New FreeWave Research Reveals Satellite-Enabled IIoT Connectivity Gains Traction

FreeWave State of Connectivity 2024 Report reveals that surging amounts of data from IIoT sensors is forcing the hand of industrial operators in remote locations to consider satellite connectivity, with leaders split evenly on why.

FreeWave Technologies, a pioneer in industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions, today released the FreeWave State of Connectivity 2024 Report, which asked 200 IT and network decision-makers on the impact of satellite networks on IIoT connectivity.

The report revealed that satellite connectivity is front and center in helping them overcome the challenges of environmental and IIoT connectivity as data in transit surges. The study finds that the increasing number of edge devices are clearly driving the need for reliable, low cost and easy-to-use communications.

Additionally, the survey indicates that leveraging satellite networks for IIoT connectivity would be a long-sought game-changer for the respondents, “enabling them to collect, analyze and act on IIoT data in real-time while saving costs and eliminating spotty communications and rugged regions.”

“The IIoT landscape is changing so rapidly that companies search for the right solutions to not only collect but distribute the mass amounts of data collected and distill it to something actionable. The research points to customers having a clear understanding of the possibility of satellite connectivity playing a role in network performance and the success of their IIoT initiatives,” said Mike Tate, FreeWave’s COO and VP of sales and marketing.

Tate added that satellite connectivity, now a cost-effective and robust option, provides so many benefits in the remote network game.

“In our conversations with decision makers, we hear that data democratization and data ownership are extremely urgent factors in selecting a vendor. The need to connect the insights within the data at the edge, and share it not just with IT or OT managers, but a variety of people within the organization who may not have had access to that data in the past is critical. The need for that data to go where, how and when they need it – and have a say in that path – is paramount. FreeWave’s leadership in remote network monitor and control with, now our data platform and satellite-connected solutions is playing a vital role in helping companies achieve exponential efficiency and productivity gains.”

Here are a few report highlights:

Top Priority: Quick, Reliable and Secure IIoT Data Transmission
Four in 10 respondents felt transporting IIoT data quickly, reliably and securely from remote locations was a top priority. 32% felt that IIoT data should be accessed on a robust data platform, while 28% said analysts should support decision-making. Robust Demand Seen for Satellite-Enabled IIoT Connectivity
Over one-third (34%) of respondents strongly desired to improve connectivity by using satellite links to transmit IIoT data. The same percentage of respondents said sending data from distant locations to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems was equally important. Also, 32% said connecting remote networks is a priority, particularly for challenging environments such as rough terrain, severe weather and inconsistent electrical power. Barriers to IIoT Connectivity
37% of respondents identified improving environmental and IIoT connectivity as their most significant challenge. A similar percentage said their top challenge was to connect devices and sensors in the field without excessive management overhead. Senior Leaders Seek Improvement in Edge Access
Accessing network edge data – where much of IIoT data can be found – is an area that 4 in 10 decision-makers would improve. Changes Sought for Satellite Communications
36% of respondents said shifting to satellite-based networking would make the most significant connectivity change. About the same percentage said the next biggest change is to use satellite communications for monitoring SCADA networks in harsh locations, while 31% said low-cost IIoT connectivity enabled by satellite communications is their most important change.

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