Programme will accelerate availability of IoT solutions across commercial land markets by providing connectivity and support framework to innovators

Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has today launched its Application and Solution Provider (ASP) Programme, an ecosystem for providers of software, hardware and solutions, as well as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in commercial land markets. ASPs will gain access to Inmarsat’s global satellite connectivity and regional presence to scale their solutions into new sectors and geographies. The development of the ecosystem will ensure that companies operating in areas without reliable connectivity, or with mission-critical connectivity needs, are able to access a broad choice of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to enhance the efficiency, safety and sustainability of their businesses.

The ASP Programme launches with two innovative partners on board and with plans to bring more partners in over the coming months. Australian-based agri-tech IoT innovators Farmbot Monitoring Solutions are on a high-growth trajectory within Australia and have been working with Inmarsat for more than a year. MinFarm Tech are a Swedish-owned engineering product company, focused on supporting hardware engineering for extreme environments.

The programme is open to new entrants, disruptors and established brands of any size who have developed an innovative digital product or service but may need additional support to exploit the benefits of satellite-enabled IoT solutions. Inmarsat will provide dedicated technical guidance on how to integrate and support its highly-reliable satellite services, go-to-market strategy planning and exposure to the Inmarsat distribution channel to enable access to new markets. Providers working across a highly diverse range of industries, including agriculture, aid and NGO, energy, exploration and leisure, media, mining, transport and utilities as well as agnostic technology providers will be considered for membership.

Commenting on the ASP Programme, Mike Carter, President, Enterprise at Inmarsat, said: “Inmarsat and our partners have been pioneering satellite enabled IoT for a number of years. With this new initiative we are set to accelerate the roll out of IoT into remote areas of the world where the data points might be the most valuable. Key to this acceleration is the provision of innovative turnkey solutions that our ASPs are creating, along with Inmarsat’s reliable connectivity, to ensure that the IoT solution works wherever it is needed.”

“We are seeing a huge increase in technological innovation from providers working in different sectors to develop new IoT products and solutions that need reliable connectivity to function,” Carter continued. “The ASP Programme is a flexible initiative to nurture those relationships that fit each organisation’s specific needs, either directly or through one of our main distribution partners. Some providers may simply need reliable satellite connectivity while others might benefit from deeper involvement to expand their business globally, such as helping to homologate an IoT solution for distribution into a specific country or additional marketing and sales enablement. It is this level of direct engagement and ongoing support that will help to ensure long-term growth and success for all partners, and this will be invaluable for us to continue driving global IoT innovation and adoption across our core sectors.”

Stephen Lynam, CEO, of MinFarm Tech, one of Inmarsat’s new ASPs, said: “Joining Inmarsat’s ASP initiative has given us access to their global channel which has been key in gaining access to new markets. MinFarm Tech is dedicated to enabling LoRaWAN™ to work seamlessly over satellite networks. We are very excited to partner with Inmarsat and CPN to deliver the MF 400 IoT Satellite Bridge product which enables LoRaWAN to be used over IDP for the first time. This product will enable customers to pick a truly global and trusted satellite service provider in Inmarsat.”

Andrew Coppin, Managing Director, Farmbot Monitoring Solutions added: “Being involved with Inmarsat's ASP project is an exciting step forward in the development of Farmbot solutions. It has the potential to improve significantly the management of critical water resources for farmers worldwide, resulting in tangible productivity gains, carbon reduction and ultimately more sustainable outcomes. We look forward to announcing the development of on-demand cameras for farmers over the coming months."