Nordic Semiconductor and OQ Technology enable NTN LEO satellite IoT connectivity
Successful NB-IoT link from Nordic’s compact nRF9151 module to OQ Technology’s LEO satellite network highlights path to truly global IoT coverage!
Nordic Semiconductor and OQ Technology have demonstrated a new milestone for non-terrestrial network (NTN) IoT: a successful, end-to-end NB-IoT data transmission from Nordic’s low-power nRF9151 cellular IoT module directly to OQ Technology’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
For device makers and solution providers in the Think WIOT community, the message is clear: standard, mass-market cellular IoT hardware can now extend beyond terrestrial coverage into space-based NTN networks—without redesigning devices from scratch.
Mass-market module, global NTN reach
In the trial, the commercially available nRF9151 module ran Nordic’s standard cellular IoT software stack while connecting over OQ Technology’s fully integrated, 3GPP-compliant NTN NB-IoT radio access network and 5G core.
The setup proves that a compact, low-power, off-the-shelf module can communicate directly with LEO satellites, paving the way for IoT devices that work seamlessly wherever they are deployed.
“Customers are looking for a single solution that works everywhere, including beyond terrestrial coverage,” explains Kristian Sæther, Senior Product Director, Long-Range Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor.
By enabling the nRF9151 module to connect directly to OQ’s satellite network, developers can extend coverage using existing hardware designs, reducing integration effort and overall deployment cost.
From LTE-M/NB-IoT to NTN – one design, more coverage
The nRF9151 module is a highly integrated, low-power cellular IoT solution that supports LTE-M and NB-IoT with global band coverage in a compact footprint. Its combination of long battery life and industrial-grade performance makes it suitable for asset tracking, smart metering, industrial monitoring, smart city installations, and critical infrastructure.
Building on this foundation, the module has now:
Achieved certification with two leading GEO satellite network providers
Completed successful testing with multiple LEO satellite constellations, including OQ Technology
These steps underline the module’s capability to extend existing cellular IoT designs into NTN scenarios, enabling connectivity across different satellite network providers and implementations.
3GPP-compliant NTN, ready for scale
“This result is the outcome of close collaboration between Nordic and OQ Technology,” says Omar Qaise, Founder & CEO of OQ Technology.
According to Qaise, Nordic’s module and software, combined with OQ’s vertically integrated, in-house developed 3GPP NTN RAN stack, show that standard NB-IoT devices can connect to satellite networks at scale. This is seen as a key step towards mass-market NTN adoption across sensors, trackers, and industrial equipment.
New IoT use cases beyond terrestrial coverage
The combination of low-power cellular IoT hardware with standardized satellite NTN infrastructure opens a range of new scenarios for the Think WIoT ecosystem:
Asset tracking and logistics in remote regions without terrestrial coverage
Smart agriculture and environmental monitoring in rural or maritime areas
Critical infrastructure and energy applications requiring resilient backup connectivity
Industrial IoT and smart metering where dense terrestrial networks are unavailable or economically unfeasible
Nordic Semiconductor and OQ Technology plan to continue their collaboration to support mobile network operators, developers, OEMs, and enterprises as they design and deploy the next generation of NTN-enabled IoT devices. Leveraging standard NB-IoT technology, the goal is straightforward: global, reliable, and cost-effective coverage, on the ground and beyond.
This press release is based on a news article from Nordic Semiconductor: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2025/12/Nordic-and-OQ-Technology-demonstrate-direct-NTN-LEO-satellite-connectivity