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Swarm Technologies’ satellite network revolutionized global connectivity with its tiny SpaceBEE satellites and is now approaching the end of an era. SpaceX, which acquired Swarm in 2021, announced the sunsetting of these satellites that pioneered affordable Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity for remote locations worldwide in September 2024.  

While the Swarm network demonstrated the potential of satellite technology in connecting everything from agricultural sensors to ocean vessels, existing customers must now prepare to transition to alternative solutions. 

Starnote enables device manufacturers to connect to Skylo’s satellite networks using the existing Notecard ecosystem. It represents a blend of cutting-edge technology, user-centric design, and affordability ready to modernize the boundaries of Satellite connectivity. 

 

The End of Swarm: What You Need to Know 

SpaceX’s announcement of Swarm’s discontinuation last September set the countdown running for current users. The service will officially stop operations in March 2025. All Swarm devices, including the SpaceBEE modules, will stop transmitting data after this date, regardless of any remaining credit balances or service agreements. 

If you have an existing Swarm deployment, here are the next steps for your business: 

  • Conduct an inventory of all deployments – Satellite connected devices are often deployed in remote or hard-to-reach locations. Without a complete device map, organizations risk leaving obsolete hardware in the field or ordering the wrong quantity of replacement hardware.  
  • Document existing integration points and data flows – Swarm devices typically feed into complex systems, including dashboards, alerts, and analytics platforms. As organizations switch to alternatives, they’ll encounter different APIs and data formats; documenting these upfront preserves critical business processes and ensures a smooth data transition. 
  • Download and back up all historical data – Access to the Swarm dashboard and API will be terminated alongside the service. This includes not just transmission data but also device configurations, network settings, and any custom integration parameters that might be valuable for setting up replacement systems. 
  • Begin migrating to a different service – Swarm will not be providing an automatic transition to a new service. Customers are responsible for their migration strategies, including hardware replacement and software adaptations. This is particularly important for organizations with remote or hard-to-reach deployments. 
  • Plan for a customer service interruption – A minimum 24-hour service interruption allows organizations to replace hardware, initialize and test devices, and redirect data flows. This buffer provides essential time for troubleshooting unexpected issues and ensuring all systems function correctly before full deployment. 

When it comes to migration planning, the earlier the better for maintaining continuous operations and benefitting from newer technologies. As the March 2025 deadline approaches, several viable alternatives have emerged in the satellite IoT space, each offering unique advantages that could allow your business to upgrade its capabilities.  

Your Satellite IoT Options 

Swarm might have been one of the first on the market, but as satellite technology has become more affordable and accessible, the options for connecting your devices have grown. However, significant challenges such as political hurdles, high module and data costs, and integration complexities remain to be addressed by many of these products; here are the options available to businesses looking to migrate away from Swarm. 

  • Blues: Each Starnote for Skylo module costs $49, which includes 18KB of data. Additional data costs $0.75 per KB. Volume discounts are available for both hardware and messages. 
  • Starlink direct-to-cell: Will be introduced for the IoT industry in 2025.  
  • Iridium: Offers an Edge Pro Development Kit for $999, which includes hardware and free airtime for six months. Monthly service starts at $31.50 with no included data.  
  • Sateliot: Provides an NTN extension to terrestrial coverage.  
  • Astrocast: Sells the Astronode S communication module for $49, with service pricing not publicly available.  
  • Globalstar: Offers the STM150M Module for $85 for embedding in an end product, with service pricing around $0.25/message.  
  • Myriota: The development kit costs $199, including two modules and three months of free data. Service pricing is $500/month for 1MB of data.  

Each alternative has trade-offs, including hardware costs, data pricing, and integration complexity. Starnote combines the proven Notecard ecosystem with Skylo’s satellite network, offering a balance of affordability, ease of integration, and reliable coverage. 

 

Introducing Starnote for Skylo 

Starnote is designed to work with a Blues Notecard for cellular or Wi-Fi, adding redundancy to your device so that you will always be online if your primary connectivity solution fails. This flexibility ensures robust and uninterrupted connectivity to cater to diverse requirements across terrains and applications.  

Here are some key features of Starnote which businesses should take advantage of:  

  • Advanced connectivity: Starnote combines LEO satellite backup connectivity with the ease and familiarity of cellular and Wi-Fi networks. This integration expands the coverage range and ensures reliable communication in remote locations.  
  • Easy to use: Starnote maintains a JSON-based programming interface consistent with Blues’ Notecard solution. This feature ensures ease of use for developers, allowing them to access another major Radio Access Technology with a plug-and-play module.  
  • Rapid integration: Starnote’s interface streamlines the development process, significantly reducing integration time. Its use of familiar interfaces allows developers to quickly incorporate satellite failover capabilities into their projects without the steep learning curve often associated with satellite technology integration.  
  • Alignment with device lifecycles: IoT devices could be active in the field for up to 10 years. Starnote offers a practical financial model with 18KB of data included and no monthly costs for devices, beneficial for devices that are not always “active.”   
  • Inclusive of satellite uplink and downlink data: The cost of a Starnote device includes both satellite uplink and downlink data. This bundling is crucial to its cost-effectiveness, simplifying the pricing model and making it more predictable for users.  

Transform your remote access products into intelligent services connected via satellite with Starnote  

The Future of Satellite IoT: A Strategic Opportunity 

While Swarm’s discontinuation presents an immediate challenge for customers, it also creates an opportunity to upgrade your IoT infrastructure. Starnote’s dual-connectivity approach provides reliability that isn’t possible with satellite-only solutions. Combined with a developer-friendly ecosystem, organizations can migrate at speed with confidence in a future-proof design. 

Rather than viewing Swarm’s sunset as a forced migration, forward-thinking organizations can use this transition to build a more resilient and scalable IoT infrastructure. Get in touch with our team to begin your migration. 

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