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u-blox and ORBCOMM have announced their partnership to develop solutions for the convergence of terrestrial and satellite IoT communications markets. The cellular and satellite IoT communications markets have experienced significant growth and are expected to continue growing in the coming years. According to reports, the number of cellular IoT connections is projected to reach around 5.5 billion by 2028, while the satellite IoT communications market is expected to triple by 2025.

By combining these two technologies, gap-free global connectivity for IoT communications becomes more attainable. The partnership between u-blox and ORBCOMM aims to bring highly-integrated, dual-connectivity solutions that can deliver on the promise of these markets’ fusion.

u-blox will integrate support for ORBCOMM’s satellite communication protocols into its UBX-R52/S52 LPWA modem SoC. This will result in a smaller, less complex chipset that offers dual connectivity at a lower cost. The chipset will be at the core of future u-blox module products, enabling connected solutions almost anywhere in the world.

This collaboration will cater to a variety of use cases, including asset tracking in logistics, retail, and manufacturing; tracking and telematics equipment for agriculture, construction, and mining; livestock tracking; and industrial sensors, among others. It will enable IoT devices to connect virtually anywhere on Earth, including remote locations, areas with poor cellular coverage, and isolated environments.

David Roscoe, Executive Vice President of Satellite Communications and Products at ORBCOMM, expressed excitement about the convergence of cellular and satellite technologies and the benefits it will bring to customers in the supply chain, heavy equipment, and agriculture industries. He highlighted the ubiquitous coverage, device simplicity, reliability, and longevity that this partnership can offer.

Martin Leach, Head of Product Center Cellular at u-blox, emphasized that the UBX-R52/S52 chipset is a mature technology platform with proven market acceptance. It is specifically designed for IoT applications with long lifecycle needs, further strengthening u-blox’s leadership in asset tracking. The partnership with ORBCOMM will expand the addressable market for IoT applications, including remote locations without reliable cellular coverage.

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