M2M partners with Blue Sky Network to bring cost-effective IoT satellite connectivity to the Australian market

14 Sept, 2022

Australian IoT firm M2M Connectivity, a Sierra Wireless company, has signed a new channel partnership with global satellite technology company Blue Sky Network.

US-based Blue Sky Network is a leader in the development of satellite tracking systems and two-way communication for remote land, air and sea applications.

The partnership will focus on improving connectivity for agricultural, transport, mining, and utility companies. Use cases will include tracking and monitoring vehicles, drones, and people, as well as to provide back-up connectivity for critical communications.

Working with Blue Sky Network, M2M Connectivity will provide high quality, affordable dual-mode systems connecting over the Iridium Certus® 100 network. This solution will support mid-band IP data applications with 22kbps to 88kbps throughputs – targeting users needing IP connectivity but not the throughput speeds of higher-cost offerings.

The solution uses omnidirectional antennas making it far easier to deploy for both fixed and mobile IoT devices. Using dual mode connectivity, it will also switch from LTE, as primary connectivity, to Iridium Certus’ satellite network as a failover or when assets are out of cellular range.

“The arrival of lower cost satellite connectivity and a new generation of complementary sensors and devices is accelerating the speed at which IoT solutions can be cost effectively deployed,” said Daryl Chambers, Director at M2M Connectivity.

“Our partnership with Blue Sky Network will see M2M Connectivity taking the lead in this space and fill a large gap in the market by making satellite connectivity more accessible and affordable for a broader range of businesses and applications.”

The announcement strengthens M2M Connectivity’s Satellite IoT capability. In addition to Blue Sky Network, the firm’s partners include: Iridium, Globalstar, Inmarsat, Myriota and Skywave – an Orbcomm company.

“M2M Connectivity has a strong track record and established reputation as an IoT leader in the Australian market. We are looking forward to seeing the impact our partnership and technology can bring throughout the region,” said Jason Hicks, VP of Business Development, Blue Sky Network.

M2M Connectivity recently helped the Country Fire Authority enhance its critical communications systems using Satellite IoT, and worked with AssetLink Global LLC to launch its Small Vessel Monitoring Solution to equip small-scale fishing vessels with satellite monitoring systems.

M2M Connectivity will initially target Iridium resellers and the sale and distribution of Iridium Certus® 100 approved IoT devices, which are proven on Blue Sky Network’s system.