BSNL and Skylo Poised to Connect Billions of Sensors and Machines in Maritime, Agriculture, Railway, Logistics, and Disaster Management


PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Skylo, the first satellite-based IoT solution that turns machines into always-connected smart objects, today announced an exclusive partnership with BSNL, India’s government-owned telecommunications provider.

“For centuries, industries including agriculture, railways, and fisheries, have been operating in the physical world and haven’t had the opportunity to take full advantage of modern digital technologies like AI, machine learning, IoT, and space connectivity, regardless of their geography — until today,” said Skylo CEO and co-founder Parth Trivedi. “With Skylo and BSNL, fishermen, farmers, and truck drivers can access the benefits of an affordable, reliable satellite network and connected sensors, giving them up to the minute information. As a result, they’ll be able to make better decisions, save time and money, radically improve operations, and even save the lives of their workers.”

Together, Skylo and BSNL will advance Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a true Digital India by connecting millions of sensors and machines from space, so that business owners anywhere can understand, manage, and predict what is happening in order to make smart and timely decisions. The network is accessible across the sub-continent and is being rolled out with select customers in government and private sectors.

“BSNL’s vision is to leverage technology to provide affordable and innovative telecom services and products across customer segments,” said Sh. P. K. Purwar, CMD, BSNL. “With our pan-India presence and Skylo’s new, disruptive satellite-based IoT data mobility solution, we now have an unparalleled opportunity to serve previously underserved industries by bringing an affordable and easy way to connect IoT sensors anywhere in India. We are confident that this will lead to tremendous efficiencies and new ‘connected’ business models for players in these industries and with their progress, India’s growth story will get a boost.”

Skylo is currently being integrated and tested on trucks, commercial vehicles, railways, and fishing vessels in India. Manufactured under the “Make in India” initiative, Skylo has leveraged cellular-grade hardware to communicate over satellite, resulting in highly affordable, easy to install rugged hub devices, and an immersive dashboard to be able to access information from remote locations on mobile devices or desktops. Skylo leverages existing satellites to bring reliable connectivity without the need to add new infrastructure in space.

“Being able to affordably connect IoT devices, vehicles and vessels across the country is a transformative capability for India,” said Trivedi. “We are completely invested in the Government of India’s vision for a ‘Digital India’ and inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s recent call of ‘Vocal for Local.’ We recognize NITI Aayog’s enormous contribution in creating a conducive environment for rapid innovation in India and remain grateful for their support. This is the world’s first 5G NB-IoT network over satellite, and we’re proud to be launching it initially in India.”

Whether equipping tractors or fishing boats, train cars or trucks, mining equipment or electrical grids, Skylo connects machines so they can start sharing data through the Skylo Hub. A small, smart, incredibly rugged box, the Skylo Hub reads sensors and transmits data to the Skylo Satellite Network which then sends data where it belongs: into people’s hands. The immersive Skylo Platform provides a visualized experience via mobile and desktop and gives users the ability to take immediate and appropriate action.

Please refer to today’s BSNL press release: BSNL, in partnership with Skylo, to introduce worlds’ first, satellite-based narrowband-IoT network in India.

BSNL is an Indian state owned telecommunications company, headquartered in New Delhi India. It was incorporated by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India in 2000. It provides mobile voice and internet services through its nationwide network across India. It is the largest telecoms company in India with more than 60% market share and is the fourth largest wireless provider in the world.

About Skylo

Skylo delivers the world’s first disruptively affordable, satellite-based solution that connects machines and sensors, from slow moving tractors to fast moving trucks, from fishing boats at sea to railcars, from pipelines to livestock, no matter where in the world they are. Skylo continuously collects and shares this valuable data through an intuitive and immersive user platform so people can make smarter decisions faster. The first company to leverage the cellular Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) protocol for satellite communications, Skylo connects remote areas to serve a wide range of industries including farming, fishing, railways, logistics, and disaster preparedness. Skylo has offices in Palo Alto, CA; Bangalore, India; Tel Aviv, Israel; Espoo, Finland, and is growing globally to support its customers. To learn more about Skylo, visit www.skylo.tech, or find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Contacts

Media Contact | Kelly Brieger | kelly@skylo.tech | 650-704-1748 | www.skylo.tech