Satellite modem

NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) modems provide connectivity through satellites and high-altitude platforms, enabling data transmission outside terrestrial cellular coverage. NTN was standardized by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) as part of 5G and LTE specifications. It uses the standard cellular stack, including SIM/eSIM authentication, roaming, and regular IP traffic.

The NTN market is currently transitioning from early pilot deployments to the first commercial rollouts. We're looking for a partner company like Skylo that's ready to work with us to add support for their satellite network to our eSIM module.

NTN technologies are generally divided into two main categories:

NB-NTN (Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Network) — a satellite extension of NB-IoT / LTE-M designed for low-bandwidth IoT applications such as telemetry, asset tracking, and remote sensors. This is currently the most mature part of the NTN technology. Commercial embedded NB-NTN modules are already available, for example Quectel BG770A-SN. M.2 modules are not yet available, but are expected to appear within the next few years.

NR-NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network) — full broadband satellite 5G. The technology is only beginning to enter early commercial deployment. Qualcomm has announced the X105 - a unified terrestrial + satellite modem supporting LTE/5G cellular networks, satellite NR-NTN and NB-NTN connectivity and includes GNSS receiver for positioning. Commercial availability of 5G + NTN modems, including M.2 modules, is expected within the next several years.

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