Vodafone IoT and Skylo have launched a commercial satellite connectivity service that allows businesses to connect IoT devices in areas with limited or no cellular coverage.
The service uses Skylo’s non-terrestrial network (NTN) narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) technology, enabling compatible devices to switch between cellular and satellite networks through a standard Vodafone global SIM.
The commercial launch follows customer trials in the UK, Spain, Italy, and Canada. According to Skylo, the trials covered applications including remote storage tank monitoring, micromobility services, and e-bikes.
The companies first announced their partnership in January 2026, outlining plans to integrate satellite connectivity into Vodafone’s global IoT platform. The initial phase focused on testing the technology ahead of its commercial launch on November 9.
How the connectivity works
The service operates through the integration of Vodafone IoT’s and Skylo’s network cores, allowing compatible devices to switch between terrestrial cellular and satellite networks without changing SIM cards.
According to Skylo’s technical requirements, compatible dual-mode devices are designed to prioritise terrestrial networks and switch to satellite connectivity when cellular coverage becomes unavailable. They return to terrestrial connectivity when a suitable network is detected.
The service uses 3GPP Release 17 standards, which introduced support for NB-IoT and enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) over non-terrestrial networks. These specifications provide a standardised framework for compatible IoT devices to communicate through satellite networks.
Although the service uses a standard Vodafone SIM, not all existing IoT devices are compatible with satellite connectivity. Skylo’s technical requirements specify that devices must use compatible modems, support the necessary NTN features, and meet certification requirements.
The technology does not require proprietary satellite communication equipment, according to Skylo. However, devices must still meet the required hardware and software specifications to connect to its satellite network.
The satellite service is managed through Vodafone IoT’s existing Managed Connectivity Platform, which the company says already connects more than 240 million devices worldwide. Vodafone also reports operating across more than 180 countries through partnerships covering over 760 networks.
The integration allows businesses to manage both cellular and satellite connections through the same platform. However, Vodafone’s existing device count does not represent the number of devices using the new satellite service.
IoT applications
Vodafone and Skylo are targeting sectors that rely on connected devices operating in areas with limited cellular coverage. These include asset tracking, logistics, maritime operations, agriculture, mining, and remote energy infrastructure.
The service is intended to support applications such as tracking assets and monitoring equipment in remote locations. However, the companies have not announced commercial deployments across all the sectors identified.
The earlier customer trials covered remote storage tank monitoring, micromobility services, and e-bikes. Vodafone and Skylo have not disclosed the number of devices tested or detailed performance results from these trials.
Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO and co-founder of Skylo, said the integration would allow satellite connectivity to operate as part of Vodafone’s existing IoT service.
“Bringing commercial NTN service to Vodafone IoT customers makes satellite a standard part of their connectivity, not a separate network to manage,” Trivedi said.
The companies have not disclosed customer numbers for the commercial service, pricing details, or a country-by-country availability schedule.
(Photo by Avi Waxman)
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