5G IoT satellite telecommunications operator Sateliot has completed the first 5G IoT transmission between a standard commercial cellular IoT device directly from its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.

The transmission validates full interoperability between terrestrial and satellite networks. It proves that cellular IoT devices designed for existing mobile infrastructure can seamlessly connect to space-based networks without hardware modifications.

The demonstration consisted of sending an end-to-end message using Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF9151 low power cellular IoT module. Without hardware changes, the nRF9151 module successfully connected through Sateliot’s LEO constellation, replicating the seamless roaming experience that mobile networks already offer on the ground.

The project was developed in collaboration with low-power wireless connectivity provider Nordic and Gatehouse Satcom, which provides waveforms and test tools for terminals, satellites, and network infrastructure. Both companies supported validation of the end-to-end solution in compliance with the 5G NB-IoT Release 17 standard.

Jaume Sanpera, Sateliot’s CEO and co-founder, said: “we are facing a technological, commercial, and strategic milestone, comparable to Starlink’s first connection with a mobile phone, and one that proves Europe can also lead the democratisation of connectivity from Space.”

Oyvind Birkenes, Executive Vice President of the Long Range BU at Nordic Semiconductor, said: “the lack of global and harmonised coverage has held back the IoT and M2M markets for years. With this breakthrough, it will be possible to create low-power devices with satellite connectivity and accelerate deployments across many key use cases.”

Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom, said: “it is honoured to play a part in this groundbreaking milestone. Sateliot is in many ways a first-mover in the field of satellite-based IoT and the cooperation between everyone involved shows that standardised technology brought together can move mountains.”