Viasat Launches “IoT Nano”: Satellite IoT for Global Connectivity Even in Remote Areas

Viasat, together with ORBCOMM, has launched “IoT Nano,” a new communications service for the Internet of Things (IoT) that enables companies worldwide to monitor and control their assets even in areas where there previously was no network coverage. “IoT Nano” is specifically designed for use in remote, infrastructure-light regions and offers cost-effective, bidirectional messaging with minimal energy and data consumption.

IoT Nano uses the global L-band satellite network from Viasat and the newly developed OGx platform from ORBCOMM to deliver messages faster, in larger data packets, and with lower power requirements. The primary target sectors are agriculture (e.g., remote control of machines and irrigation), transport and logistics (vehicle and container tracking), utilities (monitoring of electricity, water, and gas networks), mining, and environmental monitoring (measurement stations in hard-to-reach areas). The solution enables near real-time monitoring and control of assets, independent of conventional mobile networks.

Thanks to its low energy consumption, IoT Nano devices can operate with smaller solar panels and batteries, significantly reducing overall operating costs. In addition, Viasat offers manufacturers and OEMs the opportunity to develop their own hardware with embedded modules for a wide variety of IoT applications via its ELEVATE partner program.

Current Market Situation and Future Significance

Satellite-based IoT communication is set to become increasingly important in the coming years, as terrestrial networks only cover a fraction of the Earth’s surface. Advances in LEO satellites, hybrid networks, and energy-efficient end devices make it possible to connect ever more devices economically, even in remote regions. The market is currently in a dynamic growth phase: in 2025, global market volume is estimated at around $2.2–2.3 billion, with annual growth rates of over 19% until 2030. Falling launch costs, increased competition, and integration with terrestrial networks such as 5G and NB-IoT are also making satellite-based IoT solutions attractive to new industries.