Skywave Introduces Hybrid Satellite–Cellular Module for Mission-Critical IoT
Orbcomm’s Skywave has launched the ST 4000, a hybrid satellite-cellular IoT module designed to deliver seamless global connectivity for mission-critical industrial applications.
The module is a step toward always-on IoT using non-terrestrial networks as a native extension of cellular, rather than a fallback add-on. By combining satellite reach and cellular connectivity in a single hardware module, the device enables direct-to-device (D2D) operation without requiring separate SKUs, complex application-level failover logic, or manual network management.
It has been designed for low-data-rate, high-reliability use cases such as remote asset tracking, environmental monitoring, and energy infrastructure management, scenarios where terrestrial coverage is inconsistent and downtime carries operational risk. According to SKYWAVE, more than a dozen solution providers have already deployed the ST 4000 in live industrial environments.
The launch underscores a broader trend in the NTN ecosystem: hybrid satellite-cellular architectures moving into commercially mature, plug-and-play IoT products, simplifying adoption for enterprises while extending connectivity far beyond the limits of terrestrial networks.