Home▸About Ground Control’s Satellite Solutions

About Ground Control’s Satellite Solutions

Why Ground Control?

When you’re figuring out how to get data from your remote operation – e.g. an oil well, farm or shipping fleet – or need a means of ensuring that your team can stay connected wherever they are, and under any circumstances – there’s a lot to consider. There’s a solution for every requirement that can be customized to meet your needs, and that’s where Ground Control comes in.

With our 20 years of experience, we can pair you up with the appropriate device and airtime, and uniquely, we’re not invested in selling you a specific product or connections. We are proud to manufacture some of the most reliable and innovative devices on the market, and we also work with leading manufacturers and multiple airtime providers – both satellite and cellular – to ensure you get the best possible solution.

We’re fresh.

Delivering ‘great’ is a given. We also strive to make memorable everything we do. Remaining the ‘welcome change’ reminds us to continuously examine what’s being done... and push ourselves to do it even better.

We burn hotter.

We put fire and passion into our work, inspiring each other and our customers. Our team members believe in what we do and believe in what you do. They are here because they want to make a difference.

We work smarter.

Working harder alone won’t bring us – or you – to the top. So we also work smarter. Integrating ideas, aggregating technologies and innovating in spaces where others haven’t even looked yet.

We're big. Yet small.

We offer customers the benefits of a big company with the human touch of a small one. Personal, approachable and reliable. Whatever else we’ve got on, there will always be time for you.

We focus forward.

We always think several moves ahead. Discovering next-gen tech, reading the trends before they happen, and imagining the future before it forms. Turning insight into exceptional and innovative solutions.

About us

Ground Control was launched when three leading brands united to create a best-of- breed technology and service provider in satellite and IoT.

We provide customers with a remote critical communications solution, through a comprehensive range of satellite and cellular connectivity options whether in flight, on land or at sea. We deploy leading IoT technology to enable you to track and protect your valued assets, including fleet, plant, and people.

We recognize that rapid responses and optimal decision making rely on accurate and real-time data. Our data suite ensures information is securely delivered, and easily accessible for alerts and analysis.

Our mission is nothing less than to provide you with complete connectivity and control.

We’ve got you covered.

History

2002

Where it all began

Ground Control was founded in 2002 on the central coast of California as a reseller of mobile satellite Internet systems and services for the "then" new mobile Internet market. Our clients ranged from professionals to RVers to hundreds of government agencies, public safety organizations, oil & gas firms, and thousands of corporate and private businesses.

2004

Wireless Innovation founded

In 2004, in the UK, Wireless Innovation was founded as a machine to machine (“M2M”) and Internet of Things (“IoT”) connectivity platform provider. Its aim was, and still is, to provide customers with a remote critical communications solution, with satellite at the heart.

2005

Rock Seven is born

Rock Seven and its sister company YB Tracking were founded in 2005, specialising in their own Iridium enabled devices; designed, assembled and tested in the UK. From around-the-world yacht races to hobbyists sending balloons into space, the Rock Seven products quickly became ubiquitous with robust, reliable and well supported satellite connectivity for people and vehicles on the move.

2017

Investment from Horizon Capital

A turning point was in 2017, when the business received an investment from Horizon Capital – a UK based private equity firm – which allowed us to further develop our IP and build new capabilities, as well as expand our footprint and better serve our clients.

2019

Wireless Innovation purchases Ground Control and Rock Seven

As part of our new strategy, Wireless Innovation acquired Rock Seven and YB Tracking in 2018, followed by Ground Control in 2019. By bringing both of these brands' exceptional products into the fold, as well as their many years of industry expertise, the group was prepared to evolve.

2020

New leadership and the introduction of Cloudloop

To bring this all together, in October 2020, Alastair MacLeod was appointed as new CEO and, under his leadership, a multi-disciplinary and exciting team was set to define the next steps towards the future of the company. A major feature of this strategy is a consolidation of capabilities it into a single lens platform, Cloudloop, putting customers in control of their connectivity, assets, and data.

2021

New brand and website launched

As the start of 2021, together with green shoots coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a bold move was made to merge the three businesses under one umbrella with an exciting, fresh new brand Ground Control. The combined assets of Ground Control enable clients to connect, protect and track people and assets in remote locations, supporting clients in over 100 countries in a range of markets.

Key People

Alastair joined the team in October 2020, having previously led the team at Teralytics, and had senior roles at Orange and Solera. With a background in tech, telco, SaaS, DaaS, and big data, Alastair is well equipped to guide Ground Control through our evolution.

Alastair MacLeod

Chief Executive Officer

Jeff has led our North America operation since 2008, and there's nothing worth knowing about satcoms that Jeff doesn't know. With a strong customer success orientation, Jeff has personally overseen the development of many of our best selling products.

Jeff Staples

President, GC North America

Steve joined the team in November 2017, and is an experienced commercial finance executive with a transaction services background (PwC). Steve has a comprehensive knowledge of the Group’s financial history and dynamics.

Steve Smith

Chief Financial Officer

Richard (Ric) was the co-founder of Rock Seven, which was acquired by Wireless Innovation Ltd (now trading as Ground Control) in October 2018. Rick is entrepreneurial with strong technical skills; the brains behind Cloudloop, YB Tracking and the Rock product portfolio.

Richard Searle

Chief Technical Officer

Oliver joined Ground Control from Truphone, where he was the Director of IoT & Software. Prior to this, Oliver held senior leadership roles at O2, Tesco Mobile and Telefonica. Oliver guides our Product, Service and Operations teams, driving efficiencies, developing growth strategies, and ensuring that we deliver quality in all aspects of service delivery.

Oliver Potter

Chief Operations Officer

Ben joined the team in July 2021, tasked with ensuring that Ground Control has all of the hardware, airtime and services needed to offer our customers the best possible solution for their needs. Ben is a highly experienced product manager, with a background in technology services and app development.

Ben Travers

Group Product Director

Tina joined Ground Control in April 2021, working with Steve to ensure sound financial management across the group. Tina is an experienced Controller with a proven history of leadership and success from both the strategic and tactical aspects of financial management.

Tina Gantley

Group Financial Controller

Introducing Cloudloop

Cloudloop is Ground Control's online platform, and provides users with single place to manage contracts and analyse your usage. Cloudloop makes it easy for you to see how many minutes your devices are using, how much data you have left on your airtime plans, and what your current billing looks like. Analyze the data, set allowances, review alerts where users have gone over a pre-specified level - you're in control.

More About Cloudloop

Here for you

Our website is here for you 24/7 to purchase products and services, but if you’d like to discuss your connectivity needs, please get in touch! We aim to be your partner of choice, giving you complete connectivity and control in your explorations.

Contact Form

Click outside to hide the compare bar

Compare Products