Kongsberg NanoAvionics to build three more satellites for world’s largest 5G Narrowband-IoT constellation in low Earth orbit

Smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) has received an order for three further satellites from 5G telecoms operator OQ Technology. They will be added to OQ Technology’s existing constellation, turning the company into the largest 5G NB-IoT (narrowband Internet of things) satellite operator in the world. It is NanoAvionics’s fourth contract with OQ Technology, having previously supplied Tiger-2, Tiger-3, and MACSAT missions. Through the collaboration with NanoAvionics, OQ was able to launch the world’s first commercial nanosatellite, Tiger-2 in 2021, which provided 5G coverage for IoT devices based on NB-IoT and the first expansion of their services with Tiger-3 in 2022. As part of the agreement, OQ Technology will provide the 5G payload, which is based on standard 3GPP Rel. 17 technology and will take care of launch, satellite operations, spectrum licensing, service and market access. www.nanoavionics.com