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NEW YORK, Feb 17, 2026 — A new Global Survey of 600 senior decision‑makers across agriculture, energy, transport, mining and utilities confirms that direct‑to‑device (D2D) satellite connectivity is moving from research labs into procurement pipelines. Conducted by the International IoT Alliance (IIoTA) between November 2025 and January 2026, the study shows 78% of respondents now consider D2D satellite links a viable option for next‑generation asset monitoring. The shift follows the formal inclusion of non‑terrestrial networks (NTN) in 3GPP Release 17, which standardised the RF band n255 (2 GHz) for satellite‑cellular convergence. Companies are planning pilots and multi‑year contracts to replace legacy satellite terminals with single‑chip IoT modules that can switch seamlessly between terrestrial and orbital networks.
Key Details
The IIoTA report, released at 02:15 GMT on Feb 17, 2026, highlights three quantitative milestones:
- 78% of surveyed executives say D2D satellite connectivity will be budgeted for 2026‑2028 projects.
- 62% expect a 30‑40% reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) compared with dual‑hardware deployments.
- 45% of respondents have already issued RFPs for D2D‑enabled SIMs or modules.
“The data confirms what we’ve been hearing from the field for months,” said Dr. Elena Martinez, senior analyst at the GSMA. “Release 17 gives the industry a common language, and the market is responding with concrete procurement activity rather than speculative interest.”
Background
Historically, industrial IoT (IIoT) deployments relied on two separate communication stacks: terrestrial cellular (4G/5G) for dense‑area coverage and dedicated satellite terminals for remote sites. This dual‑approach created three pain points:
- Capital expense – Separate hardware, antennas and power supplies.
- Operational complexity – Distinct contracts, network management platforms and firmware updates.
- Integration risk – Data silos and latency mismatches between networks.
3GPP Release 17, finalized in June 2023, introduced standardized support for NTNs, defining the n255 band, new physical layer specifications, and roaming procedures that allow a single cellular chipset to communicate directly with low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellites. Subsequent chipset releases from Qualcomm, MediaTek and STMicroelectronics in 2024‑2025 have embedded these specifications, enabling manufacturers to ship “dual‑mode” modules without redesign.
According to John Patel, CTO of AgriTech Solutions, “Our 2024 field trial in Kansas showed a 98% connection success rate using a single SIM that automatically fell back to a LEO satellite when the cellular signal dropped below -95 dBm. The hardware cost was 35% lower than the legacy dual‑antenna setup.”
Expert Analysis
Why decision‑makers are accelerating procurement
Three inter‑related drivers are pushing executives toward D2D satellite solutions:
- Regulatory pressure – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the European Commission have opened additional spectrum in the n255 band, reducing licensing fees for IoT operators.
- Supply‑chain resilience – The 2024 semiconductor shortage highlighted the risk of maintaining separate device families. A unified module simplifies inventory and reduces lead times.
- Data‑centric business models – Companies are monetising real‑time sensor data for predictive maintenance. Seamless connectivity ensures data continuity, a prerequisite for AI‑driven analytics.
“When you can guarantee 99.9% uptime across a globally dispersed asset base with a single SIM, the business case becomes compelling,” noted Dr. Priya Nair, professor of telecommunications at MIT. “The TCO models in the IIoTA report reflect a realistic 20‑30% ROI within three years for most sectors.”
Technical considerations
While the promise is clear, implementation still requires careful planning:
- Power budgeting – LEO satellite links consume more power per bit than terrestrial 5G. Designers must size batteries or integrate energy‑harvesting solutions.
- Antenna design – Dual‑mode antennas must cover both sub‑6 GHz cellular bands and the 2 GHz n255 band without significant loss.
- Network management – Operators need platforms that can orchestrate handover policies, QoS prioritisation and billing across heterogeneous networks.
