Velocity IoT Satellite NTN Services

Velocity IoT supports Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity as part of a hybrid satellite and cellular solution aligned with 3GPP Release 17 standards.

We utilize NB-IoT over Release 17 NTN. Devices supporting this specification may be eligible for satellite connectivity, subject to RF design requirements and certification.

Velocity IoT’s current NTN provider is Skylo, which enables standards-based NB-IoT/LTE-M devices to connect via GEO satellites.

How the Service Operates

Velocity IoT’s Satellite NTN service:

• Enables compatible devices to connect via satellite where coverage is available
• Operates within a cellular-style framework, similar to international roaming
• Uses standardized 3GPP Release 17 NTN specifications rather than proprietary satellite protocols

Devices can be configured to operate in hybrid mode:

• Prioritize terrestrial cellular connectivity
• Fall back to satellite connectivity when cellular coverage is unavailable

This approach extends coverage without requiring separate satellite-only device platforms.

SIM Requirements

To support both terrestrial cellular connectivity and Satellite NTN, the SIM must be provisioned to accommodate multiple network identities.

Velocity IoT provides Skylo NTN access as an additional IMSI. Two primary implementation approaches are supported.

Multi- IMSI (UICC-based)

In a Multi-IMSI configuration:

• One or more terrestrial cellular IMSIs are provisioned on the SIM
• A dedicated Skylo NTN IMSI is also provisioned
• Up to 10 IMSIs can reside on a single SIM

A SIM applet manages IMSI selection either:

• Automatically (based on network conditions),

or

• Under application-level control

From the device perspective, this appears as a single SIM. However, the SIM presents different IMSI identities to the network depending on the active profile.

Additional characteristics:

• OTA updates can be performed while connected to terrestrial cellular
• A single Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) manages both cellular and NTN connectivity

Multi-IMSI over eUICC

In a Multi-IMSI over eUICC configuration, our multi-IMSI applet is used with both terrestrial cellular and NTN IMSIs provisioned on the first profile of the eUICC.

This provides the same operational behavior as a Multi-IMSI-only solution, including:

• OTA updates to change or add IMSIs
• Autonomous switching (managed by the applet and/or under application control)

If required in the future, additional eUICC profiles can be added. In that case, eIM is required, and there may be additional costs associated with downloading an entire profile.

Coverage

Skylo’s commercially available satellite network service covers:

• Approximately 70 million square kilometers
• 37 countries
• 5 continents

Coverage details:

https://www.skylo.tech/resources/geographical-coverage

Deployment Requirements

Satellite NTN connectivity:

• Requires outdoor deployment
• Requires clear line-of-sight to the sky

Is not supported indoors without specialized external antenna solutions

Device Support

To support Satellite NTN, devices must:

• Support 3GPP Release 17 NTN (NB-IoT over NTN)
• Meet required RF and antenna specifications
• Obtain applicable Skylo certification (where required)

Skylo Certified Devices: https://www.skylo.tech/certified-devices 

Billing & Charging Model

Satellite data usage is typically billed using:

• 1 KB charging increments
• Larger increments (MB/GB) depending on service plan
• In some plans, byte-level precision for data consumption

Charging structure depends on the selected commercial plan.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluation plans are available and include:

• 100 KB NTN data
• 70 MB Cellular data