Skylo, a satellite network service provider, has announced its collaboration with Deutsche Telekom (“DT”), a telecommunications provider, to provide the satellite network for DT’s converged cellular and satellite connectivity offering for IoT applications under the T-IoT brand. This eliminates the need for end users to purchase separate devices, services, and bills from multiple providers, and have access to coverage wherever they have access to the open sky.
“We are honored to get to work with the team at Deutsche Telekom, to support it in its continuous innovation in the telecommunications space, and to bring coverage to its customers,” says Tarun Gupta, chief product officer and co-founder of Skylo. “Customers will benefit from Skylo’s direct-to-device (D2D) service that allows 3GPP Release 17-compatible devices to connect over existing satellites. This allows them to obtain affordable connectivity in all areas of the world with the devices they already have.”
Skylo’s NTN, 3GPP-compatible D2D service is supported by its technology stack that is secured with over 65 patents. Its network includes all of the features of a standard mobile operator, including a standards-based RAN, a mobile core, a billing system, and more. This enables users with compatible cellular devices to automatically toggle between terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity, using satellite connection as if they’re roaming. This is an ideal scenario as users don’t have to change their behavior, such as manually switching between the connectivity options.
“With integrating Skylo’s NTN, direct-to-device service into our T IoT offering, we expand our IoT network of networks´ with a new innovative satellite connectivity, perfectly suited for narrowband IoT-cases,” says Christopher Ruettgers, chief product officer with DT IoT. “The opportunity to switch with compatible devices between terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity, enables completely new possibilities for IoT. For our customers, this means best network connectivity everywhere, totally simple.”
IoT modules from leading module manufacturers Murata and Quectel, supporting the new NTN service from Deutsche Telekom and Skylo, will be available for Deutsche Telekom customers and developers later this year.
More information on Deutsche Telekom’s service will be available on its website in the summer timeframe. To learn more about Skylo’s NTN service, click here.
Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_OR @jcIoTnow
