Sateliot, the leading operator in 5G IoT satellite telecommunications, has inaugurated in Barcelona the first European 5G Satellite Development Center. The new facility marks the beginning of its industrial phase and reinforces, through a tangible project, Europe’s leadership and technological sovereignty in 5G IoT connectivity from space. It has also driven the creation of over 50 highly skilled jobs, leading Sateliot to double its workforce in the last year.
Located at the company’s new headquarters in the heart of Barcelona, it is the first center in Europe dedicated to the design, development, and verification of 5G satellites under common standards for all mobile operators (3GPP). Its launch represents a significant economic, technological, and talent boost for Catalonia and Spain, establishing them as a global reference point for the New Space sector.
The inauguration was attended by Mr. Salvador Illa, President of the Government of Catalonia; Mr. Javier López, Vice President of the European Parliament; Mr. Carlos Prieto Gómez, Spanish Government Delegate in Catalonia; and Mr. Juan Carlos Cortés, Director of the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), among other authorities—demonstrating the institutional support from Catalonia, Spain, and Brussels for this project.
This institutional backing underscores the strategic importance of a proven initiative that enhances Europe’s technological autonomy in critical areas such as security, defense, and communications. Just one month ago, Sateliot achieved a historic milestone by demonstrating the world’s first direct 5G-IoT connection from space with standard IoT devices.
A new generation of satellites
The center, which includes, among other facilities, a 100 m² clean room, a mission control room, and a laboratory, will be the site where the prototype of Sateliot’s new generation of satellites—named Tritó, in homage to the Montseny newt, an amphibian species endemic to Catalonia—is being designed. The name is a tribute to technology that is 100% made in Barcelona.
These new satellites, measuring nearly four meters in length and weighing 150 kilograms, represent a qualitative leap in capacity and performance thanks to the increased operational power of their payloads. They will not only provide connectivity for IoT devices but will also support mobile phones with data, voice, and video services. In addition, they feature dual-use capability, enabling the deployment of critical applications in security, civil protection, and defense.
Backed by investors
Sateliot’s core group of shareholders—comprising the Government of Spain (through Sepides and the Spanish Technological Transformation Society, SETT), Indra, Cellnex, Global Portfolio Investments, and Hyperion Fund—is fully aligned with the company’s management and growth plans.
Sateliot’s business plan aims to reach €1 billion in revenue by 2030. The commercial phase will begin in 2026, targeting the first 500 clients and accelerating expansion through mobile operators that will integrate satellite roaming. The company has already launched six satellites into orbit—the latest four in August 2024—and plans to launch another five in 2026.
According to Sateliot CEO Jaume Sanpera, “Today we inaugurate a new chapter in our company’s history. A chapter in which Catalonia, Spain, and Europe demonstrate their alignment to lead 5G connectivity from space—with proprietary technology and global ambition. A chapter we face with a clear course marked by 3GPP standards, full integration with mobile operators, global coverage, and services that work seamlessly whether in the port of Rotterdam, the Pyrenees, or the middle of the Atlantic—and most importantly, in real time.”
