Getting remote IoT deployments up and running can be a challenging task. If you’re working in harsh environments, isolated locations or areas with limited infrastructure, finding a way to connect your devices reliably can quickly present big hurdles.
You may be trying to monitor pipeline pressure in a remote valley, gather soil data from a stretch of farmland with no mobile signal or keep track of assets across a vast, off-grid area. Whatever your use case, if your devices can’t establish a connection, any data they collect remains out of reach and scaling your solution becomes much more complicated than in more infrastructure-dense locations.
It’s in situations like these where NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) LoRaWAN® offers significant advantages. By extending LoRaWAN® coverage beyond the limitations of terrestrial networks, NTNs open the door to simpler and more scalable remote IoT deployments.
In this blog, we’ll explore how NTN LoRaWAN® works and why it’s so well-suited to remote IoT applications. We’ll also look at the technologies that help overcome some of the toughest connectivity challenges, even when there’s no clear view of the sky.
What Makes Remote IoT Deployments So Difficult
If you’ve ever tried to connect any device out in the middle of nowhere, you’ll know it’s rarely straightforward. There’s often limited or no mobile signal, no fibre, and no infrastructure to build on. Instead, you have a lot of open space. But there’s also a lot of potential.
The underlying issue is that traditional networks weren’t really designed for remote or challenging locations. Terrestrial networks like cellular and fibre don’t typically extend into these areas. Doing so can be expensive, impractical or, sometimes, outright impossible. Even if coverage looks good on paper, it doesn’t always reach the exact spot where your devices need to be.
Then there’s power. Devices in the field usually rely on batteries and need to last for years without anyone needing to visit. That rules out energy-hungry communications and makes efficiency a top priority.
Check out our blog on low-power connectivity from space to learn more about the importance of efficiency in remote IoT deployments.
In addition, usually, it’s not just one or two devices you need to deploy. Sometimes, it can be thousands, spread over a wide area. Once these are all set up, you need an efficient way to monitor and manage them. It’s a big ask, but one that remote IoT has to meet if it’s going to deliver lasting value.
The NTN LoRaWAN® Advantage
When you need to connect devices in places far beyond the edge of traditional networks, NTN LoRaWAN® offers a smart alternative. It builds on the well-established LoRaWAN® standard, developed and maintained by the non-profit technology alliance, the LoRa Alliance®.
The recent introduction of NTN into the LoRaWAN® standard means that the technology no longer relies solely on ground-based gateways. It can also use satellite to carry data from device to network. Therefore, coverage is no longer limited by where towers are placed or where fibre runs.
And because there’s no need for additional on-site infrastructure, you avoid the task of sourcing, powering and maintaining your own gateways. That means fewer installation steps, less ongoing upkeep and a much simpler path to getting your deployment operational.
For remote IoT, these advantages deliver a big win! Devices can operate almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, whether that’s deep in the countryside, high in the mountains or far offshore. And because LoRaWAN® is designed to send small bursts of data using minimal power, devices can run for years on battery without the need for frequent maintenance.
NTN LoRaWAN® is also built with scale in mind. You can roll out large numbers of devices across vast areas without needing to install your own communications infrastructure at every site. That makes it easier to expand your deployments, support mobile or seasonal use cases, and stay flexible and cost-efficient as your requirements evolve.
EchoStar Mobile’s Approach to Simplified Remote IoT
Seeking to address the challenge of simplifying remote IoT deployments, we designed and built our LoRa®-enabled satellite network. As an NTN LoRaWAN® service, it uses licensed S-band satellite spectrum to deliver reliable, real-time, low-power connectivity in even the most remote locations. Using our plug-and-play EM2050 module, you can quickly deploy your devices and connect directly to our geostationary satellite, without needing extra ground infrastructure or relying on patchy mobile coverage.
Another key advantage is its dual-mode capability. Your devices can connect via satellite when out of range and switch to terrestrial LoRaWAN® networks when available, providing seamless coverage without needing to juggle multiple subscriptions or network providers.
The service also supports bi-directional communication, so you’re not just collecting data; you can send commands back to devices as well. This capability opens the door to smarter remote operations, such as reconfiguring sensors or updating parameters without the need to send someone on-site.
Because our LoRa®-enabled satellite network is built on the LoRaWAN® standard, it’s highly efficient. Devices use minimal power, making them ideal for battery-powered, long-life deployments. In addition, features such as multicast and firmware updates over the air (FUOTA) help streamline your operations even further, allowing you to manage devices remotely at scale without costly site visits.
This technology is invaluable for helping organisations overcome some of the toughest connectivity barriers, such as agricultural sensors spread across remote farmland or assets moving across extensive regions. It also offers immense value in sectors such as environmental monitoring, energy infrastructure and maritime vessels, anywhere devices need to stay online without relying on local networks.
Spotlight: EM-SR LoRaWAN® Satellite Relay
Even with the far-reaching coverage of NTNs, some sensors remain out of reach, tucked away in remote basements, sealed in metal cabinets, or buried deep inside buildings. Our new LoRaWAN® Satellite Relay (EM-SR) addresses this problem.
This compact device acts as a local link, picking up data from nearby sensors and passing it to the satellite network while also delivering messages back to those hard-to-reach locations. Ultimately, it keeps your devices connected, even when the sky’s out of sight.
The EM-SR is designed for simplicity. It’s plug-and-play, battery-powered and ready for long-term use thanks to energy harvesting support. With no bulky gateways or extra infrastructure, it provides a straightforward way to extend your network. It also supports FUOTA (firmware updates over the air), helping to keep your devices up to date.
For use cases like smart metering or indoor monitoring, where signal drop-offs can cause headaches, the EM-SR is the most cost-efficient and hassle-free way to fill the gap.
Deploying IoT in remote and hard-to-reach locations doesn’t have to be complex. With NTN LoRaWAN® and tools like EchoStar Mobile’s EM-SR, you can connect more devices in more places with less effort. It’s a straightforward solution for scaling your operations, extending your reach and reducing the complexity of infrastructure planning.
To find out more about how our solutions can support your next IoT deployment, please get in touch or explore our full range of services here.