A recent study by Juniper Research indicates that the number of satellites capable of supporting IoT connectivity will increase by 150% over the next five years. The report projects a rise from 10,000 satellites in 2024 to over 24,000 by 2029, driven by the growing need for connectivity in remote locations by IoT network users. It also predicts that 98% of these satellites launched in the next five years will be low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, due to the relatively low cost of launches.
To meet the rising demand for satellite IoT connectivity, the study advocates for significant investment in multi-orbit satellite solutions. This approach combines the low latency and high throughput of LEO satellites with the broad geographical coverage of geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites within a single service. Such a model will allow satellite IoT providers to address a wide range of IoT use cases, including data-intensive and low power, wide area (LPWA) connections.
The study also advises satellite network operators to establish strategic partnerships to bridge coverage gaps between LEO and GEO capabilities. It highlights the construction, infrastructure, and logistics sectors as key growth areas. The diverse connectivity needs, such as those for nomadic operations and conditional monitoring, necessitate the use of both LEO and GEO satellites for comprehensive service provision. Partnerships facilitating the integration of LEO and GEO satellites for IoT networks will be crucial for attracting enterprise users in these sectors.
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