Terrestar Solutions
Terrestar Solutions is Canada's only domestically controlled mobile satellite operator, providing hybrid satellite-cellular IoT connectivity and direct-to-mobile services to enterprises, MNOs, and consumers across rural, remote, and northern Canada using 3GPP NTN standards.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Terrestar Solutions does
Terrestar Solutions is a Montreal-based, privately-held mobile satellite operator that is the only Canadian-controlled provider of mobile-satellite services (MSS) in the country. The company holds 40 MHz of S-band mobile-satellite spectrum (2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz) under a 20-year nationwide ISED license, sub-leases capacity on the Echostar T1 geostationary satellite at 111° west, and is building a separate low-Earth-orbit (LEO) constellation for direct-to-mobile services. Its core mission is to bridge the cellular coverage gap affecting roughly 75% of Canadian territory and 12+ million people by integrating MSS spectrum and satellite infrastructure with terrestrial mobile network operators.
Terrestar's product portfolio is built on 3GPP Release 17 Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards and includes the Hybrid IoT connectivity service (single SIM, single plan, single platform with automatic cellular-to-satellite switching for NB-IoT and LTE-M devices), Direct-to-Mobile satellite services for smartphones (SMS, chat, voice, email), the SatCompanion snap-on device (Qualcomm 9205S Modem, patent-pending metamaterial antenna via TTP plc), and the Strigo consumer/enterprise MSS brand. Network infrastructure is delivered through partnerships with Mavenir (cloud-native vRAN and converged packet core), Skylo (NTN vRAN), and Hughes Network Systems (ground network), while the connectivity management layer is provided by Monogoto's software-defined platform with 400+ API integrations.
Revenue is generated through tiered monthly subscription plans (Hybrid 10/25/50/100 MB and KB bundles), pay-per-use IoT data ($0.45/KB satellite, $0.02/MB cellular, $0.02/SMS, $0.60-$1.00 per-SIM monthly fees), spectrum sub-licensing to MNOs and WISPs (notably Xplornet and TELUS), contract development services (e.g., ~€2.0M Bittium engagement), and emerging direct-to-device revenue with MNOs. The company distributes primarily through channel partnerships with MNOs and IoT solution providers, with direct enterprise sales to verticals including transportation and logistics, mining and construction, energy/utilities/environmental, agriculture, connected vehicles, and the MNO partner base itself.
Terrestar Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Terrestar Solutions
- Legal name
- Terrestar Solutions Inc.
- Website
- https://terrestarsolutions.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Terrestar Solutions is Canada's only domestically controlled mobile satellite operator, providing hybrid satellite-cellular IoT connectivity and direct-to-mobile services to enterprises, MNOs, and consumers across rural, remote, and northern Canada using 3GPP NTN standards.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Terrestar Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Satellite Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Radiotelephone Communications (4812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Direct-to-Device (D2D) / NTN Cellular (Satellite-to-Handset, NB-IoT NTN) (HDAIAJAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Satellite Connectivity & Managed Services (VSAT, SD-WAN over Satcom) (HDAIAJAB), Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB) (HDAIAJAA), Satellite Wholesale Capacity & Backhaul (transponder/HTS capacity, teleport services) (HDAIAEAJ)
Keywords
Where Terrestar Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Terrestar Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Hybrid IoT Connectivity Services: Monthly subscription plans for hybrid cellular-satellite IoT connectivity. Customers pay for data plans with cellular and satellite allocations. Revenue from SIM activations, monthly subscriptions, and usage-based charges for data overages.
- Satellite IoT Data Usage: Pay-per-use model for satellite data at $0.45/KB plus $1.00/month satellite access fee per active SIM. Cellular data at $0.02/MB.
- Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Services: Future revenue stream from direct-to-device satellite services for smartphones offering SMS, chat, voice, and email. Partnership-based model with MNOs.
- Spectrum Licensing: 40 MHz of S-band mobile satellite spectrum licensed nationally. Sub-licensing arrangements with operators like TELUS and Xplornet for spectrum utilization.
- Strigo Mobile Satellite Service: Consumer and enterprise mobile satellite services brand providing voice and data connectivity in remote regions of Canada.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Hybrid 10 - Entry level plan with 10 MB cellular + 10 KB satellite data |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hybrid 25 - Mid-tier plan with 25 MB cellular + 25 KB satellite data |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hybrid 50 - Upper mid-tier plan with 50 MB cellular + 50 KB satellite data |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hybrid 100 - Premium plan with 100 MB cellular + 100 KB satellite data |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-per-use model for flexible connectivity needs |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hybrid Trial Plan - Developer kit for testing hybrid connectivity |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Terrestar Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Terrestar Solutions is a Canadian mobile satellite operator that provides hybrid satellite-cellular connectivity services. Its core offerings are the Hybrid IoT platform (single-SIM automatic switching between cellular and satellite networks using 3GPP Release 17 NB-IoT and LTE-M) and Direct-to-Mobile satellite services (SMS, chat, voice, email on standard smartphones). These are delivered over 40 MHz of S-band spectrum and the Echostar T1 geostationary satellite, complemented by the Strigo MSS consumer/enterprise brand and the SatCompanion snap-on device.
