Telecommunications firm Telesat Communications experiences a 35% increase in SPOT and satellite IoT device sales in the year 2024 compared to the previous year.
The UK-based wireless and satellite technology reseller, Global Telesat Communications (GTC), has reported a significant surge in sales of Globalstar SPOT and satellite IoT devices. According to GTC's managing director, David Phipps, this increase is primarily driven by the ease of use and economical price of Globalstar's devices, which have facilitated an accelerated uptake.
In May 2024, GTC reached a total of 45,000 Globalstar device sales overall, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This milestone was shortly after Globalstar announced the 10,000th rescue worldwide, thanks to the reliable and ubiquitous satellite-enabled tracking and SOS capabilities in Globalstar's product portfolio.
The new sales of Globalstar devices are coming from a mix of individual consumers, organisations, and commercial customers such as utilities suppliers, civil and national defence organisations, and humanitarian aid NGOs. Notably, GTC has received orders for a large number of SmartOne C units from a customer to monitor oil and gas pipelines.
The increased sales are not limited to the SPOT Gen4, SPOT X, SPOT Trace, and SmartOne C devices, but also include Globalstar's commercial IoT devices. The uptake of Globalstar's commercial IoT devices by GTC has been continuous, with GTC reporting an increase in sales of the SmartOne C in particular.
Mark O'Connell, the EMEA and APAC general manager of Globalstar, has commented on GTC's ongoing success. He attributes this success to the versatile product offerings provided by Globalstar, which include next-generation IoT hardware and cloud-based software solutions that support smart data processing and analytics.
The surge in sales is also linked to the growing industry demand for satellite IoT solutions. There is accelerating adoption of satellite IoT solutions across industries for real-time asset tracking, monitoring, and data communication. This demand is fueled by innovations in edge computing, smart sensors, and digital twins, which enhance the value of IoT connectivity.
Globalstar's launch of two-way satellite IoT solutions via its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation has been a key milestone. This enhancement in real-time data capabilities and greater functionality has attracted more commercial users.
Collaborations, such as with Apple for direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity and governmental partnerships including with the U.S. Army, have also boosted the relevance and market reach of Globalstar's devices.
The proliferation of LEO satellites, including Globalstar’s constellation, supports low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity that particularly benefits underserved and remote areas, making satellite IoT devices increasingly viable and attractive for various applications.
In conclusion, the surge in SPOT and satellite IoT device sales is primarily driven by technological advancements in two-way LEO satellite communication, evolving IoT industry needs, strategic partnerships, and the expanding ecosystem that supports real-time, reliable connectivity especially suited for remote and critical-use scenarios.
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[2] Globalstar. (2024). Globalstar Reports Record Sales and Rescue Milestone. Retrieved from https://www.globalstar.com/news/globalstar-reports-record-sales-and-rescue-milestone
[3] Satellite Today. (2023). Globalstar Launches Two-Way Satellite IoT Solution. Retrieved from https://www.satellitetoday.com/telecoms/2023/05/globalstar-launches-two-way-satellite-iot-solution/
[4] SpaceNews. (2023). Globalstar Partners with Apple for Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Connectivity. Retrieved from https://spacenews.com/globalstar-partners-with-apple-for-direct-to-mobile-satellite-connectivity/
- The increased sales of Globalstar devices at GTC are attributed to technological advancements in two-way LEO satellite communication, which has attracted more commercial users in the industry, particularly in sectors such as utilities suppliers, civil and national defense organizations, and humanitarian aid NGOs.
- The uptake of Globalstar's commercial IoT devices by GTC is driven by the versatile product portfolio that includes next-generation IoT hardware and cloud-based software solutions, supporting smart data processing and analytics, which is fueling the growing demand for satellite IoT solutions across various industries.
