LEO, SGP.32 and 6G: key developments at MWC 2026

MWC 2026 is arguably the biggest trade show for the mobile communications industry and everything that surrounds it – including IoT and connected devices.

The GigSky Business team attended MWC 2026 talking to leading IoT innovators about their device connectivity needs and how GigSky Business can help support device innovation with global connectivity.

But as much as GigSky’s cellular connectivity provides the platform for innovation, the technology we integrate emerged through a steady process of evolution. MWC is the one annual event where standards bodies and vendors announce major innovation milestones, so what did we see in 2026?

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More and more SGP.32

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A lot of the action at MWC 2026 was around SGP.32, which still requires a degree of progress across both hardware and software before we see wide applications of SGP.32 roll out in the real world.

Real world implementations are steadily emerging though – one example being US electric car manufacturer Rivian, which presented a SGP.32 implementation alongside Giesecke+Devrient (G+D).

AT&T is the connectivity partner, and Rivian says that they’re aiming to use SGP.32 implementation to ensure ongoing connectivity throughout a vehicles’ lifecycle.

Thinking about SGP.32 building blocks, Comprion and G+D announced a partnership to deliver interoperable SGP.32 that supports an end‑to‑end, standards‑aligned eSIM environment for IoT.

Satellite connectivity developments

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At GigSky we’re all for connectivity anywhere and everywhere – so it’s been exciting to see the ongoing rollout of low-earth orbit connectivity. A couple of key announcements at MWC 2026 included:

• IoT satellite connectivity: Rohde & Schwarz and Viasat announced a collaboration to define and validate a test plan for NB‑NTN to support IoT connectivity via satellite. The aim is to allow chipset vendors, device makers, and operators to verify compliance, RF performance, and interoperability of NB‑IoT devices operating over satellite links.
  
  
• LEO for remote IoT connectivity: Vodafone and Amazon’s Project Kuiper signed an agreement to use Amazon’s low earth orbit satellite constellation to extend Vodafone’s mobile coverage across Europe and Africa. Kuiper will provide satellite backhaul links to Vodafone’s terrestrial network, enabling mobile service in remote or underserved areas.
  
  
• Practical support for NTN: Nordic Semiconductor announced a major expansion of its cellular IoT portfolio, introducing new nRF92 and nRF93 series devices that add support for non‑terrestrial networks (NTN) and satellite positioning.

With companies like Nordic Semiconductor creating easy-to-integrate NTN chips it’s not going to be long before we commonly see everyday devices including phones, smart dog collars and shipping trackers equipped with LEO satellite connectivity.

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Progress in standards

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MWC is also where standards bodies often announce new agreements, and that’s the case with the LoRa Alliance announcement that describes an initiative to combine LoRaWAN’s low-power wide-area networking with “physical AI” at the edge.

The plan is to enable smart sensors and devices to run local intelligence while sending only essential data upstream. It includes guidelines that let manufacturers embed AI models directly into LoRaWAN endpoints,

Thinking beyond 5G, Rohde & Schwarz used MWC 2026 to highlight new 5G‑Advanced and emerging 6G test solutions across radio, core, and device validation, which provides key tools for MNOs to test infrastructure for 5G Advanced and beyond. 

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Cutting-edge, and every day

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It’s clear that the future of IoT connectivity lies in the seamless integration of standards like SGP.32, the global reach of LEO satellite networks, and the foundation being set for 6G. 

As these technologies converge, GigSky continues to empower innovators with reliable, future‑ready connectivity solutions that make next‑generation IoT deployments possible today.

And yes, much of the innovation at MWC 2026 is on the cutting edge. But you can rely on GigSky to support your innovation needs with reliable, everyday connectivity too – including physical SIM cards; all connected to an easy to use management platform.

Contact us now to see how GigSky enables innovation in IoT. 

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