Telefónica and Sateliot Partner to Extend 5G NTN into Critical Sectors
Telefónica has partnered with Sateliot to develop 5G satellite connectivity solutions for defence, security and other strategic sectors, building on the growing convergence between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
The collaboration focuses on advancing 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks (NR-NTN), extending beyond existing NB-IoT satellite capabilities to support more advanced use cases. By combining Telefónica’s terrestrial 5G infrastructure with Sateliot’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite platform, the companies aim to create a hybrid architecture that can deliver coverage in remote, maritime and off-network environments.
A key element of the agreement is the development of pilot projects to validate interoperability between terrestrial and satellite networks, particularly in demanding operational scenarios. The partnership will also explore enhanced 5G capabilities tailored for defence applications, including integration with private 5G “tactical bubble” deployments.
The move builds on earlier joint demonstrations between the two companies, including successful validation of roaming between terrestrial and satellite networks using standard SIM technology.
The announcement highlights several important trends in the NTN landscape:
Shift from NB-IoT to NR-NTN: The ecosystem is evolving toward higher-capability 5G New Radio-based services
Hybrid network architectures: Integration between terrestrial and satellite systems is becoming central to deployment strategies
Focus on critical use cases: Defence, security and industrial applications are emerging as early drivers of NTN adoption
Strategically, the partnership reflects a growing focus on mission-critical connectivity, where resilience, coverage and interoperability are essential. Satellite-enabled 5G can extend network reach into environments where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable, while also providing redundancy in contested or disrupted scenarios.
For Telefónica, the agreement reinforces its position in private and enterprise 5G networks, extending these capabilities into the space domain. For Sateliot, it represents another step in expanding beyond IoT into broader 5G NTN services aligned with operator requirements.