Product overview
Terrestar Solutions offers a unified portfolio of satellite-based mobile connectivity products centered on bridging cellular coverage gaps across Canada. The core offerings include Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Services for smartphone connectivity (SMS, chat, voice, email) and Hybrid IoT for machine-to-machine communications. These are delivered through the Strigo MSS sub-brand using the company's geostationary Echostar T1 satellite and 40 MHz of S-band spectrum. The Hybrid IoT platform provides one SIM, one plan, one platform architecture enabling seamless switching between cellular and satellite networks. Complementary products include the SatCompanion device for enhanced satellite connectivity and developer tools for testing deployments. The entire ecosystem adheres to 3GPP NTN standards, facilitating integration with mobile network operators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Strigo: Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) brand offering satellite connectivity for smartphones and IoT devices across Canada.
Products and services
- Hybrid IoT Connectivity Service
- Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Services
- Strigo Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS)
- SatCompanion Device
- Hybrid IoT Developer Kit
Quantifiable outcome
- 32 weeks of continuous equipment monitoring validated in real-world testing with LUBEX in Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Terrestar Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Terrestar Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
Terrestar Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Bell (in discussions)minorIn talks with Bell for integration of satellite IoT service with Bell's existing terrestrial networks.
- Telus (in discussions)minorIn talks with Telus for integration of satellite IoT service with Telus's existing terrestrial networks.
- MavenircoreStrategic partnership for cloud-native network infrastructure. Mavenir provides virtualized RAN, converged packet core, and network management solutions. Achieved industry-first Voice over NB-IoT call in NTN mode. Terrestar is Mavenir's anchor customer for satellite-based IoT. Joint NB-IoT NTN testing and commercial deployment.
- BittiummajorDevelopment partnership for 5G NTN direct-to-mobile connectivity for satellite-enabled smartphones. Bittium provides wireless hardware and software development services. Development services valued at approximately €2.0 million.
- MonogotocorePartnership for cloud-based IoT connectivity platform. Monogoto's software-defined platform enables seamless cellular and satellite connectivity management. Empowers enterprises with real-time data and control.
- TTP plcmajorPartnership for SatCompanion device development. TTP provides innovative antenna technology using patent-pending metamaterial advancements for direct-to-mobile 5G NTN services.
- QualcommmajorPartnership for SatCompanion device powered by Qualcomm 9205S Modem. Collaboration on next-generation 5G NTN devices for satellite connectivity.
- EtiyamajorSoftware partnership for BSS/OSS solutions to help bridge connectivity gap for Canadians. Etiya provides AI-driven digital transformation software for customer experience.
- Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA)majorFounding member of MSSA along with Viasat, Ligado Networks, Omnispace, and Yahsat. Association develops standards for direct-to-device and IoT connectivity using MSS spectrum.
- TELUSmajorJoint demonstration of Canada's first two-way communication between smartphones and satellites. TELUS exploring satellite connectivity solutions for customers. Terrestar spectrum sub-licensed to TELUS in 11 Tier 4 licensed areas.
- Skylo TechnologiesmajorPartnership for NTN vRAN infrastructure, integration services and operational support. Skylo provides 3GPP standards-based cloud-native base station and core. Combined with Terrestar's spectrum and satellite for direct-to-device services.
- XplornetmajorSpectrum sub-licensing agreement. Terrestar sub-licensed 40 MHz of AWS-4 spectrum to Xplornet in 37 Tier 3 licensed areas and 13 Tier 4 licensed areas covering nearly 13 million Canadians.
- EchoStarcoreEchoStar T1 geostationary satellite providing Canadian mobile satellite capacity. Terrestar acquired Canadian satellite and spectrum licenses from Gamma Acquisition Canada (related to EchoStar). Satellite located at 111 degrees west geostationary orbit.
- TelesatmajorLong-term partnership for satellite monitoring and operation. Telesat helps operate Strigo satellite and feederlink gateway activities in Canada.
