With a satellite lofted into low Earth orbit, Sateliot is joining the race to build networks that hop across the heavens.
By Stephan Shankland
With a SpaceX rocket launch set for late Monday, a Spanish company called Sateliot expects to take its first step toward giving you text messaging abilities in remote parts of the world where conventional mobile networks fail.
The 50-employee Barcelona-based startup is one of a growing number of attempts to use satellites about 310 miles above our heads in low Earth orbit to bring us closer to the promise of ubiquitous connectivity. With Apple, Verizon, T-Mobile and Qualcomm all headed in the same direction, it seems likely that, in the near future, stranded motorists and injured hikers won't be so isolated.