Satellite IoT changes that. And in Europe at least, the regulatory path is now clearer than it has ever been.

What Satellite IoT Actually Does?

Most IoT connectivity today relies on terrestrial networks — LoRaWAN gateways, cellular networks or private networks. That can work well in cities and industrial zones where deployments of such networks are feasible in terms of economic point of view. Nonetheless, it doesn’t work in remote farmland, rural fields, open water, mountainous areas, or any of the other environments where monitoring matters most but coverage doesn’t reach.
Satellite IoT fills that gap with seamless coverage provided by LEO satellite networks. Using Low Power Device-to-Satellite (LPD-S) technology, IoT devices transmit their data directly to satellites in low Earth orbit, which store the messages and relay them to ground stations as they pass overhead. Devices themselves communicating with satellites are LoRaWAN-based standard and the same low-power sensors are used in terrestrial deployments.
The result is coverage that extends wherever a device can see the sky.

Europe Has Led the Way

The most significant recent development in satellite IoT regulation is ECC Decision (25)02, adopted at the 67th ECC meeting in Bled in June 2025. This decision harmonises the use of the 862–870 MHz band for satellite IoT communications across CEPT member countries, the same licence-exempt spectrum used by short-range devices (SRDs) on the ground. The framework is technically conservative by design. It establishes strict Power Flux Density (PFD) limits on satellite downlinks:

• In-band: −142 dBW/m² per 4 kHz within the 862–870 MHz band
• Out-of-band (OOBE): −146 dBW/m² per 1 MHz outside that range

Satellite operations under this framework must not cause harmful interference to terrestrial services, and cannot claim protection from them. It is a non-interference, non-protection model — satellite access on the same terms as any other user of licence-exempt spectrum.
Germany’s regulator BNetzA implemented this approach before the Decision was formally adopted. Denmark has since incorporated it into its licence-exempt framework. Türkiye has embedded it in its satellite frequency band plan. The EU’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) has acknowledged the model in its opinion on direct-to-device connectivity, referring to it as “IoT-NTN in SRD bands.”

How Does European LPD-S Regulation Compare to the D2D Frameworks of US and UK?

A natural question is whether the European framework is too cautious — or not cautious enough, relative to frameworks elsewhere.
We compared ECC Decision (25)02 against two other satellite connectivity frameworks: the FCC’s Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) rules in the United States, and Ofcom’s Direct-to-Device (D2D) framework in the United Kingdom. The comparison is instructive even though the contexts differ slightly — the FCC and Ofcom frameworks apply to licensed mobile spectrum (or IMT spectrum) for enabling D2D services, while ECC (25)02 applies to licence-exempt SRD bands. Nonetheless, they are in common for protecting services and applications operating in the same and adjacent bands. Additionally, OOBE PFD limits in ECC Decision (25)02 was developed to protect the IMT Networks operating in the adjacent bands.
The finding is clear: Europe’s LPD-S framework is substantially more stringent for protecting IMT Networks.

The OOBE limits adopted by both the FCC and Ofcom are approximately 26–27 dB less stringent than the ECC framework for protecting the same adjacent services. In-band limits fall within a narrow range of 1–5 dB of the European reference values for the worst-case scenarios. It should be noted that in-band PFD limits of D2D frameworks are developed to protect licensed services whereas in-band PFD limits of LPD-S framework was generated for protecting SRD applications that have more robust to work in a shared spectrum environment where interference continuously exists.
This matters for the next question: can the same technical approach be extended to other frequency bands?

The Case for Extending to 902–928 MHz

Not every country has the 862–870 MHz band available for licence-exempt use. In many jurisdictions outside Europe, the equivalent licence-exempt IoT spectrum is the 902–928 MHz band — widely used across the Americas, parts of Asia, and beyond.
The technical case for extending ECC Decision (25)02’s approach to this band is strong. SRD and ISM devices deployed globally are designed with harmonised receiver characteristics across both the 862–870 MHz and 902–928 MHz ranges, with only region-specific transmission adaptations. They are also inherently robust to interference, since they are designed for shared-spectrum environments.
Extending the ECC framework to 902–928 MHz would:

• Maintain protection for incumbent services
• Preserve national regulatory sovereignty
• Avoid introducing new interference risk
• Enable harmonised satellite IoT deployment across regions
In short: the same technical assumptions already validated in Europe would apply cleanly to devices operating in the 902–928 MHz band.

What About Licensed Spectrum?

Licence-exempt bands are not the only path. The 2 GHz MSS band (1980–2010 MHz / 2170–2200 MHz) is allocated to Mobile Satellite Services and supports 3GPP-based (NB-IoT) satellite connectivity — complementing cellular coverage with standards-based interoperability with 3GPP Release 17 and beyond compatible devices.
The challenge is that this spectrum is currently concentrated among a small number of operators, which limits competition and keeps costs high. Shared access arrangements, where multiple satellite IoT operators access a defined slice of the band on a non-exclusive basis , offer a practical solution.
Australia has already implemented this model: the last 5 MHz of the 2 GHz MSS band is shared among satellite operators providing narrowband or low-data-rate services, with a self-management regime for coexistence. The EU’s RSPG has included a similar option in its opinion on the use of the 1980–2010 / 2170–2200 MHz bands beyond 2027.
Reserving at minimum 2×5 MHz for shared satellite IoT use in this band would lower barriers to entry, promote competition, and prevent spectrum hoarding, without disrupting existing MSS allocations.

