This authorisation is the first of its kind granted to a LEO satellite operator in Türkiye.
Connecta Communication Services Inc., a subsidiary of Plan-S, has become the first company in Türkiye to receive authorisation from the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to provide satellite-based communication services. These services will be delivered through the Connecta IoT Network, an in-house designed and manufactured system with more than 90% of its sub-systems developed domestically. The milestone positions Plan-S as a leader in Türkiye’s rapidly growing space and satellite communications sector and marks the country’s debut in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operator domain.
Since its establishment in 2021, Plan-S has launched 17 satellites, managing every phase of satellite production internally, from design and manufacturing to integration and testing. The company’s Connecta IoT Network currently operates 12 satellites, with plans to expand the constellation to 200 in the coming years, enabling global coverage and enhanced communication capacity. Under the new authorisation, Connecta will provide satellite-based IoT (Internet of Things) communication services across Türkiye, strengthening the nation’s presence in next-generation connectivity.
This development opens new possibilities for IoT applications in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, logistics, mining, water management and disaster response, particularly in areas underserved by terrestrial networks. The Connecta IoT Network leverages LoRaWAN-based technology, offering low-power, scalable, secure, and cost-effective connectivity suitable for both stationary and mobile use casesfrom offshore operations to remote rural regions.
In a major technological advancement, Plan-S has also integrated 3GPP standard-based NB-IoT into its roadmap, with the first satellites supporting this technology scheduled for launch next year. This makes Connecta the first satellite operator globally to deliver IoT services using both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN technologies, two of the most widely used standards in terrestrial IoT connectivity.
Following its earlier market authorisation in Australia, this latest approval from Türkiye acts as a key catalyst for Plan-S’s global expansion strategy.
Beyond IoT services, Plan-S continues to broaden its space capabilities with the development of the Observa constellation, designed to deliver high-resolution Earth observation and advanced data analytics. By 2030, the company aims to operate more than 200 satellites, creating a robust and independent global space infrastructure serving industries worldwide.
Commenting on this milestone, Özdemir Gümü?ay, CEO of Plan-S, said: “Being recognised as Türkiye’s first authorized LEO satellite operator is a historic turning point, not only for our company, but also for our nation’s space and satellite communications ecosystem. At a time when the global satellite industry is undergoing profound transformation and countries are reshaping their strategies, this achievement marks an important step forward for Türkiye. Beyond enabling us to deliver IoT services at home, this authorization will significantly accelerate our investments in next-generation, strategic satellite communication technologies for international markets.”
