Omnispace and Lacuna Demonstrate NGSO IoT Satellite Connectivity

Photo: Omnispace

Omnispace, working with Viasat and Lacuna Space, demonstrated an open standards-based IoT service which the company says could lead to a range of IoT and direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services. The demonstration took place last week at The Things Conference in Amsterdam. 

Omnispace and Lacuna Space have an existing agreement announced a year and a half ago to distribute a global, open standards-based IoT network. Omnispace described it is a low-power, ubiquitous, global connectivity geared toward a range of IoT devices and markets. It utilizes the LoRaWAN communications protocol. Over the past year, Omnispace and Lacuna Space have tested the technology using Omnispace’s existing network assets outside of Europe.   

“Omnispace serves a worldwide IoT market and, with our satellite and ground infrastructure partners, have a vision to deliver seamless direct-to-device terrestrial and satellite IoT connectivity to a variety of global applications and industries,” said Jay Yass, chief corporate development and strategy officer of Omnispace. 

Yaas recently talked about Omnispace’s plans at World Satellite Business Week, sharing that the company recently finished a study with a major manufacturer for the design and architecture of an NGSO constellation. He described it as an Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) system for 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity on a global basis, using mid-band, licensed spectrum. He hinted that Omnispace will announce technology providers. 

Viasat’s Mike Kreller, senior vice president of strategic initiatives, commented that Viasat sees an “unprecedented opportunity” for massive IoT, direct-to-device and other 5G and 6G applications via satellite. “Collaborative trials like this are an important step to create an ecosystem of partners,” Kreller said.