What Regulators Can Do?

The regulatory framework for satellite IoT in licence-exempt spectrum has advanced significantly. But uptake remains uneven across jurisdictions, and spectrum fragmentation risks limiting the cross-border applications — supply chain monitoring, maritime safety, disaster response — where satellite IoT delivers the clearest value.
The steps that would make the most practical difference:

1. Adopt ECC Decision (25)02 principles in jurisdictions where 862–870 MHz is available for licence-exempt use, applying the non-interference, non-protection framework.
2. Extend those principles to 902–928 MHz in jurisdictions where 862–870 MHz is not available, recognising that device characteristics and interference protection objectives are directly comparable.
3. Reserve shared 2 GHz MSS spectrum — at minimum 2×5 MHz — for satellite IoT on a non-exclusive basis, consistent with Australia’s model and RSPG recommendations.
4. Implement technology-neutral licensing frameworks that don’t create new barriers to entry or fragment spectrum access.
5. Promote international harmonisation to enable the cross-border deployments that create the most value.

The Technology Is Ready?

Smart meter monitoring in rural areas with no terrestrial coverage. Water level data from dams and irrigation channels. Asset tracking for vessels and heavy machinery beyond the range of any base station or coverage.
These are not future applications — they are operational today. The technology has been validated. The European regulatory framework has been established. The technical evidence for extending it is clear.
The remaining question is how quickly the rest of the world’s regulators will follow.

Once considered experimental tools for academia, small satellites are now the backbone of the New Space Economy, driving innovation, accessibility, and high reliability while maintaining cost-efficiency and agility. By 2026, the small satellite market is projected to reach $6.7 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 20%. This isn’t just growth; it’s a structural shift in how humanity utilizes orbit.

Key Factors Fueling the Growing Small Satellite Demand

Several strategic drivers are accelerating this shift from traditional satellites to agile small platforms:
• Faster Development Cycles: Traditional satellites often require 5–10 years to deploy. Small satellites can move from concept to orbit in under 24 months, enabling rapid technology refresh cycles and reducing the risk of “launching obsolete tech.”
• Lower Mission Costs: Miniaturization and rideshare launch opportunities have lowered the barrier to entry. This allows private enterprises and emerging space nations to build sovereign space capabilities without billion-dollar budgets.
• Constellation-Based Architectures: Moving away from single, vulnerable assets, the industry now favors Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations.
This approach ensures:
o Persistent Monitoring: Higher revisit frequencies (minutes instead of days).
o Resilience: If one satellite fails, the network remains operational.
o Scalability: Capacity can be added incrementally as demand grows.

Strategic Importance and Emerging Trends in 2026

Much like mobile phones shrunk to extremes before expanding back to a ‘sweet spot’ that balances portability with high-performance screens and batteries, the new space industry is shifting from the limitations of cubesats back toward the micro (10-100kg) and mini (100-500kg) satellite classes. This re-optimization provides the ideal physical volume to house advanced optical payloads, high-gain antennas, and robust power systems that smaller form factors simply cannot sustain. As we look toward 2030, several strategic themes define the next phase of small satellite competition.

• Sovereign Space Systems: Governments are shifting from buying third-party services to owning their own sovereign satellite infrastructures. This ensures data security and operational autonomy in an increasingly contested global landscape.
• Edge Computing & AI Integration: Modern small satellites are no longer just “data pipes.” They are becoming orbiting data centers. By processing data in-orbit using AI, they can send only the most critical “actionable intelligence” to the ground, drastically reducing latency.
• High-Performance Payload Demands: Today’s mission-critical payloads (such as ultra high-resolution optical sensors and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)) require significant power budgets and high-speed data downlinks that only micro and mini platforms can reliably provide.
• Mission Reliability & Longevity: As industry matures, the focus has shifted from “experimental” to “operational.” The micro/mini class allows for the redundancy and sophisticated thermal management necessary to ensure a 5-to-7-year mission lifespan in harsh orbital environments.

Our Role in the Small Satellite Revolution: The Plan-S Advantage

As a leading new space company, Plan-S is not just participating in this transformation; we are leading it. Our competitive advantage lies in our vertically integrated model. We bridge the gap between complex engineering and end-user applications by handling everything from design to data delivery in-house.
To meet the rigorous demands of the new space market, we have developed modular product families that serves as a high-performance foundation for any mission:
• MicroCore Platform Family (Microsatellite Segment): A highly adaptable architecture with high reliability and optimized cost. MicroCore family is optimized for mass production and rapid constellation deployment, making it the ideal choice for earth observation, RF signals intelligence and network-based applications.
• MiniCore Platform Family (Minisatellite Segment): Built for high-performance and critical missions. MiniCore supports advanced payloads such as SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), ultra high-resolution optical imagers and high throughput communication payloads featuring enhanced edge computing and power budgets for data-heavy applications.

