Vodafone IoT has launched a new satellite connectivity service with Skylo.
As a result, the move gives businesses access to more reliable coverage, including in areas where traditional mobile networks cannot reach.
The service uses satellite-based Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) technology to help businesses keep their connected devices online, even in remote locations.
The commercial launch follows successful trials with customers in the UK, Spain, Italy and Canada. These included projects involving remote storage tank monitoring, micro-mobility services and e-bikes.
The new service allows devices to switch automatically between mobile and satellite networks using a standard Vodafone global SIM. The service works with existing mobile networks and devices because it is built on 3GPP standards, which allow satellite and mobile networks to work together.
Businesses will manage their connections through Vodafone IoT’s Managed Connectivity Platform, which already connects more than 240 million devices worldwide, the telecoms giant revealed.
Vodafone IoT CEO, Erik Brenneis, said: “Integrating satellite connectivity directly into our cellular estate is a gamechanger for enterprise operations. Moving to a full commercial launch with Skylo allows us to offer our customers truly ubiquitous connectivity. Whether that’s tracking supply chains across continents or monitoring utilities in unreachable locations, businesses can count on Vodafone IoT for continuous, resilient connectivity, wherever they need it.
“This is only the beginning of our hybrid cellular-satellite journey, and we look forward to connecting more customers, in more countries, on more networks.”
Skylo CEO and Co-Founder, Parthsarathi Trivedi added: “Bringing commercial NTN service to Vodafone IoT customers makes satellite a standard part of their connectivity, not a separate network to manage.
“By working together, NTN becomes a seamless extension of the mobile network – standards-based, integrated through a single Vodafone SIM, and ready to solve real-world commercial needs today. That’s what the standardised sky looks like: operators bringing terrestrial and satellite networks together as one, so customers can focus on running their business, not their connectivity.”
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