D2D planned for mass adoption within industrial IoT within 18 months - report

- A new report from Viasat shows that 91% of decision-makers across five major industries plan to adopt Direct-to-Device (D2D) Internet of Things (IoT) devices within their IoT strategy over the next 18 months.

- D2D IoT devices can connect to both satellite and cellular networks without existing satellite terminals to unlock safety, efficiency, and sustainability benefits for major industries.

 Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, announced its new report which shows rising urgency among decision-makers to adopt D2D IoT devices within their organizations.

The report – The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Industrial IoT – was conducted by Vanson Bourne and surveyed 600 IoT decision-makers from five major industries: agriculture, energy, transport and logistics, mining and utilities. The survey asked professionals about new D2D IoT devices, which enable organizations to track, monitor, and control operations by sharing data over satellite and cellular without the need for existing, dedicated satellite terminals.

D2D coming to IoT

The vast majority (90%) of those surveyed agree that D2D will accelerate the roll-out of IoT globally. Current terrestrial IoT users are particularly keen to tap into the technology, with almost a third (32%) planning to adopt D2D within the next 6 months. However, while intent is high, most respondents (81%) say adoption in IoT would only be feasible after the next 1-2 years.

Across all IoT decision-makers surveyed, over a quarter intend to adopt D2D within 6 months, over two-thirds within 12 months, and the vast majority (91%) within 18 months. On top of this, 89% of organizations say they would consider replacing their current IoT connectivity with D2D within the next 2–3 years.

Discover how satellite and terrestrial networks are reshaping connectivity across industrial IoT in The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Industrial IoT.

Download the report

Industrial potential and high confidence

Respondents report high confidence that new applications can have significant benefits, with respondents reporting D2D could provide an advantage due to its smaller form factor (61%), ability to support large scale deployments (59%), and in deployments in areas without cellular coverage (55%).

The most beneficial use cases provided through D2D include crop storage monitoring in agriculture (33%), automated haulage vehicles in mining (36%), vehicular tracking and route optimization in transport (43%), water infrastructure monitoring in utilities (43%), and wellhead monitoring in energy (33%).

Existing IoT roll-out continues at pace

Within their existing IoT roll-out, 78% of respondents say their organizations’ progress has increased over the past 12 months. Organizations are also increasingly integrating satellite into their deployments. In this year’s survey, more than half of organizations (55%) reported using satellite in their IoT estates, a rise from the 41% reported in 2024’s survey.

Andy Kessler, Vice President, Enterprise at Viasat said: “Organizations are rightly excited by the potential for standards-based D2D and are planning to deploy new technology quickly, and at scale. The excitement makes sense because we know new devices can lower the barrier to entry for organizations by reducing the cost, complexity, and physical size of IoT terminals.

“But while companies rightly want to move fast, the change represents a major shift. It’s our job to work with our partner ecosystem and customers to help them access the safety, efficiency, and sustainability benefits satellite-enabled IoT can bring.”

****

About Viasat

Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are - on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to the pace of adoption of D2D and IoT, and Viasat’s ability to capitalize on market opportunities. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; our ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers; our reliance on third parties to supply our services; and the effect of adverse regulatory changes. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.