Trend 1: True global coverage is on the horizon
Imagine a world where you never lose connection. For those living in urban areas with strong 5G networks, this may already feel like a reality. However, significant coverage gaps still exist across the globe – particularly in remote and hard-to-reach regions. While losing signal is an inconvenience for individuals, it has bigger implications for the IoT world. Industries such as logistics and agriculture, which rely on tracking data and real-time updates, are particularly affected by the lack of reliable coverage in areas like open seas or deserts. Without secure network access, location tracking and real-time data transmission become nearly impossible.
Fortunately, this challenge may soon be a thing of the past. Recent breakthroughs in satellite connectivity have made true global coverage a realistic possibility. Until recently, the proprietary nature and high costs of satellite infrastructure posed substantial barriers to adoption. However, new interoperability standards and technological advances have made it possible for terrestrial networks, like 5G, to integrate with satellite-based networks, keeping devices connected anywhere on the planet.
This integration is key. Satellite connectivity will not replace terrestrial networks but will complement them by filling in connectivity gaps where terrestrial infrastructure is limited. Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations are particularly well suited for this purpose; positioned closer to Earth than traditional satellites, they provide low-latency, high-speed connections that are ideal for real-time IoT applications. In the transport and logistics sector, for example, this means that IoT devices on cargo ships or remote freight routes can remain connected at all times, enabling constant tracking regardless of location.
Beyond industrial applications, satellite-enabled IoT opens up new possibilities for environmental conservation. There are already inspiring examples of IoT being used to track endangered species, and expanding coverage to previously inaccessible areas will enrich these efforts, giving conservationists more opportunities to monitor and protect wildlife populations.