Satellite aims for blast-off in IoT

Access this insight with a Premium plan. Contact our sales team to get started.
Report details
Satellite aims for blast-off in IoT
For many years, L-Band satellite transmissions have serviced a range of verticals, including logistics, agriculture, and aerospace. Pricing has remained prohibitively expensive, which has inhibited the widespread use of satellite technology. The playing field is now changing though, following the recent regulatory approval of low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations from SpaceX and OneWeb, along with the entrance of Amazon as a competitor. These lower-altitude, higher-density networks will achieve faster speeds and lower latencies. Costs to end users will be structurally lower than existing tariffs, helped by several supply-side innovations: smaller form factors, automated production lines and vertical integration efficiencies (SpaceX, for example, owns the rockets to launch its satellites).
Report details
Satellite aims for blast-off in IoT
Related research
The Limits of D2D
Direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity has emerged as a notable development in the mobile ecosystem, promising to extend basic mobile services beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. It has the potential to enhance coverage in remote and underserved areas and to provide an additional layer of resilience for emergency communications. While the technology has clear benefits, is advancing rapidly and is attracting significant attention, its practical role remains constrained by fundamental limitations in capacity and spectral efficiency. This report examines the impact of different constellation and spectrum scenarios on D2D’s capabilities.
Satellite and NTN tracker, Q4 2025
Satellite constellation volume ramped up in H2 2025, in preparation for phased commercial launches in 2026. The focus continues to be on direct-to-device (D2D). Starlink has deployed almost 80% of its initial 12,000-strong constellation. Amazon and AST SpaceMobile are among the chasing pack. Both have big aspirations for their constellations but have different motivations.
NTN in consumer mobile: consumer attitudes to direct-to-handset services
Consumers are beginning to adopt services powered by hybrid cellular/satellite connectivity. However, the revenue opportunity for telecoms operators and satellite partners hinges on consumers' willingness to pay.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
The Limits of D2D
Direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity has emerged as a notable development in the mobile ecosystem, promising to extend basic mobile services beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. It has the potential to enhance coverage in remote and underserved areas and to provide an additional layer of resilience for emergency communications. While the technology has clear benefits, is advancing rapidly and is attracting significant attention, its practical role remains constrained by fundamental limitations in capacity and spectral efficiency. This report examines the impact of different constellation and spectrum scenarios on D2D’s capabilities.
Satellite and NTN tracker, Q4 2025
Satellite constellation volume ramped up in H2 2025, in preparation for phased commercial launches in 2026. The focus continues to be on direct-to-device (D2D). Starlink has deployed almost 80% of its initial 12,000-strong constellation. Amazon and AST SpaceMobile are among the chasing pack. Both have big aspirations for their constellations but have different motivations.
NTN in consumer mobile: consumer attitudes to direct-to-handset services
Consumers are beginning to adopt services powered by hybrid cellular/satellite connectivity. However, the revenue opportunity for telecoms operators and satellite partners hinges on consumers' willingness to pay.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
