Rohde & Schwarz has achieved full coverage of Skylo's comprehensive test plan for Narrowband-IoT devices operating in Non-Terrestrial Networks, unlocking satellite-based SMS services and pushing always-on connectivity closer to reality for smartphones, wearables, and IoT devices.
Staying connected outside the reach of terrestrial cell towers has been one of the enduring challenges for the mobile industry. Rohde & Schwarz and Skylo Technologies have now taken a meaningful step toward solving that problem. The two companies have successfully verified and validated every test case defined in Skylo's network operator acceptance criteria, including newly added test cases for SMS over NB-NTN, using the advanced CMW500 wideband radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz.
Caption: Rohde & Schwarz achieves full coverage of Skylo's test plan for NB-NTN devices using the advanced CMW500
This milestone carries real weight for the industry. Skylo operates as a global Non-Terrestrial Network service provider, leveraging dedicated satellite spectrum across multiple partner constellations. Its network allows standard smartphone and IoT cellular devices to connect directly to existing satellites without requiring specialized hardware or bulky antennas. For device manufacturers, passing Skylo's certification process is a critical gate before commercial launch, as it confirms that a product meets the stringent performance and reliability standards necessary for reliable satellite communication.
The addition of SMS over NB-NTN validation is particularly significant. Until now, satellite connectivity on consumer devices has largely been limited to one-way emergency alerts or basic location sharing. Verified two-way messaging changes the equation. Users of smartphones and wearables will be able to rely on text-based communication regardless of where they are, whether that is a remote hiking trail, an offshore vessel, or a rural community with no terrestrial network infrastructure. For emergency services, logistics companies, and anyone operating beyond the grid, this capability fills a gap that traditional cellular networks were never designed to cover.
The CMW500 platform from Rohde & Schwarz played a central role in making this certification possible. As a widely adopted radio communication tester, it provides the precision and flexibility needed to simulate satellite network conditions in a controlled lab environment. Device manufacturers can use it to validate NB-NTN functionality during the development cycle rather than relying on expensive and time-consuming field tests with live satellites. This reduces both time to market and development costs, two factors that have historically slowed the adoption of satellite-enabled consumer devices.
The broader context matters here. The mobile industry has been racing to integrate satellite connectivity into mainstream devices since Apple introduced Emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone and Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon Satellite platform. What differentiates the Skylo approach is its focus on standards-based NB-IoT technology, which allows existing cellular modems to communicate with satellites using protocols already familiar to chipset makers and device manufacturers. That lowers the barrier to entry significantly compared to proprietary satellite communication systems.
For more information on NTN test solutions from Rohde & Schwarz, visit: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/_256719.html
Europe (headquarters): Christian Mokry (phone: +49 89 4129 13052; email: [email protected])
North America: Dominique Loberg (phone: +1 503 523-7951; email: [email protected])
Asia Pacific: Sze Ming Ng (phone: +603 5569 0011; email: [email protected])
Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.93 billion in the 2023/2024 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2024, Rohde & Schwarz had around 14,400 employees worldwide.
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Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc.
6821 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
Loberg Dominique
Phone: +1-503-523-7951
[email protected]