Finland-based Bittium is continuing its collaboration with Canadian mobile satellite operator Terrestar to develop a standards-based 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) that enables direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity.

The collaboration focuses on developing the first-generation of standard NTN telecom services that bring NB-IoT capabilities to smartphones.

Standard smartphones will be able to connect directly to satellites for services such as SMS, chat, voice and email, delivering mobile functionality in remote and underserved areas. First showcased at Mobile World Congress 2025, it marks a milestone in Terrestar’s vision to extend mobile service where traditional infrastructure ends. The value of the development services awarded to Bittium is approximately €2m.

It supports the emergence of satellite as the third mode of mobile access, alongside terrestrial towers and wifi. This aligns with Terrestar’s broader roadmap to deliver seamless, secure and standards-aligned mobile services through hybrid satellite-terrestrial architectures. Bittium contributes expertise in wireless hardware and software for performance, efficiency and compact design.

“We are proud to continue successful cooperation as a main development partner,“ said Jari Inget, vice president for engineering services at Bittium. “Bittium has a long history of developing satellite user devices for most demanding environments.”

Jacques Leduc, president of Terrestar, added: “This collaboration is a key step in delivering on our commitment to make mobile connectivity truly ubiquitous. Satellite is becoming the third mode of mobile access, and our open network model ensures that terrestrial operators can extend their coverage, without giving up spectrum. Our Sat Companion device acts as a bridge enabling everyone to stay connected, everywhere and with everything, complementing both current and future NTN-capable devices from major manufacturers.”

Looking ahead, Terrestar and Bittium will continue joint testing and integration through 2025, with pilot deployments planned in collaboration with mobile network operators. This effort complements Terrestar’s broader roadmap, including the planned launch of a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation designed to enable mobile coverage across Canada, Europe and the Arctic. Terrestar’s network is architected to land traffic within sovereign jurisdictions, providing a standards-based, secure alternative for governments and operators seeking control over data routing and infrastructure.

With over 40 years of experience in secure wireless technology, Bittium (www.bittium.com) provides product development services for secure wireless devices. Its net sales in 2024 were €85.2m and operating profit €8.6m.

Terrestar (www.terrestarsolutions.ca) says it is the only Canadian mobile satellite operator engaged in the race to bring direct-to-mobile satellite services to smartphones and IoT devices and make anywhere-in-Canada communication a reality. Thanks to the Echostar T1 satellite, its ground network infrastructure and 40MHz of S-band mobile-satellite spectrum, Terrestar connects Canadians from almost anywhere in the country, even in the most remote regions, through its Strigo mobile-satellite service.