Have you ever experienced the frustration of being without reliable service in a remote or rural area? That’s the daily reality for industries like oil, gas, mining, and construction. While a suite of advanced sensors promise detailed views into on site operations, these solutions depend on reliable and uninterrupted connectivity to keep things running smoothly, but remote locations often put them outside the reach of traditional networks. We’re changing that.
Last year we introduced Starnote, a game-changing satellite connectivity agent. Starnote provides reliable satellite failover to any cellular or Wi-Fi Notecard-based solution in areas where connectivity can be challenging. And, with no subscription fees or lock in, its one of the most affordable satellite modems on the market.
Unlocking Billions With Connectivity
Satellite IoT is set to revolutionize the oil & gas, mining, and construction sectors, unlocking billions of dollars in potential savings and revenue. Here’s how it’s making an impact:
Oil & Gas
The oil and gas sector is poised to gain the most from advanced connectivity. Deploying advanced connectivity solutions is projected to optimize drilling and production throughput, adding up to $250 billion in value. The industry could unlock an additional $30 billion if Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites become available and increase productive drilling time to 94% from the current 90%, a significant boost in productivity.
Other digital technologies, including sensors and data analytics also help cut production costs by 10% to 20% through better seismic data processing and reservoir modeling.
Mining
Mining operations often take place in harsh, remote environments where maintaining communication networks is a challenge. Reliable connectivity ensures continuous monitoring of equipment and environmental conditions, enhancing safety and productivity. With Starnote, mines can achieve seamless data collection, enabling real-time decision-making that improves efficiency and reduces risks.
Construction
The construction industry is already benefitting from predictive maintenance, remote condition monitoring, and enhanced project management—all made possible by Satellite IoT. These technologies help companies save millions annually.
Facing Terrestrial Limitations Head-On
Industries that rely on remote locations, like oil, gas, and mining, face big challenges when it comes to staying connected. Without reliable communication, it’s tough to keep operations running smoothly, ensure safety, and make smart, data-driven decisions.
Take the oil and gas sector, for example. It’s still recovering from the massive hit during the Covid-19 demand crash and the 2020 price war, which caused oil prices to drop by 59%. This showed just how vulnerable the industry is to global market shifts. Stronger, more reliable connectivity could help businesses adapt and stay resilient during tough times.
Surprisingly, only 22% of executives plan to adopt new technologies, creating a significant gap in operational efficiency and safety improvements. This hesitation is costly, especially when many companies rely on expensive satellite communications that can cost over $200,000 per year per link. While the cost is high, it’s often unavoidable to keep operations running and respond quickly to emergencies.
The financial stakes are high. A single half-day of pump downtime at a refinery can cost up to half a million dollars in lost revenue. That’s why dependable connectivity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
The mining industry faces similar struggles. Operations often take place in harsh, dangerous environments, where reliable communication can be a lifesaver. Equipment failures or injuries are constant risks, and underground networks are notoriously unreliable. As mines get deeper and larger, keeping critical systems connected becomes even harder, with vital data capture equipment often out of reach of traditional networks.
Why Starnote Stands Out
Starnote isn’t just another satellite solution. It’s designed with simplicity, flexibility, and cost-efficiency in mind, offering users:
- Seamless Integration – Starnote integrates seamlessly with Notecard, offering dual connectivity that adds satellite failover to any cellular solution with the same developer friendly experience. This allows for seamless movement between radio access technologies (RATs) through the use of the same set of APIs, hardware design and software architecture.
- Pre-Provisioned Connectivity – Each Starnote device comes pre-configured with 18KB of satellite data, enough to send a 50-byte message daily for a year. This eliminates lengthy setup times and accelerates time-to-market.
- Broad Coverage – Powered by Skylo, Starnote’s satellite network spans the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, and more, with coverage expanding rapidly. Whether your operations are in a desert, forest, or near shore location, Starnote keeps you connected.
- Low Latency – Traditional satellite communications are plagued by delays that slow down real-time decision-making. Starnote’s low-latency connections ensure fast, reliable data transmission, so you’re always ahead of the curve.
Real-Time Solutions for Real-World Problems
Maintaining operational visibility and control remains an immense challenge across the oil, gas, mining, and construction industries. Starnote isn’t just about connectivity; it’s enabling real challenges in remote locations to be solved- no matter how isolated or harsh. Here are three key areas where Starnote delivers:
Precise Asset Tracking
Losing track of expensive machinery and vehicles isn’t just frustrating—it’s costly. Starnote provides real-time location data for every asset, giving you total visibility. This means better inventory management, optimized resource deployment, and enhanced security.
A Safe and Secure Work Environment
Picture this: A gas leak develops in a remote mining operation. Who learns about it first – your sensors or your workers? Starnote’s real-time monitoring provides continuous visibility into critical conditions – whether that’s environmental conditions like air quality, the operational status of equipment, or even worker health. Instead of reacting to accidents, you can proactively address risks before they escalate. Prioritizing safety protects your workforce and builds a culture of trust and care.
Prevent Downtime through Predictive Maintenance
Equipment breakdowns can halt operations and drain budgets. Starnote uses real-time data insights to anticipate potential failures, enabling proactive maintenance that minimizes downtime and extends the lifespan of your assets.
The Future of Connectivity Starts with Starnote
Starnote is more than just a satellite failover device—it’s a lifeline for industries that depend on reliable communication in the most challenging environments. By addressing the core issues of operational efficiency, safety, and decision-making, Starnote empowers businesses to thrive in remote locations without the usual complexities or high costs of traditional satellite failover solutions.
Get in touch to discover how Starnote can connect your operations, wherever they are.
Additional Resources
- Download your guide to Industrial Equipment Monitoring with Blues
- Discover Starnote and compare it to other satellite IoT solutions
- Accelerate your product development with Blues partners, discover how with our Prodigy case study