Washington DC-based mobile communications company Omnispace is working with UK firm Lacuna Space to deliver a global satellite IoT service based on LoRaWan.

The collaboration will enable the commercial launch of a global, open standards-based IoT network. The service will employ the LoRaWan protocol to support direct-to-satellite communications for a broad range of IoT devices.

The protocol will use LR-FHSS technology designed for high-capacity IoT networks with on-orbit operation validated by Lacuna through several years of non-geostationary satellite testing and optimisation. Leveraging Omnispace’s licensed, 2GHz S-band spectrum rights, and integrating Omnispace and Lacuna infrastructure, the service will allow devices to connect seamlessly between existing terrestrial networks and previously unconnected regions around the globe.

“Omnispace is reimagining mobile communications for users by employing standards-based solutions to deliver global, real-time connectivity,” said Ram Viswanathan, CEO of Omnispace. “We’re pleased to be working with Lacuna to introduce this new enterprise-class service, which is part of our broader vision to deliver seamless terrestrial and satellite communications.”

This joint effort will begin serving customers and distribution partners in autumn this year, powering asset tracking, fleet management and data collection across industries globally. The two companies will leverage the LoRaWan standard that is capable of bridging terrestrial networks with worldwide satellite coverage to offer low power ubiquitous connectivity. The initial set of Lacuna sensors are smaller than the palm of a hand and can connect over satellite for several years off a single battery charge, providing users with affordable and simplified communications.

“We are happy to announce this agreement with Omnispace which accelerates getting our technology to market and enables us to start delivering our IoT services around the globe,” said Rob Spurrett, CEO of Lacuna. “Our customers will be able to access Lacuna’s IoT service directly from inexpensive, battery-powered LoRa devices to extend connectivity to even the most remote areas of the world.”

Founded by veteran telecommunications and satellite industry executives, Omnispace is leveraging 5G technologies and combining the global footprint of a non-geostationary satellite constellation with the mobile networks of telecom companies to bring interoperable one network connectivity to users and IoT devices anywhere on the globe.

Lacuna Space, a UK and Dutch entity, headquartered in Oxford, UK, specialises in scalable direct-to-satellite IoT based on LoRaWan. The network enables multiple constellations of Lacuna and third-party satellites to meld together, forming a robust and field-proven IoT service. Operating a wholesale model, Lacuna says it empowers service providers and systems integrators to extend the limited coverage footprint of LoRaWans around the globe with ubiquitous low-power, low-cost connectivity.