Beyond Manufacturing: End-to-End Space Services

At Plan-S, we believe the future of space is about outcomes, not just hardware. Our “Space Services” line covers the full mission lifecycle including but not limited to:
• Mission Concept & Systems Engineering
• Satellite Manufacturing
• Integration, Testing, and Launch Coordination
• In-Orbit Operations & Ground Segment Integration
• Data Services & Actionable Insights
This approach allows our partners to focus on their core business while we handle the complexities of space.

Building Smarter Space Systems for Tomorrow

The rise of small satellites signals a more democratic and distributed space economy. Space is no longer a luxury, it is a critical infrastructure for connectivity, environmental intelligence, and global security. With our modular platforms, rapid manufacturing capabilities, and vision for a more connected world, Plan-S is powering the services that operate on a truly global scale.

The panel emphasized best practices in satellite licensing, the critical role of standards-based satellite solutions, and the importance of spectrum identification in supporting emerging technologies such as IoT, D2D, and more. It also highlighted the need for enabling regulatory frameworks to achieve meaningful connectivity, bringing access anywhere, under any circumstances.

We extend our thanks to the Asia Pacific Telecommunity for hosting such an important event, to GSOA and to the fellow speakers for their valuable insights, and to all attendees for their engagement.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined our session and shared this unforgettable experience with us.

We can’t wait to continue the journey and meet again at IAC2026 in Türkiye, where new collaborations will take flight! 

We were especially pleased to see strong interest in how satellite technology is driving smarter, data-driven solutions across diverse industries.

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, shared their insights, and joined us in exploring what’s next. Together, we’re shaping a new era of connectivity and intelligence.

Throughout the week, we met inspiring innovators, exchanged ideas with global partners, and explored the future of space together. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with leaders shaping the next era of our industry.

We extend our appreciation to everyone we connected with during the event, as well as to the Dubai Airshow organizers.

Throughout the event, our team had the opportunity to meet with regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, and international partners. These discussions were highly productive and provided valuable insights into how next generation connectivity solutions can support global development goals.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone we met during the conference and to the International Telecommunication Union for hosting such an impactful gathering.

The Türkiye-based startup completed the launch after carrying out the entire process in-house, including satellite design, testing, production and integration. With the addition of the four new satellites, Plan-S aims to expand the capacity of its satellite-based IoT services offered under the Connecta brand and further enhance its competitiveness in the global market.

Aligned with National Space Program Goals

Operating in line with Türkiye’s National Space Program, Plan-S continues to develop satellite subsystems and ground systems using domestic resources.
The company provides global IoT communication services through its Connecta brand, while offering space-based data analytics services under the Observa brand. All technological infrastructure required for these services is produced domestically.

As part of its international growth strategy, Plan-S has accelerated licensing and authorization efforts abroad. Plan-S has already completed licensing processes in Türkiye, Australia, Sweden and Denmark, while negotiations are ongoing for market access in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Pakistan.

Plan-S has also signed a cooperation agreement with Türk Telekom to provide satellite-based IoT services integrated with the telecom operator’s infrastructure in Türkiye.

Plan-S CEO Ozdemir Gumusay said the company’s domestically developed technologies enable it to respond rapidly to market needs, supporting its ambition to scale globally.

Our Satellite IoT Product Manager, Bahadır Alp Çakır, will join the panel “Türkiye’s Digital Transformation with Satellite IoT: Integrating Terrestrial and Satellite Networks and the Future Vision” as a panelist. Join us at Frexİst 2026 to explore how satellite IoT can complement terrestrial communications infrastructure, and what’s next.

The collaboration aims to productize and manage Connecta’s satellite IoT services end-to-end according to Türk Telekom’s standards. A core network software infrastructure to be established within Türk Telekom will enable the company to conduct customer, device, and data management operations within its own systems. By offering satellite IoT connectivity services under its own brand, Türk Telekom will provide a seamless, integrated, and single-point user experience.

IoT Continuity: Terrestrial Network Power, Satellite-Complemented Coverage

Satellite IoT communication serves as a complementary connectivity layer for field operations and low-power IoT solutions, such as in energy, agriculture, logistics, smart infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications, where terrestrial network coverage can be limited. With this collaboration, Türk Telekom aims to enhance connectivity continuity in the field by adding satellite communication capabilities to its existing terrestrial network expertise. This integration unifies different access options under a single operational model, aiming to streamline installation, management, and service continuity processes.

A Powerful Step for the Ecosystem on a Global Scale

The collaboration between Plan-S and Türk Telekom presents a notable model not only for the Turkish market but also on a global scale, due to its approach of end-to-end integration between a satellite IoT operator and a mobile operator, coupled with branded service delivery. This agreement marks a significant milestone for the IoT ecosystem, accelerating scalable business models and supporting widespread adoption.

Plan-S’s CEO, Özdemir Gümüşay: “Our collaboration with Türk Telekom creates a strong foundation for delivering satellite IoT connectivity services on an enterprise scale, meeting mobile operator standards, and providing an integrated service experience. By bringing together hardware, satellite communication, and operational layers in this end-to-end integrated service, we are implementing a model that will set an example on a global scale.”