Satellite operator OQ Technology potentially entered a dogfight with LoRa IoT advocates after arguing the benefits of licensed spectrum while promoting a milestone 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) drone test conducted with a division of Airbus.

OQ Technology collaborated with Airbus Central Research and Technology to transmit data from a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite to user terminals mounted on a test drone in what it referred as a groundbreaking test.

A partially assembled red and white aircraft frame with exposed wooden supports. Labeled yellow arrows point to "NTN Terminals," black rectangular components in the rear compartment. Various tools and equipment are visible on surrounding tables in the workshop.

Omar Qaise, CEO of the satellite company, said the test employed licensed S-band frequencies, Narrowband IoT and the company’s LEO birds to connect with the drone.

He argued licensed bands hold an advantage “over unlicensed ones, like those used by LoRa, in having less interference and more protection”.

Other benefits Qaise noted are compatibility with existing terrestrial mobile networks due to the bands being “standardised by 3GPP for NTN”, along with reducing fade on “higher frequencies such as Ku and Ka bands” because the bands are “not affected by rain or weather conditions and can penetrate” forests.

OQ Technology stated the test with the Airbus business unit advances the 5G NTN field because it delivered a reliable low data rate transmission of 5kb/s with almost 100 per cent continuity.

The connection was maintained “even during extreme manoeuvres” by the drone, including loops, spins and inverted flight.

OQ Technology pitched the test as a significant advance towards providing dependable low-latency satellite connectivity for sectors including aviation, defence and those requiring secure communications.

All images © Airbus 2025