Eurobites: Sovcloud tsunami gathers momentum

Telenor IoT has entered into a strategic partnership with Spanish satellite operator Sateliot to provide global 5G internet of things connectivity through a non-terrestrial network integration. The collaboration intends to address the connectivity gap for industries operating in remote locations where traditional cellular infrastructure is unavailable or insufficient. By combining Telenor’s existing roaming capabilities with Sateliot’s upcoming low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, the firms aim to offer a seamless transition between terrestrial and space-based networks.

This technical integration utilizes the standard 3GPP Release 17 protocols, which allows existing narrow-band IoT devices to connect to satellites without requiring hardware modifications. Telenor IoT will leverage this capability to expand its service footprint across various sectors, including maritime logistics, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. The service is designed to provide cost-effective data transmission for low-power devices that require infrequent updates from isolated regions.

In the United Kingdom, digital challenger bank Monzo has officially entered the mobile market by launching its own mobile virtual network operator. The new service, branded as Monzo Mobile, will operate using the Virgin Media O2 host network to provide national coverage to its customer base. This move represents a significant diversification for the fintech firm, which seeks to integrate telecommunications services directly into its existing digital banking application.

The mobile offering will feature various data plans and will be managed through the bank’s primary interface, allowing users to track usage and subscriptions alongside their financial accounts. By bundling financial products with mobile connectivity, Monzo aims to increase customer retention and create new revenue streams within a competitive retail market. Industry analysts suggest that this strategy follows a growing trend of financial institutions seeking to become all-encompassing digital platforms for consumer services.

Meanwhile, the British government is currently scrutinizing a potential increase in ownership stakes within the national telecommunications sector involving overseas investors. Authorities are reportedly reviewing the influence of high-profile shareholders on the security of critical infrastructure, particularly regarding BT Group. These regulatory reviews are being conducted under the National Security and Investment Act to ensure that foreign capital does not compromise the stability of essential communications assets.

The convergence of satellite and cellular technologies is expected to drive significant growth in the global internet of things market over the next three years. As Sateliot continues to deploy its planned satellite constellation, Telenor IoT is positioned to become one of the first major operators to offer commercial 5G non-terrestrial services. This maturation of the satellite ecosystem will likely lead to further consolidations and partnerships between traditional mobile network operators and space-based providers.