Satellite aims for blast-off in IoT
This report is available to those subscribed to the IoT & Enterprise or Fixed, TV and Convergence modules.
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).
Related research
Satellite and NTN tracker, Q2 2025
The entry of Amazon’s Kuiper represented the biggest competitive development in the satellite space in Q2 2025. This is set against the backdrop of 2025 being a key year for the commercialisation of telco-satellite partnerships.
MWC Shanghai 2025: a window into the future?
MWC Shanghai is in the books for another year, having attracted 45,000 visitors (from 12,500 companies), along with 400 exhibitors and partner groups. The numbers were up from the 2024 event by 13% and 92% respectively. This analysis highlights the key takeaways and implications from meetings, summits and announcements at the event – and in particular, whether the progress seen in China can be mapped to other regions.
Satellite and NTN tracker, Q1 2025
Direct to cell continues to be the main attraction for operators due to the monetisation opportunities from an extended coverage footprint. IoT is an interesting storyline in 2025 given that the latest standards (Release 19) incorporate new functionality for non-terrestrial network services geared at IoT applications such as sensors, telematics and energy monitoring.
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
Satellite and NTN tracker, Q2 2025
The entry of Amazon’s Kuiper represented the biggest competitive development in the satellite space in Q2 2025. This is set against the backdrop of 2025 being a key year for the commercialisation of telco-satellite partnerships.
MWC Shanghai 2025: a window into the future?
MWC Shanghai is in the books for another year, having attracted 45,000 visitors (from 12,500 companies), along with 400 exhibitors and partner groups. The numbers were up from the 2024 event by 13% and 92% respectively. This analysis highlights the key takeaways and implications from meetings, summits and announcements at the event – and in particular, whether the progress seen in China can be mapped to other regions.
Satellite and NTN tracker, Q1 2025
Direct to cell continues to be the main attraction for operators due to the monetisation opportunities from an extended coverage footprint. IoT is an interesting storyline in 2025 given that the latest standards (Release 19) incorporate new functionality for non-terrestrial network services geared at IoT applications such as sensors, telematics and energy monitoring.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics