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In this first episode of BICS’ Tech for 20 podcast, Luc Vidal-Madjar, Head of IoT and Roaming Solutions explains how satellites are paving the way to the IoT revolution for OEMs. Listen now to find out how NTNs are reshaping connectivity globally.
IoT technology has enabled a wide range of innovative solutions across industries, from manufacturing and logistics to smart devices in homes. But these all rely on constant global connectivity, which is not always easy to establish using traditional mobile networks. For original equipment manufacturers, global connectivity is an absolute priority, but it is not always their area of expertise. With non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), OEMs have a new solution to the connectivity problem. Satellites are fast becoming the gateway to uninterrupted connectivity for IoT devices, with little hassle for an #OEM and great value for their customers.
Luc Vidal is an expert in launching and growing international businesses, with a focus on IoT, telecom, and mobile ecosystems. With over 25 years of experience, he has a strong background in product management, business development, sales, strategy, and operations. Luc has worked in Singapore, the UK, the USA, Spain, and Belgium, bringing innovative technologies to market. He has led teams, managed business lines, and co-founded a start-up, always driving growth and value through new tech.
One major hurdle for OEMs is ensuring global connectivity for their hardware, which is essential as products are manufactured in one location and sold globally. Luc emphasizes that OEMs need simple, reliable connectivity solutions to focus on their core business—hardware and applications. BICS offers a comprehensive global IoT solution that embeds connectivity into the hardware directly from the factory, simplifying deployment and management for OEMs. These solutions also allow OEMs to monetize their IoT applications with flexible business models and value-added services such as security analytics and digital twins.
Luc highlights a critical gap in terrestrial connectivity, covering only 10% of the Earth’s surface, leaving vast areas underserved. Satellite connectivity, particularly through partnerships like BICS’ collaboration with Skylo, fills this void. This partnership leverages Skylo’s geostationary satellite network, covering 13.7 million square miles of land and sea, providing a seamless global IoT connectivity solution. Luc explains that with the latest standard (Release 17 by 3GPP), regular IoT devices can now communicate directly with satellites through a simple firmware update. This advancement allows OEMs to deploy their IoT products anywhere, ensuring continuous connectivity even in the most remote areas, and significantly enhances the capabilities and reliability of IoT solutions for industries such as logistics, maritime, and mining.
Luc shares real-world examples, such as a logistics company in North America using BICS’ satellite-enabled IoT solutions to track shipments across vast distances, even in areas without cellular coverage. This capability boosts connectivity from 50% to 100%, providing a significant competitive advantage. Luc also differentiates between low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, explaining that GEO satellites, like those used by Skylo, offer longer lifespans and more stable connections, making them ideal for long-term IoT deployments. Ultimately, the seamless integration of satellite and terrestrial networks ensures that OEMs can achieve truly global, reliable, and straightforward IoT connectivity, enhancing their ability to innovate and grow in a connected world.