Satellite Networks Step into the Spotlight as Global Demand for IoT Connectivity Grows
The demand for narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) connectivity is surging, driven by the need to connect vast numbers of low-power, wide area (LPWA) devices across utilities, logistics, agriculture, smart buildings, and beyond.
According to recent market intelligence from Juniper Research, the total number of LPWA IoT devices is increasing from 939 million in 2024 to 2.1 billion by 2028, representing a 229% increase.1 At the same time, the satellite IoT sector is experiencing one of its most significant growth phases, as Kaleido Intelligence anticipates that NTN-NB (NB-IoT) compatible devices will account for over $325 million in revenues by the end of 2030, representing over 75% of the total forecast.2
This blog covers a wholistic view of the impact on the ecosystem as the lines between terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity disappear. The GSMA has consistently highlighted the importance of globally harmonized standards to support scalable IoT growth. As NB-IoT adoption accelerates, alignment across mobile and satellite ecosystems is critical to ensuring interoperability, security, and long device lifecycles. Standards-based approaches enable operators and solution providers to innovate while maintaining global reach and consistency.
For satellite operators, IoT companies, and mobile network operators (MNOs), these converging trends matter. Satellite operators are increasingly partnering with IoT devices and solution providers to enable NB-IoT services outside the reach of terrestrial networks. Remote infrastructure, shipping fleets, agricultural sites, and other locations where cellular coverage is weak or absent will be impacted. IoT companies can leverage satellite-enabled NB-IoT to extend their product footprint globally, offer continuity of service off-grid, and integrate seamlessly with cellular rollouts.
NB-IoT is built for devices that need to work anywhere, for years, without attention
NB-IoT is an LPWA technology designed to connect many devices over long distances while consuming minimal power and bandwidth. It offers reliable connectivity and strong security under existing mobile infrastructure, is built for efficiency, and ideal for transmitting small data packets from sensors, meters, and monitoring devices that report infrequently.
As terrestrial NB-IoT networks reach their coverage limits, the role of satellite operators becomes increasingly important. By integrating satellite and cellular NB-IoT networks, coverage gaps in rural, maritime, and other hard-to-reach regions can be closed. This hybrid approach enables true global IoT connectivity, whether it’s a sensor in the middle of the ocean or a smart meter in a remote village, data is transmitted efficiently and effectively. GSMA has emphasized that hybrid terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks are key to achieving truly ubiquitous IoT connectivity. By integrating satellite NTN capabilities with existing mobile networks, operators can extend service continuity to remote, rural, maritime, and hard-to-reach locations while leveraging familiar cellular architectures and operational models.
3GPP Release 17 brings NTN into the forefront of IoT connectivity
With 3GPP Release 17, NB-IoT has officially expanded beyond traditional ground networks to include Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). This release strengthens NB-IoT by improving coverage efficiency and scalability for large-scale deployments. It establishes formal standards for integrating satellite communications with existing cellular infrastructure, enabling IoT devices to connect even in regions without terrestrial coverage.
Release 17 introduces procedures for managing beam handovers, allowing devices to stay connected as satellites move or as signals transition between beams. These advancements are especially valuable for mobile IoT applications like logistics, maritime tracking, and transportation, where uninterrupted connectivity is critical.
Overall, Release 17 extends NB-IoT's reach and reliability, making it a practical solution for low-power, low-data-rate IoT devices operating in remote or previously unserved areas. GSMA supports the evolution of 3GPP standards, including Release 17, as a major milestone for non-terrestrial networks.
The introduction of NTN capabilities within the 3GPP framework enables satellite communications to integrate seamlessly with mobile networks, creating a unified standards-based foundation for global IoT services.
Syniverse enables seamless communication between terrestrial and NTN networks, empowering NB-IoT connectivity
T7 Diameter plays a vital role in how NB-IoT devices communicate across networks, especially as connectivity expands into NTN. Originally defined to support low-power, low-data IoT applications, T7 Diameter enables non-IP data delivery (NIDD), enabling small packets of information, such as sensor readings or device status updates, to be transmitted efficiently without the overhead of traditional Internet protocols.
This approach is ideal for NB-IoT devices that send compact, infrequent messages since it conserves battery life and minimizes energy use. As NTN coverage extends into regions where cellular networks are unavailable, T7 Diameter helps maintain consistent communication between satellite and terrestrial networks.
Most MNOs continue to rely on legacy MAP/H protocols for services like Short Message Service Center (SMSC), while many satellite operators use more modern core network elements such as Mobility Management Entity (MME). The Interface between these systems, facilitated through the T7 link, ensures that NB-IoT data can move smoothly between networks, regardless of their underlying architecture.
Syniverse enables these services through its standard roaming products, supporting T7 diameter and Syniverse Evolved Mobility®, which bridge the gap between modern and legacy network cores. By delivering robust interworking between core technologies such as SGd and MAP/H, Syniverse ensures seamless interoperability and roaming for IoT devices across diverse network environments. This helps operators and enterprises adapt to new connectivity models while preserving compatibility with established infrastructure.
Interoperability and roaming remain fundamental to scalable IoT services. GSMA continues to work with operators, vendors, and satellite providers to promote common frameworks that simplify roaming, device management, and service continuity across heterogeneous networks, helping reduce complexity for enterprises deploying IoT solutions globally.
As NB-IoT adoption grows, the relevance of T7 Diameter continues to rise, and Syniverse’s solutions empower IoT companies to benefit from low volumes, long device lifecycles, and dependable communications worldwide.
The convergence of NB-IoT and NTN redefines what it means to be connected
As NB-IoT continues to evolve through standards like 3GPP releases, the lines between terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity continue to disappear. The combination of wide area reach through NTN and efficient, low-power communication enabled by protocols like T7 diameter is laying the groundwork for a new era of global IoT coverage.
For IoT companies, this means they can design products that remain connected anywhere on the planet without changing how they communicate. For MNOs, this combination of technologies demonstrates new connectivity possibilities that extend their footprint. These developments are turning universal IoT access from a concept into reality, connecting devices and data wherever business and innovation demand it.
References:
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Barker, Sam. October 9, 2024. Juniper Research. “Direct-to-Cell Market: 2024-2029.” https://www.juniperresearch.com/research/telecoms-connectivity/network-connectivity/direct-to-cell-research-report/
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Sorrell, Steffen & Moar, James. April 2025. Kaleido Intelligence. https://kaleidointelligence.com/product/connectivity-data-hub-direct-to-satellite/
