Spanish Satellite Startup Sateliot Aims to Raise €150 Million for 5G from Orbit
Sateliot, a Barcelona-based satellite startup, is seeking up to €150 million ($172 million) to beam 5G directly to smartphones from orbit by 2028. This represents a 50% increase from their previous €100 million round in April.
Plans and Partnerships
The company intends to deploy 16 additional satellites next year and introduce larger ones capable of supporting direct smartphone connectivity in the coming years. They partner with Telefonica on technology for direct-to-device links and have agreements with other network operators to provide coverage in remote areas.
“A new opportunity has emerged: integrating 5G within a satellite.” – Jaume Sanpera, CEO of Sateliot (as quoted by Bloomberg)
European Focus and Competition
Sateliot’s raise comes as Europe increases investments in satellites to avoid dependence on Elon Musk’s Starlink. The EU is reserving spectrum for European players, including Sateliot.
Globally, the satellite connectivity race intensifies with competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Vodafone/AST SpaceMobile’s Satellite Connect Europe venture. However, Sateliot targets a specific niche by focusing on direct-to-device service while existing constellations, such as IRIS², prioritize broadband.
Market Potential and Impact
With Starlink raising prices as it expands, a European alternative that works directly with existing phones and carriers could attract operators unwilling to route customers through a Musk-controlled network.