emirates7 - Space42 has announced a successful collaboration between its mobile satellite services arm, Thuraya, and Danish software firm Gatehouse Satcom, which specializes in mission-critical satellite communications, to push forward direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.
The project showcased Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) applications over Space42’s L-band geostationary satellites using 3GPP Release 17-compliant technology. This ensures compatibility with international standards and supports future expansion. The effort paves the way for the upcoming launch of Thuraya Direct, a new messaging and IoT service expected to go commercial in Q4 2025.
This initiative highlights Space42’s strategic model: adopt emerging open-standard technologies early, scale them through purpose-driven programs, and deliver results via strong partnerships. It targets key industries such as energy, agriculture, and transportation—areas where dependable, wide-reaching connectivity is essential but not always possible through terrestrial networks alone.
Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, stated, “This partnership is our strategy in motion—pushing mobile connectivity boundaries by enabling everyday smartphones and IoT devices to connect via satellite in places where cellular networks are unreliable. By working closely with telecom partners, we’re meeting current market needs and proving this technology’s potential while laying the groundwork for wider D2D adoption through our future global satellite constellation. We invite ecosystem partners to help scale this frontier.”
Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom, added, “It’s been an honour to support Space42 in turning direct-to-device from concept to reality. Running 5G NB-IoT over GEO satellites is complex, but our software is built for this—flexible across different satellite systems, globally standards-compliant, and prepared for the next generation of non-terrestrial networks.”
For more than 20 years, Thuraya has been at the forefront of satellite mobility, offering reliable connectivity in some of the most challenging environments.
As the mobile satellite arm of Space42, Thuraya continues to redefine the possibilities of satellite-powered services. Gatehouse Satcom brought crucial expertise in 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and software that enabled the successful testing of messaging protocols over geostationary satellites—a crucial milestone for Thuraya Direct.
The collaboration has proven that 3GPP-compliant smartphones and IoT devices can connect smoothly with Space42’s satellite infrastructure.
This validation confirms that Thuraya Direct will operate on globally standardised infrastructure, allowing telecom and device partners to integrate seamlessly with the system.
With commercial deployment set for late 2025, Space42 is now working with mobile operators and industry stakeholders to introduce this service to the market.
The project showcased Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) applications over Space42’s L-band geostationary satellites using 3GPP Release 17-compliant technology. This ensures compatibility with international standards and supports future expansion. The effort paves the way for the upcoming launch of Thuraya Direct, a new messaging and IoT service expected to go commercial in Q4 2025.
This initiative highlights Space42’s strategic model: adopt emerging open-standard technologies early, scale them through purpose-driven programs, and deliver results via strong partnerships. It targets key industries such as energy, agriculture, and transportation—areas where dependable, wide-reaching connectivity is essential but not always possible through terrestrial networks alone.
Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, stated, “This partnership is our strategy in motion—pushing mobile connectivity boundaries by enabling everyday smartphones and IoT devices to connect via satellite in places where cellular networks are unreliable. By working closely with telecom partners, we’re meeting current market needs and proving this technology’s potential while laying the groundwork for wider D2D adoption through our future global satellite constellation. We invite ecosystem partners to help scale this frontier.”
Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom, added, “It’s been an honour to support Space42 in turning direct-to-device from concept to reality. Running 5G NB-IoT over GEO satellites is complex, but our software is built for this—flexible across different satellite systems, globally standards-compliant, and prepared for the next generation of non-terrestrial networks.”
For more than 20 years, Thuraya has been at the forefront of satellite mobility, offering reliable connectivity in some of the most challenging environments.
As the mobile satellite arm of Space42, Thuraya continues to redefine the possibilities of satellite-powered services. Gatehouse Satcom brought crucial expertise in 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and software that enabled the successful testing of messaging protocols over geostationary satellites—a crucial milestone for Thuraya Direct.
The collaboration has proven that 3GPP-compliant smartphones and IoT devices can connect smoothly with Space42’s satellite infrastructure.
This validation confirms that Thuraya Direct will operate on globally standardised infrastructure, allowing telecom and device partners to integrate seamlessly with the system.
With commercial deployment set for late 2025, Space42 is now working with mobile operators and industry stakeholders to introduce this service to the market.