Astrocast provides Soracom
customers access to global Satellite IoT
connectivity
July 27, 2022
Astrocast announced a
partnership to embed the Astrocast Satellite IoT
(SatIoT) solution into the Soracom platform. This
collaboration enables Soracom to offer integrators
and end customers blended IoT connectivity options
that comprise satellite and cellular connectivity.
Since 85% of the globe has zero cellular coverage,
Astrocast’s SatIoT solution will provide a key
component to Soracom’s 20,000 plus customers across
the world; with devices in areas where cellular
coverage does not reach. Organisations can access
Astrocast SatIoT by subscribing to the Soracom
platform, taking advantage of the seamless, secure
integration to a choice of cloud services. They will
be able to make use of Soracom’s blended
connectivity options or SatIoT alone.
Astrocast’s cost
effective global SatIoT will enable Soracom’s
customers to derive more value from their IoT
investments. An array of organisations and use cases
– of all sizes and types – will benefit from SatIoT
connectivity. This range includes Smart Agriculture,
preventive maintenance and asset tracking.
Satellite IoT Solution
Requirements
When Soracom was searching for
a satellite IoT provider, several factors were
important. Of note, this included global coverage,
the cost model, the power efficiency of devices that
would connect to the SatIoT network and, very
importantly, the ease of operation of the Astrocast
SatIoT platform and its integration into the Soracom
solution.
Global coverage: From truly
remote locations to goods in transit, SatIoT needs
to deliver global connectivity that complements the
existing cellular network options.
Affordability: IoT operations
are incredibly cost sensitive. Whether a business is
looking to deploy ten devices or hundreds of
thousands of devices, tiny differences in cost,
performance and lifetime will fundamentally change
the return on investment (ROI).
Power consumption: The
efficiency of power consumption has a direct impact
on device battery life. With devices typically
located in remote and inaccessible locations, it is
crucial to maximise battery life, because making
replacements or repairs is often impractical and
unaffordable. A low power SatIoT solution will
radically extend the life of a device – with
batteries typically lasting between five and ten
years.
Bidirectional communication:
Two-way communication is essential both to underpin
innovative IoT applications and enable changes to
the way the device operates. For example, a business
can send a short message to change a device’s
operating parameters – reducing the number of times
each day a temperature recording is taken, from once
an hour to just twice a day, would reduce power
consumption, and extend battery life further.
Effective integration: To
ensure SatIoT’s commercial viability on the Soracom
platform requires seamless integration, ensuring
organisations can gain transparent access to IoT
data irrespective of the underlying network.
Astrocast’s proven API ensured a rapid interface
development, enabling Soracom to add the SatIoT
connectivity option for its customers.
The Astrocast Satellite IoT
solution has been embedded into the Soracom
platform.
“This is only the beginning of
our journey with Astrocast. The power of IoT to
transform operations is indisputable. What has been
achieved to date is compelling; but there is so much
more that can be achieved together. With an
affordable and accessible IoT platform, Soracom’s
addition of Astrocast SatIoT will transform the ease
with which integrators and businesses of all sizes
can explore the power of SatIoT.
says Kenta Yasukawa, CTO, Soracom
“We want to work together with
Astrocast, and our clients, to accelerate innovation
by combining our joint depths of insight, and
knowledge of IoT; with the expertise of individuals
on the ground that are developing and using IoT for
the integrators and customers that we work for. This
way, we can ensure the most effective deployment of
IoT”, explains Kenta Yasukawa.
“With 83% of organisations
claiming to have improved efficiency by introducing
IoT technology, it is little wonder that IoT
solutions have the potential to generate $4-11
trillion in economic value by 2025. This is the
first time a well-established communication provider
like Soracom is expanding its global reach with
satellite connectivity.” says Fabien Jordan, CEO and
Co-Founder, Astrocast
“Furthermore, there is a
significant pent up demand across many industries
for IoT deployments across the 85% of the globe that
currently has zero cellular coverage. The
availability of cost effective, low power,
bidirectional satellite technology is providing new
opportunities for an array of organisations and use
cases. The accessibility of the Soracom platform
with Satellite IoT will give many integrators and
organisations a chance to explore and develop a new
dimension to their IoT platform”, explains Fabien
Jordan.
|