Photo: NASA

IoT company floLive is partnering with satellite IoT company Skylo to extend its network with Skylo’s non-terrestrial network (NTN) IoT connectivity. 

floLive operates a global “hyperlocal” IoT data network that autonomously switches customers between carrier networks. Skylo operates as a service provider for satellite IoT and will provide  3GPP-compliant coverage in remote and rural areas through Inmarsat’s satellite network. The companies said this partnership can be done with a firmware update to existing devices with no new hardware. Connectivity is expected to be live in the first quarter of 2023. 

Eric DaVersa, vice president of Business Development at Skylo said this partnership will quickly enable a variety of connected products to use Skylo’s network. “The fact that device makers now have the choice to include satellite NTN connectivity in their products without adding any incremental hardware is a paradigm shift for the industry,” he said 

“This collaboration enables us to expand the reach of our global network into new territories to provide truly ubiquitous coverage to our customers,” said Bill Wark, senior vice president of Sales at floLive. 

A number of satellite IoT companies are targeting similar partnerships through mobile network operators (MNOs) or cellular IoT companies that combine cellular and satellite IoT. Sateliot is working with Telefonica, and Astrocast with Soracom, for example.