IoT & M2M Connectivity

Taking our customers terrestrial applications and
making them work anywhere on Earth.

We design and build Satellite IoT devices complete with airtime and lifetime support.
If you need to capture sensor data from remote places – deserts, forests, oceans, mountain
tops – we can help.

SEE ALL IOT & M2M PRODUCTS

Many Satellites Flying Over Earth As Seen From Space

Satellite IoT: Ubiquitous Coverage

Reliable and continuous connectivity is crucial for the success of IoT deployments as big data is at its core. But with LTE coverage gaps throughout America, 75% of businesses face connectivity issues during IoT project trials. Even excluding Alaska, 11% of the nation’s road miles lack 4G LTE coverage, and 16% of square miles have no LTE or only subsidized coverage. With satellite IoT, previously unreachable or unmonitored assets, such as pipelines, shipping containers or wildlife can be connected, monitored and managed in real-time, ensuring greater visibility and control.

Ground Control specialize in helping businesses build and extend their network reach. From hardware and airtime to remote device and data management, we have the solutions you need to ensure your project runs smoothly.

Selecting the right Satellite IoT Hardware & Airtime

These questions are aimed at helping you narrow down your options, but if you require additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.

 

How data intensive is your application?
Can your device control data?
How time critical is the receipt of your data?
Where are your assets and are they mobile?
What level of data security is required?
Low Volume

E.g. telemetry, sensor data. A few bytes to a few kilobytes.

For low volumes of data, messaging services are highly cost effective. (If you’re not familiar with messaging services, it’s not dissimilar to how SMS works but over satellite). You should investigate Iridium SBD and Inmarsat IDP for critical applications, or cubesats.

Medium Volume

E.g. audio, images, log files. Kilobytes to a few megabytes.

For medium volume use cases, you should consider Iridium Certus 100 (which offers both IP- and message-based options) and Inmarsat BGAN M2M.

High Volume

E.g. video. Megabytes to gigabytes.

If you need to transmit high volumes of IoT data, it’s worth exploring Starlink or VSAT solutions.

Tab 1 Asset Data Volume Graph
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YES, MY DEVICE DOES

 
 
Great, edge computing, reporting by exception and condition-based logging will help reduce the amount of data you need to transmit, potentially opening up messaging services for your application.

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NO, MY DEVICE DOESN’T

 
 
You could consider a communications device which has edge processing capability such as the RockREMOTE and the RockFLEET.

Low & Medium Latency

If it’s essential that your data is delivered in close to real-time, you need to consider the network maturity, visibility and latency. Iridium-powered devices have the lowest latency and the broadest visibility. Inmarsat BGAN M2M and ScadaSAT by TSAT also offer very low latency and very high reliability of data delivery.

High Latency

If you can wait for your data (i.e. store and forward), you can optimize your delivery, and look at networks that have fewer satellites in orbit (newer LEO constellations like Swarm, for example).

National Critical Infrastructure

If you operate national critical infrastructure, you may need something with zero reliance on public infrastructure. Have a look at the SCADASat, which gives you a private satellite network.

Tab 3 Asset latency graph
Fixed

You’ve got more options as your antenna can be pointed at a fixed point in the sky, opening up geostationary services like Inmarsat. If your location is heavily wooded and hilly, a low earth orbit service like Iridium may be better as satellites are passing constantly overhead.

Mobile

You either need an auto-pointing device to connect with a geostationary satellite (such as Inmarsat) or – and it’s usually a better option – an omni-directional antenna which speaks to a satellite constellation in low earth orbit (such as Iridium) which will retain constant contact with your things as they move.

Polar

Only established low earth orbit satellite constellations work well in the polar regions so you’re looking at Iridium.

Tab 4 Asset
Default

Data security is a priority but not necessarily a concern. Satellite data traffic is already relatively secure meeting most military and government security standards. But you may want to consider a public static LPS and/or completely configurable firewalls, to assist your data getting from A to B.

Mid-Level

If your application requires higher levels of security, it’s worth exploring data encryption options. You can encrypt data prior to transmission, send over satellite link and then decrypt once landed. With Ground Control you can also set up a VPN from our data centre direct to your server, creating a secure, virtual tunnel.

Private Network

If you require a completely private, secure network have a look at the SCADASat. This service offers customers their own dedicated frequency on the space segment – an extremely secure solution with relatively low OPEX costs. For Inmarsat and Iridium traffic, you can consider MPLS installation or leased-lines offering a private network solution.

Sat-IoT-Security

How we Connect Customers with Your Data

IT’S AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3.

Working with Ground Control

Whether you want to self-serve from beginning to end, or tap into Ground Control’s 20-plus years’ of experience, we’ve got you covered.

Select Hardware

RockBLOCK 9603 for small enclosures
Want to browse products? Head to our IoT product pages. Not sure what you need for your project, or want to talk through your options? We are a passionate team of entrepreneurs and engineers, we’ve worked on thousands of satellite IoT projects – we’re happy to talk about your project.

