Sateliot and Turkcell partner to accelerate digitalisation in Turkey

March 5, 2024

The hybrid connectivity service merging terrestrial and satellite infrastructure will enable unseen rates of digitalization in critical industries such as agriculture, logistics, oil & gas, energy, mining, and transportation, which will lead to the widespread adoption of millions of IoT devices in the coming years.

Sateliot, the first company to operate a Low-Earth orbit (LEO) 5G IoT satellite constellation acting as a seamless roaming extension of cellular networks, and Turkcell, the leading telecommunications company based in Türkiye, have reached an agreement to test and demonstrate connectivity to the IoT market on out-of- coverage areas in Turkey.

Turkcell is the largest carrier in Turkey, with a presence in 9 countries, and is known to be the most innovative technological actor in the industry. This strategic partnership with Sateliot underscores its commitment to innovation, solidifying its role as a pioneering force.

Sateliot is launching the first LEO satellite constellation based on the 5G standard, allowing unmodified commercial cellular NB-IoT NTN devices to connect from space. It is the first time in history that terrestrial cellular telecommunications seamlessly merge with satellite connectivity. As a global resource, satellite technology is poised to accelerate universal digitalization, providing a reliable and expansive solution to the existing connectivity challenges.

The final service extends Turkcell cellular coverage, allowing unmodified commercial cellular IoT devices to connect everywhere in the geographies.

Rapid digitalization is key for economic growth, yet infrastructure remains a primary challenge.

Satellite, however, makes the enhancement of the digitalization of key industries such as oil & gas, energy, agriculture, mining, transportation, and logistics possible. The potential in the market is still untapped and is estimated to be over one million IoT devices, transforming many sectors that were previously out of reach of connectivity.

Gianluca Redolfi, Sateliot’s Chief Commercial Officer: “Our standard approach allows any Mobile Network Operator (MNO) to integrate satellite connectivity to their offering, just by a simple roaming agreement. We proudly announce that Turkcell is among the pioneers in adopting and experimenting with this cutting-edge technology.”

Prof. Dr. Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, Chief Network Technologies Officer, Turkcell: We are collaborating with the Sateliot to provide IoT services via LEO satellites within the scope of our strategies to closely monitor, test, and implement cutting-edge technologies. We believe that direct-to-Satellite IoT creates new opportunities which is not possible before. As a result of this trial, we aim to provide Turkcell IoT services globally by extending our terrestrial network coverage.