Leading platform providers such as Azure IoT Central and Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT Core have announced dedicated APIs for NTN telemetry as of Q4 2025, simplifying integration for developers.
Impact & Implications
The shift to D2D satellite connectivity could reshape several verticals:
Agriculture
Large farms spanning thousands of acres can now deploy soil‑moisture sensors with a single SIM, eliminating the need for field‑mounted satellite dishes. According to the IIoTA survey, 84% of agribusiness respondents expect a 15‑25% increase in yield forecasting accuracy within two years.
Energy & Utilities
Smart grid transformers in remote substations can be monitored in real time, reducing outage response times. A pilot by Pacific Power in Oregon reported a 40% reduction in mean‑time‑to‑repair (MTTR) after switching to D2D modules.
Transport & Logistics
Fleet managers can track vehicles across deserts, oceans and mountain passes without maintaining separate satellite terminals. The report notes that 57% of transport executives plan to replace legacy satellite trackers by 2027.
Mining & Resources
Underground and open‑pit sensors benefit from the low‑latency handover to LEO satellites, enabling predictive maintenance of heavy equipment. Early adopters in Chile report a 22% drop in unplanned downtime.
What’s Next
Industry analysts forecast three near‑term milestones:
- Q3 2026 – Major IoT chipset vendors release fully integrated n255‑compatible modules with built‑in power‑management ICs.
- Q1 2027 – The first global “NTN‑Ready” certification program launches, overseen by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- 2028 – 3GPP Release 18 expands NTN support to include edge‑computing offload, enabling on‑satellite AI inference for ultra‑low‑latency use cases.
Enterprises are advised to:
- Audit existing IoT assets for D2D‑readiness (SIM compatibility, antenna space, power budget).
- Engage with satellite‑cellular operators to negotiate bundled contracts that include both terrestrial and orbital capacity.
- Run pilot projects in low‑coverage zones to validate handover algorithms and battery life.
“The next wave will be about scale, not proof‑of‑concept,” warned Maria Liu, VP of Global Partnerships at OneWeb. “Companies that embed D2D capability now will be first to reap the efficiency gains when the ecosystem matures.”
FAQ
What is direct‑to‑device (D2D) satellite connectivity?
D2D satellite connectivity allows an IoT device equipped with a standard cellular SIM to communicate directly with a LEO satellite using the 3GPP‑defined n255 band, eliminating the need for a separate satellite modem.
How does 3GPP Release 17 enable this technology?
Release 17 standardises the physical layer, radio resource control and roaming procedures for non‑terrestrial networks, ensuring that existing cellular chipsets can operate on satellite links without custom firmware.
Will existing IoT devices need hardware upgrades?
Only devices lacking n255‑compatible radios will require a module swap. Many manufacturers are releasing drop‑in replacement modules that fit the same footprint as legacy 5G chips.
What are the cost implications?
The IIoTA survey estimates a 30‑40% reduction in total cost of ownership over a five‑year horizon, driven by lower hardware spend, simplified logistics and reduced contract overhead.
Is the technology secure?
Security protocols (e.g., 5G‑AKA, TLS 1.3) are identical to terrestrial cellular, and satellite operators are adopting end‑to‑end encryption standards mandated by the ITU.
Summary
The IIoTA global survey of 600 industrial IoT decision‑makers confirms that direct‑to‑device satellite connectivity, enabled by 3GPP Release 17, is transitioning from concept to procurement. Early adopters across agriculture, energy, transport, mining and utilities report tangible benefits in cost, reliability and operational simplicity. With chipset roadmaps, certification programs and operator contracts slated for rollout throughout 2026‑2028, enterprises that begin pilot testing now will position themselves for a competitive advantage as the unified cellular‑satellite ecosystem matures.
Related Developments
- 3GPP Release 18 expands NTN support with edge‑computing capabilities
- Satellite IoT market projected to grow 18% annually through 2028
- Qualcomm unveils n255‑compatible module for industrial IoT
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