Soracom, Inc., a prominent provider in the IoT connectivity space, announced today the global rollout of its integration with Skylo, a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service operator. This development, which moves the service from Private Beta to an initial global service for selected customers, signifies Soracom’s commitment to expanding connectivity options for IoT and M2M devices. The company aims to offer reliable network solutions even in regions where traditional cellular networks are inadequate.
Enhanced Connectivity Through Integration
The partnership between Soracom and Skylo was first revealed in 2023. This collaboration aims to provide customers with direct-to-device 3GPP NTN connectivity via Skylo’s satellite network. During a keynote at Soracom Discovery 2024, Soracom CTO Kenta Yasukawa and Skylo CEO Parth Trivedi confirmed that qualified customers could now activate Skylo connectivity on Soracom SIMs/eSIMs. This enables devices to switch seamlessly between terrestrial and NTN networks.
Subscription Containers Feature
Skylo’s satellite NTN technology allows devices designed for terrestrial networks to connect via existing satellites using the 3GPP Release 17 standard. This is particularly beneficial for customers in North America, Europe, and Oceania who have devices with 3GPP R.17-capable LPWAN modules. Soracom’s Subscription Containers feature facilitates the addition of the Skylo-based satellite connectivity plan, known as “planNT1,” over the air to existing IoT SIM cards. Despite the higher latency and base data costs associated with NTN, Soracom’s platform services help minimize data transmission while maintaining seamless cloud integration.
Customer Benefits and Future Prospects
Soracom’s platform services not only maximize coverage but also offer satellite failover and integrated billing and connectivity management via the Soracom Connectivity Management Platform (CMP). Speaking on this development, CTO Kenta Yasukawa stated,
“Soracom is committed to an Internet of Things without limits, where anything can connect to any cloud from anywhere.”
Skylo CEO Parth Trivedi expressed similar sentiments, noting,
“Deep platform integration, seamless switching between NTN and cellular, and the ability to add NTN gives Soracom customers the ability to unlock the full potential of IoT at any time.”
Historically, the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks has been a complex and costly endeavor for IoT service providers. Previous announcements from Soracom and Skylo mainly focused on the technical viability of such integrations and limited trials. Today, the commercial availability in Limited Preview suggests significant progress in making this technology accessible to a broader audience. This move reflects a growing trend towards utilizing satellite networks to bridge connectivity gaps, which remains a challenge in remote or underserved regions.
Earlier IoT connectivity solutions often faced limitations in terms of network coverage and reliability, especially in regions lacking substantial infrastructure. Soracom’s latest development seems aimed at addressing these challenges by combining cellular and satellite connectivity. The introduction of Subscription Containers to facilitate easy integration and activation of satellite connectivity plans marks a notable shift towards a more flexible and comprehensive IoT connectivity strategy.
The expanded Skylo integration allows Soracom customers to leverage advanced IoT capabilities regardless of geographical limitations. This development is expected to benefit sectors requiring reliable and widespread connectivity, such as agriculture, logistics, and remote monitoring. As the IoT ecosystem continues to grow, such integrations are likely to become more common, providing businesses with robust and versatile connectivity solutions.
