The machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) industries, and by extension the industries that are supported by remote monitoring, command and control of fixed and mobile assets, are some of the most rapidly expanding in the market today. And they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
However, I believe that, without the assistance of satellite communications, the industry is facing a wall that might be impossible to surmount – and the wall is connectivity, say David Wigglesworth, VP, internet of everywhere, Inmarsat.
Cellular services are often seen as the most economically and practically viable vehicle to underpin and enable M2M and IoT services, and in their coverage footprint, cellular services do make a compelling argument, with their ability to transport data at low cost and relatively high speeds. But, as demand for data complexity and therefore bandwidth for personal communications continues to rise, how long will it be before cellular networks are too congested to reliably enable data communications for remote assets?
Coverage too, is a key challenge for cellular networks. By design, cellular infrastructure is designed to serve population, not geography, becoming most prevalent in urban areas and less so in rural areas. One of the key potential benefits of M2M technology is the monitoring, tracking and control of assets in remote areas where manual inspection and operation becomes difficult and uneconomical. Remote wireless connectivity boosts operational efficiency and productivity, but with cellular coverage only reaching perhaps 10% of the earth’s surface, there is a limit to how far it can enable asset connectivity. Also, the majority of cellular networks are built on a national level, leaving an international business powered by M2M connectivity vulnerable to increased costs through roaming charges, and potentially extra administration and resource investment as they have to manage relationships with multiple connectivity providers.
My role at Inmarsat is VP, Internet of Everywhere, because I genuinely believe that satellite communications are the best route to delivering reliable, global M2M connectivity for fixed and mobile assets.
Satellite networks, such as Inmarsat’s global 3G IP L-band network, offer several key advantages over cellular connectivity, and can even work seamlessly with existing cellular provision within a business to extend M2M services across their entire asset network, or provide crucial backup if cellular connectivity is congested, damaged or not present.
All satellite networks operate differently, and there are multiple offerings from different providers that can fulfil different roles with the M2M connectivity space, but the main advantage global players like Inmarsat hold is that their communications footprint is worldwide, so we can seamlessly connect all of a user’s assets, even if they cross national borders, and again, without needing to pay potentially costly roaming fees.
Speaking specifically about Inmarsat here, another advantage that its satellite network can bring is diversity of service. Amongst satellite operators, Inmarsat has the most diverse portfolio of connectivity offerings in the M2M space, from low-data rate messaging services, typically used in industries like transportation for tracking and monitoring vehicles and cargo, to more data-intensive, real-time 3G IP connectivity, useful for real time monitoring and control of assets, for example recloser control in electricity distribution networks.
Reliability is another key differentiator when it comes to M2M connectivity. With assets dispersed often across many miles, businesses need to know that they can rely on their communications provider to deliver a resilient, always available service. Satellite technology doesn’t rely on a network of physical towers to deliver service as does cellular, so is therefore less vulnerable to damage to physical infrastructure. In fact, Inmarsat can offer businesses that rely on connectivity 99.9% availability over its satellite and ground network largely due to this lack of vulnerability coupled with the strength and resilience of its network. Our terminals too, which are used to access our communications services, are rugged, discreet and specifically designed to operate for long periods of time without maintenance or manual inspection, adding an extra layer of reassurance.
Satellite communications can offer a reliable, global connectivity ‘pipe’ to enable M2M operations, but that’s only half the story. In the market today, there’s a multiplicity of different data aggregators, sensors, software tools and M2M solutions to enable the collation and analysis of data received from fixed and mobile assets. This level of choice can often be confusing, and I believe that this is where satellite operators can add value. By partnering with innovative third-party providers and systems integrators, satellite operators can enable the delivery of tailored end-to-end solutions for businesses. This is a central component of my strategy for the M2M and IoT space. We’re already working with a number of key solutions providers, and we’re proud to certify their applications as ‘Inmarsat Ready’, meaning that they’ve been tested extensively for use with our connectivity services.
It’s these partnerships, coupled with the coverage, reliability and availability of satellite networks, and Inmarsat’s in particular; that I believe will drive the M2M and IoT industries well into the future.
The author of this blog is David Wigglesworth, VP internet of everywhere, Inmarsat