Skylo Technologies will begin commercializing NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB IoT) services via agreements with Inmarsat and SoftBank.
This week, the provider of narrowband IoT services announced that satellite operator Inmarsat will provide the satellite capacity backbone for its IoT solutions for connecting machines and sensors via its L-band Network.
“Our global IoT connectivity fabric enables thousands of life-changing applications — from monitoring vaccine efficacy during delivery to advancing precision farming and providing early warnings in the event of natural disasters,” said Parth Trivedi, CEO and co-founder of Skylo.
“We look forward to expanding globally and making our platform available to small and large businesses, organizations deploying new sensors, systems integrators, distributors, governments, and original equipment manufacturers.”
NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology that enables cost-effective Internet of Things devices and services while minimizing battery and spectrum requirements.
Skylo connects machines to enable continuous, real-time data transmission via the Skylo Hub, a small, rugged terminal that communicates with the Skylo Satellite Network. The solution is now available in India as a result of a partnership with state-owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), with plans to expand later this year.
“Inmarsat’s industry-leading L-band network enables the billions of connected IoT devices being deployed at breakneck speed in India and around the world,” added Inmarsat CEO Rajeev Suri. “We are delighted to partner with Skylo to deliver an IoT fabric that is up to the task.”
Softbank offers stratospheric coverage
Skylo is also collaborating with SoftBank on what the Japanese company refers to as Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions. These solutions enable connectivity from space and the stratosphere.
SoftBank’s offerings will include Skylo’s Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting (GEO) satellite NB IoT services, OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications, and SoftBank subsidiary HAPSMobile Inc.’s stratospheric telecommunication platforms.
SoftBank has made recent investments in a variety of non-terrestrial communications technologies. Along with HAPSMobile, the company has previously invested in Skylo, SoftBank, and Altaeros, an aerostat company.
“Many analogue industries continue to lack adequate access to communication networks on a global scale. Internet access is the first step toward digital transformation in these industries, and we believe our NTN solutions will be extremely effective in accomplishing this goal,” said Hidebumi Kitahara, SoftBank vice president and head of the technology unit’s global business strategy division.
“Through our NTN solutions, which are powered by Skylo, OneWeb, and HAPSMobile, we will work to provide telecommunications networks worldwide.”
