Plan-S Expands Satellite-Based IoT Communication
ANKARA – Turkey’s Plan-S is increasing investments in satellite-based IoT communication. The company is growing both its satellite fleet and its ground station network to meet rising demand for reliable, low-power connectivity. Since its founding in 2021, Plan-S has quickly become a key player in the global satellite IoT sector, with plans for seamless worldwide coverage.
Expanding the Orbital Network
Plan-S operates 17 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Twelve currently provides IoT services through the Connecta IoT Network, delivering cost-efficient data to remote and infrastructure-poor areas. In mid-2025, four new satellites launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 (Transporter-14) mission. This boosted the network’s data capacity and reduced latency across its coverage zones.
These additions allow more frequent data collection over critical areas. Industries such as energy, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and logistics benefit directly. For instance, oil pipeline operators can receive hourly sensor updates. Farmers can track soil moisture and weather data in near real time, improving decision-making and resource management.
By 2030, Plan-S aims to operate several hundred satellites. This would reduce revisit times to minutes, enabling mission-critical sectors to work with unprecedented situational awareness.
“Each new satellite brings us closer to uninterrupted global connectivity,” said CEO Özdemir Gümüşay, noting the strategic value of rapid growth.
The company’s expansion aligns with the NewSpace trend. Small-satellite constellations are changing how IoT services are delivered, making coverage faster and more flexible than legacy systems.
Ground Stations: Strengthening Global Connectivity
Plan-S operates four fully in-house engineered ground stations. Two are in Ankara, one in Erzurum, and one in northern Sweden. Each facility uses custom hardware and software for optimal signal quality, reliability, and easy maintenance.
Technical Reach
The stations operate on S- and UHF bands, maintaining frequent contact with LEO and polar-orbit satellites. The Swedish site’s location near the Arctic Circle allows longer and more frequent communication with satellites in polar trajectories.
Resilience in All Conditions
Stations are built to endure extreme environments. The Swedish facility withstands heavy snow and freezing winds, while the Anatolian sites handle high temperatures and seasonal storms. This ensures uninterrupted service for critical communications worldwide.
Automation and Future Plans
Plan-S’s proprietary network software links all ground stations in a single control framework. It automates scheduling, data routing, and emergency responses. Automation reduces latency and limits the need for human intervention.
The company plans to add high-capacity, multi-band stations in new global locations. These upgrades will improve data throughput, lower latency, and extend satellite-based IoT communication services to more regions.
Strategic and Industrial Significance
Satellite-based IoT communication is essential infrastructure. It keeps critical systems connected, from oil pipelines to defense installations, even in remote or disaster-hit areas. Reliable space-based networks are vital for both national security and economic stability.
By designing satellites, ground stations, and control systems domestically, Plan-S strengthens Turkey’s technological independence. This approach reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and enhances competitiveness in the global space industry.
Deputy GM Gökmen Cengiz stated, “This infrastructure was entirely developed by Turkish engineers. We are boosting our commercial reach and securing national independence in space technology.”
Looking Ahead
Plan-S plans more satellite launches and new ground stations. These steps will strengthen its role in global IoT connectivity. The company’s growth shows that satellite-based IoT communication will remain a cornerstone of both commercial and strategic infrastructure in the decade ahead.
