Another key consideration is the availability of technical personnel when it comes to deployment. Few countries can depend entirely on specialist teams, which is why they look for intuitive solutions that are easy to implement and maintain. For this country, that meant low-cost, low-power satellite terminals, capable of integrating a satellite modem with a flat-panel antenna. The advantage of these terminals is that they work with both Ku- and Ka-band frequencies — helping to increase bandwidth, improve data processing and signal quality, and reduce latency and costs. In addition to eliminating the need for investment in additional infrastructure, it has also enabled seamless integration with existing sensors and systems.

Choosing the Right Technology and RF Band

Demand for innovative solutions is fueling rapid development of new technologies in the satellite IoT market. The danger, of course, is that we’ll end up with a patchwork of different solutions without interoperability. For developing countries in particular, new solutions should continue to deliver value for money over the long term without further investment.

The versatility of satellite IoT is one of its strengths. Users can take advantage of different technologies and frequency bands depending on the application and environment. On the technology side, it’s important to consider the satellite's orbital placement (i.e., GEO, MEO, or LEO), the architecture of the satellite network, and the modulation and coding schemes.

Depending on the band you choose, there’s likely to be a trade-off between cost, performance, and its suitability for harsh environments, as outlined below. Ka/Ku Bands, for example, enable faster data transmission due to their higher bandwidth and are suitable for broadband services. These bands have traditionally been more susceptible to performance degradation in poor weather conditions, such as rain fade, but recent improvements in satellite technology and ground infrastructure technology have made them more reliable.

L-Band users can expect better penetration and reliability as well as less atmospheric interference, so it’s well-suited to critical communications. The main limitation is lower bandwidth. The ISM band, meanwhile, is unlicensed and free, catering to those looking for low-cost IoT applications. The drawback is signal interference because of all the devices operating within its range. Finally, VHF benefits from extensive coverage and low power consumption to aid long-distance communication. However, its suitability for IoT applications is limited due to low data rates and the potential for congestion.

Public-private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships in both developed and developing nations to date demonstrate the role that industry can play in helping governments tackle major challenges linked to long-standing connectivity issues and the challenges of mitigating the negative effects of climate change. The technology powering satellite IoT is reaching a new level of maturity, with more use cases to reassure stakeholders and, crucially, lower costs to implement. At the same time, innovation continues apace, fueled by demand from governments and international organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA).

As we’ve seen, high costs that would once have been an insurmountable barrier can now be overcome with low-cost hardware, 5G, and by using existing capacity and infrastructure. This means that developing countries can build resilience in the face of worsening climate change. There is no single solution. It will involve close collaboration between different technology companies, tailoring their solutions to different challenges while ensuring interoperability so that governments, particularly those in developing nations, can get the most from their technology for years to come. This approach will ultimately enable communities and governments to enhance their resilience and protect lives and livelihoods against the growing threat of natural disasters.