The partnership will enable IoT devices to operate on cellular when a signal is available, and automatically switch to satellite when cell service is available. As a result, businesses no longer need to purchase their cellular and satellite services separately – they can use both to manage their IoT devices, networks and applications.
"We're offering a one-stop shop for IoT connectivity," said Mike Troiano, vice president, AT&T IoT Solutions. "Our customers now have a flexible, reliable and highly secure service to monitor their assets nearly anywhere. They don't have to choose one connectivity solution over the other – they can have the full package."
Jon Kirchner, senior VP of products and corporate strategy of Globecomm, said businesses demand more real-time visibility into their assets on a global scale. "We're working with AT&T to offer near-seamless connectivity over a single platform. We're helping businesses collect and analyse critical information wherever their assets are – to generate operational improvements and hard ROI – on land or at sea," he added.
Research firm Gartner forecasts that the number of connected things will increase 30% to 6.4 billion in 2016. According to Markets and Markets, those with satellite connectivity are expected to grow 9.8% per year over the next four years.
