On the eve of the IOT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona, Eutelsat Communications announces the launch of a pioneering satellite-based IoT connectivity service: Eutelsat IoT FIRST.

Having recently unveiled its ELO constellation of nanosatellites in Low Earth Orbit, dedicated to the Internet of Things, Eutelsat has taken further steps towards its ambition to become a leading satellite IoT company through the launch of Eutelsat IoT FIRST: a fully integrated IoT connectivity service operating in Ku-band via Eutelsat’s geostationary satellites. Targeted companies include selected satellite service providers, telecom operators and IoT service providers. At a price point proposed on a par with cellular-based IoT connectivity services, Eutelsat IoT FIRST integrates satellite terminals, space and ground segments, packaged within an API-based service delivery framework.

With this product, Eutelsat is further addressing the connectivity challenges of industries spanning across retail, banking and security, through to energy, mining and agriculture, which seek a cost-effective and reliable IoT solution to connect their fixed assets, irrespective of their location. Eutelsat IoT FIRST also acts as an IoT backhaul service, enabling telecom operators to connect IoT base stations and gateways to their core network. Focusing currently on treating fixed assets, as of next year Eutelsat will then expand its portfolio of IoT services to incorporate the connectivity of mobile assets.

The ground infrastructure designed to serve Eutelsat IoT FIRST consists of a network of IoT-specific hubs hosted at teleports across the globe. These hubs are monitored and controlled 24/7 by Eutelsat’s service delivery team from Turin, Italy.

Luis Jimenez-Tunon, Group Executive Vice President Data Business of Eutelsat “The reliability and boundless reach that satellite offers means that it will have an integral role in the IoT sector and in this regard, I am delighted to launch “Eutelsat IoT FIRST”, named in the honour of this service being a pioneer of its kind and Eutelsat’s inaugural solution in its ambitious IoT roadmap.”