Choose Airtime

Satellite airtime
Once you’ve selected your preferred device, you’ll need airtime. We offer a credits-based pay-as-you-go system designed for proof of concept trials, as it keeps costs highly predictable and controlled. We also offer some of the best-priced airtime rates for Inmarsat and Iridium available today.

Manage data


All of our customers gain free access to Cloudloop. This is our network-agnostic, developer-friendly, subscription, device and data management platform.

Integrate directly into your eco system or consume the data via a customer-friendly, data rich UI. Or do both – you choose.

Build with us

   

Navigating the world of satellite IoT can be complex, but we're here to make it simple. Let us build your satellite IoT
connectivity strategy, while you continue building business.

   

Our trusted satellite network partners

Iridium

Through Iridium we're able to offer both SBD (Short Burst Data) and Certus services, delivering satellite IoT connectivity for devices and applications that require low-bandwidth data transfer.

Inmarsat

BGAN M2M provides reliable and secure data transfer, with low latency and high data speeds. Ideal for IoT applications that require real-time monitoring and control, serving customers in the maritime, aviation, and enterprise sectors.

Eutelsat

With its high-speed data transfer capabilities, Eutelsat Ka-band is ideal for IoT applications that require large amounts of data transfer, such as video streaming, and can support multiple IoT devices simultaneously.

Manage Devices and Data Remotely

Our comprehensive data and device management platform, Cloudloop, enables you to securely manage all devices across deployments and Iridium and Inmarsat networks, within a single window. With the platform, you can effortlessly activate and manage assets, gain valuable insights to optimise costs and identify issues early. We also offer well documented REST APIs, so you can ensure seamless integration with existing workflows.

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Cloudloop Screenshots for Navy BG

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

What sets Ground Control apart

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Connect anywhere

Stay connected no matter where your devices are located. Ensure you have full visibility of your operations, anywhere and everywhere.

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Affordable satellite coverage

We offer some of the most affordable and flexible airtime service plans in the industry. Enjoy the benefits of satellite connectivity without breaking the bank.

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Easy to use

You don’t need to be a technical expert to use our products. Our user-friendly solutions make it easy to manage and monitor your IoT devices.

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Rugged and durable

Tried and tested in extreme environments including the Australian desert, Antarctic and Atlantic Ocean, our devices work wherever you do.

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Real-time insights

Our intuitive platform Cloudloop lets you monitor devices and data usage in real-time. See which devices are working as expected and control those which aren’t, remotely.

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Expert support

Our team of seasoned experts is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Tailored advice through to technical support, we’ve got your covered.

FAQs

WHAT IS SATELLITE IOT, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Satellite IoT enables devices and sensors to communicate with each other via satellites. It enables businesses and individuals to connect and control their IoT devices from remote and hard-to-reach locations where traditional cellular networks are not available or unreliable.

Satellite IoT works by transmitting data from the device to a satellite, which then relays the information back to a ground station. The ground station then sends the data to the end user, who can access it through an application or a web interface.

Satellite IoT can be used in a wide range of applications, from environmental monitoring and precision agriculture to asset tracking and remote sensing. The technology is particularly useful for industries that require constant connectivity, such as maritime, aviation, and energy. It can also be used in emergency situations where communication networks have been disrupted or destroyed.

WHAT TYPES OF DEVICES CAN BE CONNECTED USING SATELLITE IOT?

Satellite IoT can be used to connect a wide variety of devices, including sensors, trackers, monitoring devices, and other IoT devices. These devices can transmit data on various parameters, such as location, temperature, humidity, pressure, and more. Satellite-enabled equipment is required to establish the connection – usually through a satellite modem or transceiver, for example, the RockBLOCK 9602.

Do Ground Control have their own delivery network?

Yes, we have our own delivery network for Iridium and Inmarsat traffic. This gives us complete control over our certified, state-of-the-art data paths, ensuring secure and reliable traffic delivery. With this network, we can provide our customers with real-time traffic monitoring and support.

Can satellite IoT be integrated with existing IoT networks?

Yes, satellite IoT can be integrated with existing systems and infrastructure using standard protocols and APIs, such as MQTT or RESTful APIs. This allows data transmitted by satellite IoT devices to be processed and analysed alongside data from other sources.

Can satellite IoT be used to complement LoRaWAN?

Yes, it is becoming more common to use satellite IoT as a backhaul or alternative to terrestrial network coverage, especially in areas where LoRaWAN gateways are not available or practical. This technology can provide connectivity to remote or inaccessible locations and mobile assets that move between areas with varying network coverage. Ground Control has introduced LoRaWAN data backhaul using satellite connectivity for a customer, which kept costs low while extending their network coverage. For full details, read our post.

Need help expanding your IoT application?

That's what we're here for. With offices in the UK and US, and over 20 years' experience delivering satellite and cellular connectivity, we can help you make the right choice for your requirements and budget.

Complete the form and one of our team will reply with objective, expert advice.