Viasat: A Lack of Reliable Connectivity Holds Business Back
Most businesses now argue that a lack of reliable connectivity is holding back progress of the Internet of Things (IoT), despite widespread adoption.
According to Internet service provider Viasat via its State of Industrial IoT in 2024 report, 85% of businesses say they have struggled to develop IoT because of connectivity issues in the areas they want to deploy in.
IoT has now become a critical technology across multiple industries, given its ability to boost operational efficiency within the workplace. Businesses are investing in IoT to gather more real-time data to track performance and optimise processes to make faster decisions and fewer challenges.
The state of IoT
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions utilise a range of connected devices that are designed to help companies operate more safely, efficiently, or sustainably. Some examples of the technology include automated water monitoring technology for agriculture, remote control solutions for utilities infrastructure and environmental monitoring tools for mining and energy.
However, despite its effectiveness, there can be a broad range of challenges associated with the deployment of IoT technologies. As a result, according to Viasat, almost 90% of companies surveyed either already have a formal IoT strategy or are in the process of developing one.
A further 9% are planning to develop a plan for IoT within the next year.
Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents report the largest challenge once solutions are deployed is a lack of consistent and reliable connectivity. Following Viasat’s previous report in 2021, satellite connectivity has become the most popular connectivity source for enabling IoT (41%).
Others, on the other hand, have opted for a range of solutions like WiFi (39%), cellular (36%) and radio (34%).
A business critical venture
With businesses still struggling with gaps in their overall connectivity, Viasat finds that there is definitely room for growth in highly reliable satellite solutions. Overall, respondents to the company’s report believe that budgets will increase in future, with 70% feeling confident they will have more to spend on IoT in coming years.
The technology has become business critical, with 68% of businesses reporting to Viasat an increase in their IoT progress over the last 12 months.
Likewise, 74% of respondents have reported that their company boards remain positive about IoT and are embracing it as a key part of their business strategy as a result. From this, Viasat has suggested it is clear that effectively implementing IoT offers significant advantages, including better decision-making.
“IoT has proven its value for businesses navigating an unpredictable environment, helping them become more agile and efficient. But businesses still face connectivity issues, which is why they are looking for reliable, consistent satellite solutions to drive the roll-out,” says Andy Kessler, Vice President at Viasat Enterprise.
“Looking forward, reducing the complexity of converging satellite and terrestrial is going to be key to maximizing the full potential for IoT.”
A need to improve connectivity
There is both a regional and global push to improve connectivity, with countries and business leaders investing in programmes to ensure that more people are better connected - or connected for the first time - than ever before.
For instance, Huawei’s latest 5.5G solutions are designed to support up to 100 billion connections, allowing IoT to be deployed on a much larger and unprecedented scale. This type of connectivity boost can enable companies to gather greater insights across even larger areas of their operations.
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