipping containers across more than 50 countries. This initiative is expected to save the shipping industry up to $47 billion annually by connecting previously unconnected containers.
Sateliot emphasizes that its NTN-NB-IoT constellation has a democratic and accessible nature. It’s designed to extend mobile operators’ coverage to 100% of the planet. Founded in 2018, the company plans to deploy additional satellites by 2025, aiming to have a total of 100 in orbit by 2028. Currently engaged in series B funding discussions, Sateliot has already raised €25 million and aims to capture market share among SMEs, public administrations, and large enterprises in sectors like agriculture, livestock, logistics, and critical infrastructure.
A company spokesperson stated, “This launch propels us into a new phase of development. Not only will we begin generating revenue, but we will also position Spain as a global leader in IoT connectivity… It also represents the revolution of the 5G NB-IoT NTN standard.”
