Deutsche Telekom Expands into Satellite IoT

Deutsche Telekom held its inaugural Satellite IoT Day in Bonn on June 11. It revealed details of its narrowband service, which is already in operation with 19 users in 9 countries, and its forthcoming broadband service. Alongside GEO satellite partners Intelsat and Viasat and 'little-LEO' ventures OQ and Sateliot, DT has signed up service partners including Skylo and specialized equipment providers such as MuRata to allow it to provide integrated satellite and cellular services to customers. The definition of new NTN standards from the 3GPP is furthering this integration of IoT services and facilitating customer demands for a seamless service combining cellular and satellite connectivity using ubiquitous terminals. Transport, logistics, and agriculture are key target markets. Shortly afterwards, Swisscom announced a similar initiative with Echostar and Actility, and IDC expects to see further initiatives in this area.