Sateliot, a leading telecommunications operator providing a global IoT 5G architecture, has an agreement with the Danish Gatehouse Group to develop what will be the first NB-IoT network, which will enable it to offer global 5G connectivity once its LEO nanosatellite constellation is deployed. This agreement with Gatehouse, a developer of satellite communication systems, is part of the 4.6 million investment plan in R&D of Sateliot and is one of the three projects that the Spanish company will carry out in the next two years.
Specifically, this work will consist of adapting the NB-IoT Slack Protocol and the NB-IoT waveform. This will enable IoT terminals to be connected to Sateliot’s LEO satellite network, whenever they do not have land coverage, or are deployed in remote areas where there is no classic mobile communication infrastructure. Within this framework, both companies will develop a ‘laboratory environment’ where they will simulate the connection using configurable hardware and test the commercial Sateliot services that are expected to start operating in the third quarter of 2022.
Sateliot’s research and work with Gatehouse will contribute to the implementation of the 5G NB-IoT international standard for small and low altitude satellite networks promoted by the 3GPP association, responsible for the 3G/4G and 5G standard, of which Sateliot is an active member. This innovative standard will also be patentable for Sateliot’s exclusive use.
Nevertheless, and according to these implementations and developments, the company will deploy from the last part of the year a constellation composed of up to 100 of these devices. With the size of a microwave, they will orbit some 500 km from the Earth, rising as telecommunications towers from space that will provide an extension of coverage to traditional operators so that they can connect objects anywhere terrestrial networks do not reach.
Michael Bondo Andersen, CEO of Gatehouse, pointed out, “Considering the potential of the New Space or data as 2.7 million IOT devices are connected today through satellites, it is necessary to develop a solution that moves the NB-IOT protocols into space”.
According to Marco Guadalupi, technical director of Sateliot, “Our agreement with Gatehouse is strategic and fundamental for the implementation of our services. And a differentiating step since it will allow us to put our expertise in the main organizations of the sector of which we are members such as 3GPP, GSMA, ETSI or 5G IA”.
