ABI Research has awarded eight satellite operators the prestigious “Hot Tech Innovator” title for their contributions to the satellite IoT industry. This recognition highlights the operators' efforts in advancing the satellite IoT ecosystem through the development of new standards-based services and significant investments in IoT-compatible constellations.
Globalstar has been acknowledged for its affordable IoT services, particularly in asset tracking. The company is set to introduce a new two-way messaging offering, enhancing its legacy of low-cost, low-data communications. Additionally, Globalstar's LTE and 5G terrestrial spectrum for private networks positions it as a comprehensive connectivity provider.
Iridium has focused on multi-mode capabilities, launching its own 3GPP NTN service in January 2024. This service is expected to reshape the competitive landscape, directly competing with similar offerings from fellow Hot Tech Innovators, Sateliot and OQ Technology. Both Sateliot and OQ Technology are at the forefront of 3GPP NTN adoption, building LEO constellations and forming strategic partnerships with major MNOs and MVNOs.
The LoRa NTN standard is also gaining traction in the IoT sector. EchoStar Mobile and Lacuna Space are leading the charge, with EchoStar Mobile focusing on a pan-European LoRa NTN and Lacuna Space expanding its constellation into new markets.
Starlink, with its impressive mega-constellation of 6,791 LEO satellites, plans to launch an IoT service in 2025. However, it faces competition from Amazon Project Kuiper, which is investing heavily in its own LEO satellite constellation to support a wide range of services, including IoT.
“A satellite operator’s success in the IoT market depends on various factors, including the size of its constellation, its orbital regime, and its chosen protocols,” says Lizzie Stokes, Senior Analyst at ABI Research. “Each operator recognized in this report has demonstrated a deep understanding of the IoT’s constraints and has prioritized offerings that will attract more IoT users to the non-terrestrial market.”
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