Inmarsat launches programme to boost availability of satellite IoT solutions

2021/04/01 Innoverview Read

Inmarsat has launched its Application and Solution Provider (ASP) programme with the intention of boosting adoption for IoT purposes.

ASP creates an ecosystem for software, hardware, and solution providers that enables access to Inmarsat’s global satellite connectivity and helps companies to expand into new sectors and geographies.

Mike Carter, President of Enterprise at Inmarsat, said:

“Inmarsat and our partners have been pioneering satellite-enabled IoT for a number of years. With this new initiative, we are set to accelerate the rollout of IoT into remote areas of the world where the data points might be the most valuable.

Key to this acceleration is the provision of innovative turnkey solutions that our ASPs are creating – along with Inmarsat’s reliable connectivity – to ensure that the IoT solution works wherever it is needed.”

Satellites provide robust connectivity for rural or mission-critical deployments. This week, Inmarsat even signed a contract extension with the Australian Defence Force which has now become a virtual satellite operator.

“We are seeing a huge increase in technological innovation from providers working in different sectors to develop new IoT products and solutions that need reliable connectivity to function,” Carter continued.

“The ASP Programme is a flexible initiative to nurture those relationships that fit each organisation’s specific needs, either directly or through one of our main distribution partners. Some providers may simply need reliable satellite connectivity while others might benefit from deeper involvement to expand their business globally, such as helping to homologate an IoT solution for distribution into a specific country or additional marketing and sales enablement.”

ASP is launching with two partners – Farmbot Monitoring Solutions, and MinFarm Tech.

Inmarsat has been working with Farmbot Monitoring Solutions for over a year and the adoption of the company’s remote water monitoring solutions are growing rapidly in Australia.

Andrew Coppin, Managing Director of Farmbot Monitoring Solutions, commented:

“Being involved with Inmarsat’s ASP project is an exciting step forward in the development of Farmbot solutions. It has the potential to improve significantly the management of critical water resources for farmers worldwide, resulting in tangible productivity gains, carbon reduction, and ultimately more sustainable outcomes.

We look forward to announcing the development of on-demand cameras for farmers over the coming months.”

MinFarm Tech is a Swedish engineering satellite communications company focused on LoRaWAN deployments in remote locations and extreme environments.

Stephen Lynam, CEO of MinFarm Tech, said:

“Joining Inmarsat’s ASP initiative has given us access to their global channel which has been key in gaining access to new markets. MinFarm Tech is dedicated to enabling LoRaWAN to work seamlessly over satellite networks.

We are very excited to partner with Inmarsat and CPN to deliver the MF 400 IoT Satellite Bridge product which enables LoRaWAN to be used over IDP for the first time. This product will enable customers to pick a truly global and trusted satellite service provider in Inmarsat.”

ASP claims to support companies working across a myriad of industries such as agriculture, aid and NGO, energy, exploration and leisure, media, mining, transport, and utilities.

(Source: IoT News https://iottechnews.com/news/2021/mar/30/inmarsat-launches-programme-boost-availability-satellite-iot-solutions/ )