Auckland – November 08, 2026 -- Fibocom's LE270-EU and LE271-GL LTE Cat.1 bis modules reached approximately 2.2 Mbps and 2.0 Mbps downlink respectively on the SpaceX Direct to Cell (DTC) satellite network during live testing in New Zealand. Both modules ran standard firmware with no satellite-specific hardware modifications. They registered on the network, established IP data sessions and transmitted data over the satellite link.
Open-sky tests deliver 0.3 Mbps uplink and 80% to 90% ping response
In outdoor and in-vehicle tests with good sky visibility, both modules delivered around 0.3 Mbps uplink. Network registration took approximately 1 to 30 seconds, and ping response rates ranged from 80% to 90%. Both modules also registered and exchanged data under weak-signal conditions.
Hotel-room tests cut downlink to about 0.5 Mbps
Performance varied more sharply indoors with obstructed sky visibility. Inside a hotel room, downlink throughput fell to approximately 0.5 Mbps in some scenarios, and ping response rates dropped to around 65% to 70%. Some data requests also saw noticeably longer response times.
For asset tracking and agricultural monitoring, which typically send small data volumes at regular intervals, Fibocom says matching terrestrial LTE speeds is not the priority. Satellite can serve as an additional path for location updates, device status and sensor readings where terrestrial coverage is absent.
Satellite uploads consume 1.5 to 1.8 times the energy of terrestrial links
Uploading the same file over the satellite connection required approximately 1.5 to 1.8 times the energy used on a terrestrial cellular connection. Fibocom attributes the increase mainly to longer transmission times, higher transmit current and data retransmissions. The modules kept their low Power Saving Mode (PSM) sleep current.
For battery-powered devices, Fibocom recommends adjusting reporting intervals, buffering data during connectivity interruptions and retrying transmissions when the link returns.
Compact modules draw as little as 2.5 μA in PSM
The LE270 and LE271 series measure 17.7 x 15.8 x 2.4 mm and offer PSM current as low as 2.5 μA. They support OpenCPU development and a range of peripheral interfaces.
SpaceX Direct to Cell deploys LTE base station capabilities on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and operates through partnerships with mobile network operators. Compatible LTE devices that meet network access requirements can use it as an alternative to terrestrial cell towers. This lets OEMs keep existing LTE hardware architectures instead of adding dedicated satellite communication hardware, which can raise power consumption and development costs.
Fibocom is continuing to optimize DTC firmware compatibility for the LE270 and LE271 series, focusing on network registration efficiency and connection resilience.