In a significant leap forward for satellite connectivity, Sateliot, the Spain-based satellite operator, has successfully achieved a 5G service messaging connection through the integration of Norway’s Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) commercial network KSATlite. Leveraging the technological prowess of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Sateliot has developed a fully virtualized cloud-native 5G core specifically designed for Narrowband (NB)-IoT Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
Collaborative Strengths for 5G IoT Satellite Connectivity
The collaboration between Sateliot and KSAT is a strategic amalgamation of strengths, creating a powerful ecosystem for 5G IoT satellite connectivity. Sateliot’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation seamlessly integrates with KSAT’s ground network services, ensuring a system characterized by reliability, scalability, and global coverage.
This achievement marks a historic milestone for Sateliot, representing its first-ever 5G service messaging connection utilizing KSAT’s Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) network. The integration involved deploying Sateliot’s NB-IoT NTN Core Network using AWS technology, with KSATlite serving as a 5G point-of-presence (PoP).
Critical Juncture: PoP as Integration Hub
The PoP, functioning as a crucial integration hub, signifies the seamless merging of ground and satellite services. Notably, Sateliot’s global 5G NB-IoT NTN service no longer necessitates dedicated Ground Gateways for Satellite IoT backhaul, thanks to the end-to-end standard provided by KSATlite.
Marco Guadalupi, CTO at Sateliot, underscores the achievement, stating, “The successful integration of Sateliot’s service into KSATlite solution brings unprecedented infrastructure optimization with fast and reliable data delivery. With KSAT, we reduce global service latency thanks to the strategic locations of their ground stations near the poles, thus allowing us to maximize daily ground contact passes.”
John Heskett, CTO at KSAT, expresses excitement about the expansion of LEO satellite applications, providing a fully compliant 3GPP NB-IoT NTN service. He adds, “KSAT is proud to have successfully integrated into Sateliot’s architecture, effectively serving as their feeder link gateways and their 5G-POPs. We look forward to Sateliot’s continued success and seeing this sector of the LEO satellite market grow!”
