OQ Technology successfully launched their new, LEO satellite — Tiger-4 — on board the SpaceX Transporter-8 rideshare mission — this state-of-the-art satellite further strengthens OQ Technology’s satellite network, bringing the company one step closer to achieving global coverage for the firm’s 5G NB-IoT services.
The launch took place on June 12th, 2023, and the satellite signal was detected and acquired by the Vilnius ground station the next day. The satellite is currently operating nominally.
OQ Technology made a major announcement earlier this year, detailing its goal of expanding its constellation of LEO satellites from three to ten. The company is now well on track to achieving this objective, with the successful launch of the Tiger-4 satellite representing a significant milestone in OQ’s mission to provide ubiquitous coverage of 5G NB-IoT connectivity to government and enterprise clients on a global scale.
The new satellite has been designed with standard 5G NTN protocol considerations to support seamless integration and interoperability within terrestrial IoT ecosystems as set by 3GPP. It provides valuable solutions for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with reliable solutions for critical IoT applications.
The importance of 5G technology in satellite IoT (Internet of Things) lies in its ability to provide high-speed, reliable, and low-latency connectivity to a wide range of devices, including those in remote and difficult-to-reach locations.
In satellite IoT, 5G technology enables the integration of satellite networks with terrestrial networks, creating a seamless and unified network that can support a wide range of applications, including smart agriculture, pipeline monitoring, transportation tracking, and much more.
Moreover, 5G technology enables satellite IoT devices to operate in challenging environments, such as harsh weather conditions, remote locations, or disaster areas, where traditional communication networks may not be available.
Overall, 5G technology in satellite IoT can provide significant commercial benefits for businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals by enabling the creation of a connected and intelligent world that is more efficient, secure, and sustainable.
Tiger-4 will unlock a vast array of IoT solutions that have been specifically designed for land, maritime, and aerospace applications.
“We are proud and delighted to announce the successful launch of our new Tiger-4 satellite. The advanced features and technologies of the satellite are a testament to the skill, commitment, and expertise built up within our team. Tiger-4 showcases the cutting-edge engineering and technical capabilities we now possess, enabling us to design and build world-class space technologies. This satellite brings OQ a step closer to having a comprehensive network supporting our commercial growth plans.”
— Omar Qaise, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, OQ Technology
OQ Technology is the world’s first satellite 5G IoT operator that provides global cellular Internet-of-Things and Machine-to-Machine communication solutions through satellites. The company has successfully implemented and demonstrated Narrowband IoT connectivity over Low Earth Orbit satellites and is deploying a global constellation to provide 5G IoT telecommunication services for mobile operators and customers in industries such as energy, mining, logistics, maritime, agriculture, and defense. The company’s patented technology that can be easily embedded in existing 5G chips allows billions of users around the world to have ubiquitous IoT connectivity anywhere and using both terrestrial and satellite networks.