Deutsche Telekom said it will use satellite communications to enhance the coverage of Internet of Things (IoT) business.
Initial partners are Intelsat for more broadband applications and Skylo for narrowband devices (NB-IoT) via satellite, Deutsche Telekom said. Deutsche Telekom will launch with an attractive IoT offering in the second quarter 2023.

“With integrating satellite connectivity into our T IoT offering we are reshaping the future of global IoT networking. Our customers now have a network of networks with ubiquitous connectivity which enables completely new possibilities,” says Dennis Nikles, CEO of Deutsche Telekom IoT.

The partnership with Intelsat enables Deutsche Telekom’s IoT customers to directly use a global satellite infrastructure and forms an important non-terrestrial building block for Deutsche Telekom’s network-of-networks.

Deutsche Telekom IoT (DT IoT) intends to integrate Intelsat FlexEnterprise into its cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) offering to extend easy-to-use IoT solutions to locations regardless of the availability of fiber or cellular connectivity options.

“Satellite connectivity allows IoT to connect physical objects and devices from anywhere on the globe to the virtual world to enhance real-time data collection, analysis and decision making,” said Brian Jakins, Intelsat Networks general manager.

In addition, Skylo opens the use of convergent cellular devices for companies for their IoT applications for the first time. Thanks to new “direct-to-device” 5G NTN technology standards (3GPP Rel. 17), certified NB-IoT-capable device or modules will also be able to connect to the satellite network without the need for any extra hardware.

At the end of the year, Deutsche Telekom is launching an early adopter program for developers who can test convergent end devices for the first time.