Spanish 5G IoT satellite constellation operator Sateliot and Turkish telco Turkcell have completed a field demonstration of 5G NTN IoT connectivity via satellite both in Barcelona and Istanbul.

The demonstration was carried out to validate standard-based 5G NB-IoT NTN connectivity over Sateliot’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and demonstrate its seamless integration as an extension of Turkcell’s terrestrial cellular network.

This test confirms that cellular IoT devices can seamlessly remain connected when they leave terrestrial coverage, switching between mobile and satellite networks without service interruption. This opens the door to digital applications in remote and hard-to-reach areas where connectivity is currently limited.

Thanks to this integration, sectors such as agriculture, logistics, energy and emergency management, which are growing rapidly in Turkey, can continuously and securely monitor assets and processes. The combination of terrestrial and satellite connectivity allows for extended reach to remote areas without replacing existing devices, thus offering a seamless and uninterrupted experience to the end user.

Following the success of this trial, Sateliot and Turkcell plan to explore future deployments, consolidating a more connected, inclusive IoT ecosystem, ready for the challenges of digitalisation.

“This project demonstrates that satellite connectivity can be seamlessly integrated with the mobile network,” said Gianluca Redolfi, CCO of Sateliot. “For the end user, it means that their cellular IoT devices continue to function in both mobile and satellite networks, with the same cellular device.”

Vehbi Çagrı Güngör, network technologies officer of Turkcell, added: “With this collaboration, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation, development and digitalisation of strategic sectors in Turkey, enabling new IoT services.”

Founded in 2018, Sateliot (sateliot.space) is a European satellite telecommunications company headquartered in Barcelona. It has deployed the first LEO satellite constellation under the 3GPP standard (Release 17 NTN), enabling unmodified commercial NB-IoT devices to connect directly from space. Its technology seamlessly integrates terrestrial and satellite networks to provide affordable 5G connectivity in remote areas and wherever conventional infrastructure does not reach. It plans to launch its Tritó satellites in 2027.

Turkcell (www.turkcell.com.tr) operates in Turkey, Belarus and northern Cyprus.