- Hughes Network SystemscoreContracted for design, development, supply and integration of satellite ground communication network infrastructure in Canada. Provides Hughes 4201 Mobile Satellite Device certified for use in Canada.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Terrestar Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Viasat: Global MSS and D2D satellite operator and MSSA co-founder alongside Terrestar. Operates satellite broadband and is pursuing direct-to-device services, making it a direct comparable in the same NTN/MSS category targeting enterprise and consumer markets.
- Skylo Technologies: 3GPP NTN standards-based satellite connectivity provider and Terrestar's technology partner. Competes directly in NB-IoT NTN / D2D services, offering a cloud-native base station and core that is functionally substitutable with Terrestar's Mavenir-based stack.
- AST SpaceMobile: Publicly listed (NASDAQ: ASTS) company building a space-based cellular broadband network direct-to-device. Competes with Terrestar for the same direct-to-mobile smartphone connectivity use case on a global scale with significantly larger capital backing.
- Ligado Networks: MSSA co-founder with Terrestar. Operates MSS spectrum holdings in North America targeting enterprise IoT and direct-to-device, making it a directly comparable peer in MSS-based NTN service offerings.
- Omnispace: MSSA co-founder with Terrestar. Pursues hybrid satellite-cellular 5G NTN services using MSS spectrum, directly comparable in business model and target use cases (D2D, IoT over hybrid networks).
Broad incumbents
- EchoStar: Terrestar's satellite capacity partner via Echostar T1 and a shareholder. EchoStar operates MSS, satellite broadband (Hughes), and is pursuing D2D globally, making it both a partner and broader incumbent in the satellite connectivity space.
- Iridium Communications: Publicly listed MSS operator (NASDAQ: IRDM) providing global satellite voice, data, and IoT services. Comparable as an established incumbent in MSS targeting enterprise IoT, asset tracking, and remote connectivity — overlapping significantly with Terrestar's Strigo and Hybrid IoT lines.
Regional players
- Telesat: Canadian satellite operator partnering with Terrestar on Strigo satellite monitoring and gateway operations. Comparable as a Canadian-headquartered satellite operator building LEO (Lightspeed) capacity with overlapping enterprise/government target markets.
- Yahsat: UAE-based MSSA co-founder and satellite operator providing MSS and broadband services across Middle East/Africa. Comparable as a regionally focused MSS/D2D operator but geographically distinct from Terrestar's Canadian focus.
Emerging players
- Lynk Global: Early-stage direct-to-device satellite company pursuing direct-to-mobile connectivity from LEO. Competes in the same D2D/NTN category as Terrestar but with a global LEO-focused roadmap rather than Canadian GEO-first strategy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Terrestar Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceTerrestar Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Terrestar Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Terrestar Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Terrestar Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Terrestar Solutions
What does Terrestar Solutions do?
Terrestar Solutions is a Canadian mobile satellite operator that provides hybrid satellite-cellular connectivity services. Its core offerings are the Hybrid IoT platform (single-SIM automatic switching between cellular and satellite networks using 3GPP Release 17 NB-IoT and LTE-M) and Direct-to-Mobile satellite services (SMS, chat, voice, email on standard smartphones). These are delivered over 40 MHz of S-band spectrum and the Echostar T1 geostationary satellite, complemented by the Strigo MSS consumer/enterprise brand and the SatCompanion snap-on device.
Is Terrestar Solutions a public or private company?
Terrestar Solutions is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Terrestar Solutions founded?
Terrestar Solutions was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Terrestar Solutions based?
Terrestar Solutions is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Terrestar Solutions make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hybrid IoT Connectivity Services are the primary driver. The others are satellite IoT Data Usage, direct-to-Mobile Satellite Services, spectrum Licensing and strigo Mobile Satellite Service.
Who are Terrestar Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Viasat, Skylo Technologies, AST SpaceMobile, Ligado Networks and Omnispace. Broad incumbents are EchoStar and Iridium Communications. Regional players are Telesat and Yahsat. Lynk Global is listed as an emerging player.
Does Terrestar Solutions have an API?
Yes. The Hybrid IoT platform offers API-based connectivity management through its partnership with Monogoto. The platform provides hundreds of ready-to-use APIs for integrating connectivity management into existing systems, apps, and workflows. Access is available via the self-serve platform. Developer documentation is at docs.monogoto.io.
What industry is Terrestar Solutions in?
Terrestar Solutions's product category is Mobile Satellite Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAE, Direct-to-Device (D2D) / NTN Cellular (Satellite-to-Handset, NB-IoT NTN), with a secondary code of HDAIAJAB, Enterprise Satellite Connectivity & Managed Services (VSAT, SD-WAN over Satcom). Its NAICS code is 5174 and its SIC code is 4899.