**Nordic Semiconductor and LooUQ Collaboration: A New Era for Satellite and Cellular IoT**
The landscape of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly for devices operating in remote or challenging environments. A recent collaboration between Nordic Semiconductor and embedded modem innovator LooUQ is poised to accelerate this evolution. By leveraging LooUQ’s MTC2-N9151 module, which has now earned Skylo Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) certification, the time-to-market for IoT product developers is significantly reduced. This development builds upon Nordic’s own Skylo-certified nRF9151 module, creating a powerful ecosystem for direct-to-satellite and cellular communication.
**One Certification, Inherited Down the Stack**
At the heart of this innovation is Nordic’s nRF9151 module, described as its smallest and lowest-power cellular IoT solution. This module is a powerhouse of integration, combining an open application MCU, an LTE-M/NB-IoT or DECT NR+ modem, NB-NTN satellite support, and robust security features into a single package. This integration eliminates the need for developers to incorporate costly and time-consuming proprietary satellite hardware.
Skylo operates as a standard 3GPP NB-NTN network, accessible through partnerships with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). This allows certified devices to roam seamlessly between terrestrial cellular coverage and satellite networks. The nRF9151 earned its Skylo certification earlier this year, following a firmware update that added full NTN satellite support to its established LTE-M/NB-IoT capabilities. This certification marks Nordic’s first foray into direct-to-satellite communication from a standard cellular module.
Crucially, this certification is not confined to the nRF9151 alone. Because the certification is at the module level, partners like LooUQ inherit it. This is a game-changer for IoT devices deployed in areas far from cell towers, such as smart water sensors, agricultural monitoring systems, energy infrastructure, and asset tracking devices. A missed reading in these scenarios can lead to significant operational costs. LooUQ’s MTC2-N9151 embedded modem is the first to inherit this certification in this manner, meaning any product built around it can commercially deploy on Skylo’s NTN service. It can automatically switch between satellite and cellular networks depending on availability, all without requiring any changes to the application software thanks to the nRF9151’s capabilities.
**A Faster Path for the Entire Ecosystem**
The benefits of this certified foundation extend far beyond a single product, creating a much shorter path to market for any company building upon it. LooUQ’s MTC2-N9151 module requires only two external components for integration into a new product. Its NTN/TN antenna supports both terrestrial LTE and satellite 3GPP NB-NTN bands using a single element, eliminating the complex and time-consuming process of separate antenna characterization.
Device makers who base their products on the MTC2-N9151 can pursue their own Skylo certification but will benefit from substantially reduced testing. This is because the foundational certification work has already been completed by Nordic and LooUQ. Furthermore, LooUQ has been an official Nordic module partner since 2025, aiming to provide carrier-end device certification and further streamline integration and regulatory compliance for IoT device manufacturers.
**Already Making an Impact in the Field**
The practical application of this certified combination is already being seen in the field. Remsight, a water technology company based in Montana, is utilizing the MTC2-N9151 in its HydroProxy platform. This platform uses the module to keep solar-powered sensors connected across vast and remote irrigation infrastructure in the American West. In these areas, terrestrial cellular coverage has historically been unreliable. The MTC2-N9151 ensures that water managers have real-time visibility into these systems, a significant improvement over manual checks. By building on LooUQ’s certified foundation, Remsight is also positioned to pursue its own Skylo certification with minimal additional effort.
**Specifications**
The nRF9151 is Nordic Semiconductor’s smallest and lowest-power cellular IoT module. It supports LTE-M, NB-IoT, NB-NTN, and NR+ within a single, ultra-compact design. LooUQ’s MTC2-N9151 exposes the full pin functionality of the nRF9151 through its MTC.2 interface. It is available with development kits, including the MTC2-N9151-BRK-KIT (a breakout board) and the MTC2-N9151-UXP-KIT (which features integrated regulators and an I²C-controlled RGB LED), allowing developers to begin over-the-air testing immediately.
> “The nRF9151 was designed to set a new standard for highly integrated and compact module solutions for cellular IoT and private 5G NR+ applications,” says Kristian Sæther, Senior Product Director, Long Range, at Nordic Semiconductor. “Its support for LTE-M/NB-IoT, NB-NTN, and NR+, combined with advanced security and low-power design, makes it the ideal foundation for next-generation devices that need to operate anywhere on Earth. We are glad to see LooUQ bring these capabilities to market through a certified Skylo solution.”
> “We built the MTC2-N9151 so that the best embedded modem is the one you never have to think about,” says Greg Terrell, CEO of LooUQ. “It works, wherever a product ends up. Skylo certification means our customers can promise something remarkable: a device that’s connected everywhere, always. That’s a promise we’re proud to help deliver.”
> “Our customers are water managers in some of the most remote terrain in the West,” says Stephen McLaughlin, co-founder and president of Remsight. “They can’t afford connectivity gaps. A missed flow reading or a delayed alert can mean a failed delivery or a flooded field. Building on the LooUQ MTC2-N9151 and Skylo’s NTN network lets us guarantee our HydroProxy sensors stay connected and keep sending data from anywhere we deploy them.”
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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
**Q1: What is Skylo and how does it work with the nRF9151?**
A1: Skylo is a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) that operates as a standard 3GPP NB-NTN network. It allows IoT devices to connect via satellite when terrestrial cellular coverage is unavailable. The nRF9151 module has been certified for Skylo, enabling devices using this module to automatically and seamlessly switch between satellite and cellular networks.
**Q2: What does it mean for a certification to be “inherited down the stack”?**
A2: It means that because LooUQ’s MTC2-N9151 embedded modem is built on Nordic’s nRF9151 module, it inherits the nRF9151’s Skylo certification. Consequently, any final product designed around the MTC2-N9151 module also inherits this certification, simplifying the compliance process for device manufacturers.
**Q3: What is the MTC2-N9151, and how does it differ from the nRF9151?**
A3: The MTC2-N9151 is an embedded modem developed by LooUQ that is built on top of Nordic’s nRF9151 module. It exposes the nRF9151’s full functionality through a user-friendly MTC.2 interface, making it easier for developers to integrate the powerful nRF9151 into their products without extensive cellular expertise.
**Q4: What real-world application is the MTC2-N9151 currently being used for?**
A4: The MTC2-N9151 is currently being used by the water technology company Remsight in its HydroProxy platform. This platform uses solar-powered sensors connected via the MTC2-N9151 to monitor water infrastructure across remote areas of the American West, providing real-time data where cellular coverage was previously unreliable.
**Q5: What are the key specifications of the nRF9151 module?**
A5: The nRF9151 is Nordic’s smallest and lowest-power cellular IoT module. It integrates LTE-M, NB-IoT, DECT NR+, and NB-NTN satellite support into a single, ultra-compact package, making it ideal for a wide range of IoT applications requiring global connectivity.
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## Conclusion
The collaboration between Nordic Semiconductor and LooUQ, validated by the Skylo NTN certification, represents a major step forward for the IoT industry. By creating a certified, inherited path from the core module to the final product, they have dramatically lowered the barriers to entry for developers working on connected devices in remote locations. This certified combination not only accelerates time-to-market but also provides a reliable, globally roaming connectivity solution that was previously complex and costly to implement. With real-world deployments already underway, this partnership is well-positioned to define the future of ubiquitous, satellite-enabled IoT connectivity.
