Satellite IoT Subscribers to Reach 23.9 Million in 2027

The global satellite IoT communications sector is experiencing steady growth, with the worldwide satellite IoT subscriber base exceeding 4.5 million in 2022. Forecasts indicate a robust upward trajectory, with the number of satellite IoT subscribers projected to surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.6 percent, ultimately reaching 23.9 million units by 2027. Stay well-informed regarding the latest developments and trends in the satellite IoT landscape.

In 2022, the global satellite IoT subscriber base already surpassed the 4.5 million mark. Projections indicate that this growth will continue at an impressive CAGR of 39.6 percent, culminating in a substantial total of 23.9 million units by 2027. It's worth noting that merely 10 percent of the Earth's surface currently enjoys access to terrestrial connectivity services, highlighting the vast potential for satellite-based IoT communications.

Satellite connectivity serves as a valuable complement to terrestrial networks, particularly in remote areas. This technology proves particularly advantageous for various applications, such as agriculture, asset tracking, maritime and intermodal transportation, oil and gas industry exploration, utilities, construction, and government operations.

Notably, the IoT connectivity market has attracted the interest of both established satellite operators and over two dozen emerging initiatives.

Iridium, Orbcomm, Inmarsat and Globalstar are the largest satellite IoT network operators today

Iridium grew its subscriber base by 20 percent in the last year and reached the number one spot serving 1.5 million subscribers. Originally a dedicated satellite operator, Orbcomm has transitioned into an end-to-end solution provider, delivering services on its own satellite network as well as being a reseller partner of Inmarsat and others.

At the end of Q4-2022, the company had 1.1 million satellite IoT subscribers on its own and Inmarsat's networks. At the same time, Globalstar reached 0.44 million subscribers. Other players with connections in the tens of thousands include for instance Myriota in Australia, Kineis in France and Thuraya in the UAE. In addition to the incumbent satellite operators, a number of new initiatives have appeared on the market recently.

Examples of some high-profile projects are Astrocast, AST SpaceMobile, CASC/CASIC, E-Space, Fleet Space Technologies, Hubble Network, Kepler Communications, Kineis, Ligado Networks, Lynk, Myriota, Omnispace, Skylo, Swarm Technologies (SpaceX) and Totum. Many of these are based on low-earth orbit nano satellite concepts.

While some rely on proprietary satellite connectivity technologies to support IoT devices, several are starting to leverage terrestrial wireless IoT connectivity technologies including OQ Technology, AST SpaceMobile, Omnispace, Sateliot, Galaxy Space, Ligado Networks, Lynk, Skylo and Starlink (3GPP 4G/5G); EchoStar Mobile, Fossa Systems, Lacuna Space, Innova Space and Eutelsat (LoRaWAN); and Hubble Network (Bluetooth).

Collaborations between satellite operators and mobile operators that explore new hybrid satellite-terrestrial connectivity opportunities will become common in the next years and recent examples include Telefonica & Sateliot, Deutsche Telekom & Intelsat/Skylo and Soracom & Astrocast.