According to SpaceNews, Luxembourg-based OQ Technology announced on December 17 that it successfully connected a commercial, off-the-shelf IoT chipset directly to one of its low Earth orbit satellites. The test used an unmodified nRF9151 cellular module from Nordic Semiconductor, which is a common part in tracking sensors. This is the same module used in a similar demo by Spain’s Sateliot back in October. OQ’s CEO, Omar Qaise, says their internally developed software, based on 3GPP mobile standards, allows this connection without hardware mods or software updates. The company, which has already deployed 10 small satellites, is providing commercial IoT connectivity now and plans to add 30 more satellites next year. Their goal is to have about 100 satellites in three years to expand into direct-to-device text and voice services.
Why this isn’t just another test
Look, we’ve seen satellite IoT demos before. But here’s the thing: using a completely standard, mass-produced chip is the difference between a science project and a scalable business. It means the hardware ecosystem that’s already building millions of terrestrial IoT devices can now, in theory, build for satellite connectivity too. No custom ASICs, no weird antennas—just the same module you’d buy for a truck tracker. OQ’s angle is that their “vertical integration” of the software stack cuts cost and complexity. Basically, they handle the space magic so device makers don’t have to.
The stakeholder shakeup
So who wins? First, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). They can design a product once and have it work on cellular networks and satellite networks through roaming deals. That’s huge for global asset tracking, agriculture, and environmental monitoring in areas with spotty coverage. For enterprises like their customer Aramco, it means they can deploy a single type of sensor across vast, remote industrial sites. And let’s not forget mobile network operators. This gives them a path to offer “everywhere” coverage without building a single tower in the desert or ocean. It’s a roaming partnership waiting to happen.
The broader direct-to-device race
Now, this test was for low-power IoT, but OQ is clearly aiming bigger. They already sent an emergency message to an unmodified smartphone last month. Their planned constellation growth is all about enabling those broader D2D services: first text, then maybe voice. They’re positioning themselves as a European-controlled alternative in a market dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink and AST SpaceMobile. But I think the real story here is the infrastructure layer. Proving that standard 3GPP chips can talk to LEO satellites is a foundational step. It’s what makes the dream of a truly connected planet—where every sensor, meter, and industrial panel PC from the leading US suppliers can report in from anywhere—technically plausible and, crucially, economically viable.
