While there is a high demand for it, satellite IoT is not commercially viable today given its prohibitive cost. Low Earth orbit (LEO) and geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) are currently used for satellite communication; however, they use proprietary devices that can have a price tag of more than $100 and operate on satellite-only closed networks, taking them out of the running for general IoT use. New IoT end markets, such as shipping container applications, are typically out of range of terrestrial networks or are mobile, which move in and out of range.
Shipping lines do monitor containers, but not in real time. The best they can offer is a manual or visual scan of the container at certain checkpoints. As a result, according to a Berg Insight report, 99% of maritime transport containers are not tracked or even inspected, based solely on connectivity issues, resulting in approximately $50 billion in estimated cargo-theft costs, tampering, accidents and damages. Shipping companies are allocating significant investments so that 25% of their containers will be smart by 2025, according to the report.
Addressing the challenge, Sateliot and t42 recently announced a satellite-based 5G IoT maritime tracking collaboration. The companies leverage a telecoms-focused, standards-based approach that incorporates satellite into 3GPP standards, allowing devices to roam from terrestrial telco networks to satellite networks using sub-$5 off-the-shelf devices for a price point similar to terrestrial networks.
Sateliot and t42 partner on maritime satellite-based 5G IoT. (Source: Sateliot)
Both companies bring important expertise to the table. Sateliot is the first to operate a LEO 5G IoT satellite constellation, while t42 provides multi-sensor IoT tracking devices for maritime containers combined with a state-of-the-art command center and cloud-based analytics and alerts. The companies estimate that the collaboration will enable shipping companies to save $52 billion (€47 billion) annually.
T42 will deploy thousands of 5G-IoT sensors in containers for its more than 50 logistics partners, connecting to Sateliot’s satellites. This is expected to solve the problem of a lack of coverage on the high seas. It also ensures secure control of merchandise, as the sensors monitor location, acceleration, temperature, humidity, impacts, tilt, light conditions and container damage, among other parameters, providing intelligent detection of these variables anytime and anywhere.
“The device is called Tetis for dry containers and Tetis R for refrigerated containers,” said Maxim Perry, VP of sales and marketing at t42. “Both devices combine cellular communication with global navigation satellite system [GNSS], using a wide variety of sensors. In addition, the devices contain BLE connectivity, so essentially, we can connect any BLE sensors required.”
The company’s existing 24/7/365 AI-based monitoring via secured online access across devices includes real-time alerts and reports. Machine-learning algorithms constantly improve optimization of shipment routing, adding to the significant cost reductions.
Perry expects the deployment of 250,000 devices a year in the first five years. “The main challenge will depend on the shipping line adaptation rate.”
Carriers will equip their containers with the Tetis devices, and the operators (clients) will be able to pay for the data that is important to them.
Sateliot’s LEO satellite constellation, based on the 5G standard, allows unmodified commercial cellular NB-IoT NTN devices to connect from space. For the first time, terrestrial cellular telecommunications seamlessly merge with satellite connectivity, the company said.
Sateliot’s technology extends 5G NB-IoT connectivity to any part of the world without terrestrial coverage and without operators having to change their hardware, and at a low cost. Operators can connect to the nanosatellite network via a roaming service when they need to extend their cellular coverage.
The companies believe the combination of Sateliot’s and t42’s technologies is the first major change to container technology in 67 years, when the standardized shipping container was invented in 1956. The second revolution for containers is the new 5G standard for IoT communications that can connect devices seamlessly to satellite (NTN) and cellular networks, Sateliot said.
Sateliot plans to expand its Nanosatellite Constellation, with 60 additional nanosatellites scheduled for launch over the next 18 months. This marks the company’s entry into the commercial phase. Sateliot said it achieved the world’s first 5G connection from space with Telefonica, marking a milestone in telecommunications.
“We are leading a technological breakthrough, connecting all t42 IoT devices to a standard 5G satellite connectivity business model that will be a win/win to all involved parties and will set both Sateliot and t42 as the leaders of the industry,” Perry said.
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