Manta Fusion Global BLE achieves market-first Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite connectivity on mobile, battery-powered hardware – reinforcing Digital Matter’s leadership in next-generation IoT connectivity.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – February 26, 2026 – Digital Matter, a global leader in battery-powered IoT hardware solutions, today announced that its award-winning Manta Fusion Global BLE device has successfully connected to Starlink Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite connectivity via One New Zealand.
The milestone represents the first publicly demonstrated battery-powered asset tracking device to achieve Starlink D2C connectivity on mobile hardware – marking a significant step forward in the evolution of Satellite IoT for asset tracking.
The connection forms part of Digital Matter’s ongoing validation of emerging Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies and will be previewed at MWC Barcelona 2026.
“One of the defining challenges in global asset tracking is ensuring visibility wherever assets move – including beyond the reach of terrestrial networks,” said Loic Barancourt, CEO of Digital Matter. “By successfully connecting a battery-powered tracker to Starlink Direct-to-Cell via One New Zealand, we’re demonstrating that Satellite IoT can extend coverage in a practical, standards-based way. Satellite is a powerful complement to cellular connectivity, particularly for high-value assets operating in remote or cross-border environments. We’re investing early to ensure our partners are prepared as these networks scale.”
Terrestrial cellular technologies such as LTE-M, NB-IoT, and LTE Cat 1bis continue to serve as the backbone of global asset tracking deployments. They deliver proven reliability, mature ecosystems, and cost-effective connectivity across most populated regions.
Satellite IoT builds on this foundation by extending connectivity to areas where terrestrial coverage is intermittent or unavailable. Remote agriculture, mining operations, offshore logistics, infrastructure monitoring, and long-haul transport routes often traverse coverage gaps that can limit visibility. In these environments, even periodic satellite check-ins can significantly enhance operational awareness and reduce blind spots.
Direct-to-Cell technology extends existing cellular standards into space, enabling compatible devices to communicate directly with satellites using 3GPP-aligned frameworks. This standards-based approach allows satellites to function as a seamless extension of terrestrial connectivity, rather than a separate proprietary layer.
For battery-powered devices like the Manta Fusion Global BLE, achieving this capability requires careful engineering. Satellite transmissions demand greater link budgets, precise antenna performance, and intelligent firmware control to manage satellite visibility windows and optimize energy use. Successfully enabling D2C on Manta Fusion Global BLE represents a meaningful validation of the satellite’s role in the future connectivity mix.
Currently in development, the Manta Fusion Global BLE – which was named the 2026 IoT Sensor Product of the Year by the IoT Breakthrough Awards – is designed for demanding, long-term asset tracking deployments. The device integrates multi-location technology – including GNSS, Wi-Fi positioning, and cell tower scanning – with global 4G LTE Cat 1bis connectivity and hybrid Starlink Direct-to-Cell support. Operating as a smart hybrid device, it uses cellular as its primary network and only leverages Starlink D2C when assets move beyond terrestrial coverage, preserving battery life and helping control data costs while maintaining continuous visibility.
Engineered around Digital Matter’s deploy-once philosophy, it can deliver 10 years of battery life on three AA batteries, incorporates integrated Bluetooth® gateway functionality for tagged asset management and sensor monitoring, and features a slim, ultra-rugged enclosure with magnetic activation and tamper detection.
The device leverages the Qualcomm QCX216 cellular IoT modem platform, which supports LTE Cat 1bis and is designed for low-power, globally deployable IoT applications.
“We set out designing the Manta Fusion Global to be able to connect on any 4G LTE network in the world. With the addition of D2C, we are unlocking the ability for the device to communicate even when there is no terrestrial cellular network. However, connecting battery-powered hardware directly to satellites requires disciplined engineering across RF design, power modelling, and firmware intelligence,” said Ken Everett, Founder and Chief Inventor of Digital Matter. “What’s exciting is that we’re seeing satellite connectivity mature into a viable extension of cellular for specific asset tracking use cases. By validating this on mobile, multi-year battery-powered IoT hardware, we’re helping define how Satellite IoT can be deployed intelligently – preserving device longevity while expanding coverage.”
Satellite IoT is entering a new phase of development, driven by growing constellation capacity, improving standards, and expanding operator partnerships. Digital Matter’s approach centers on standards-based solutions, including 3GPP NTN, ensuring flexibility across networks and long-term ecosystem alignment.
Testing with One New Zealand – the first operator globally to launch mobile and IoT services over the Starlink network – provides real-world validation of Direct-to-Cell capabilities within a live network environment. Collaboration with Qualcomm further reinforces the importance of chipset-level innovation in enabling low-power satellite connectivity.
By successfully demonstrating Starlink D2C connectivity on mobile, battery-powered IoT hardware, Digital Matter strengthens its position as an early mover in Satellite Direct-to-Cell for asset tracking – focused on engineering depth, practical validation, and thoughtful integration of emerging connectivity technologies.