John Deere steers towards SpaceX for satellite rural connectivity

The service, using the Starlink network, will support farmers facing rural connectivity challenges “to fully leverage precision agriculture technologies”, said the company. For example, Starlink will enable real-time data sharing, remote diagnostics, self-repair systems, and machine-to-machine communication, cites the company.

To activate the satellite connectivity, Deere dealers will install a ruggedised Starlink terminal on compatible machines along with a 4G LTE JDLink modem to connect the machine back to the John Deere Operations Center.

“We are bringing satellite communications service to the farm at scale so farmers with cellular coverage challenges can maximize the value of connectivity to their operations,” said Jahmy Hindman, CTO at Deere.

“The SATCOM solution unlocks the [Deere] tech stack so every farmer can fully utilize their current precision agriculture technology in addition to the new innovative solutions they will deploy in the future. We initiated this process with a fierce focus on delivering value to our customers, and this partnership ensures we have a solution that meets their needs today and in the future.”

The satcom service will initially be available through a limited release in the United States and Brazil, starting in the second half of this year.

Starlink is ideal for rural locations. Later this year, @JohnDeere will begin equipping new and existing machines across the United States and Brazil with Starlink to help connect farmers with high-speed internet so they can fully leverage precision agriculture technologies… pic.twitter.com/Jr36oTvGa4

— Starlink (@Starlink) January 15, 2024

Starlink

SpaceX’s Starlink constellation now consists of more than 5,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit. It’s internet service started in 2021.

Late in 2022, the company started taking pre-orders for its Flat High Performance Starlink for people on the go. ‘Starlink for RVs’ (recreational vehicles) was a flat panel antenna to allow people to use the service while on the go, for example, mounted on a vehicle.

At the time, Elon Musk’s company wrote:

“Designed for mobility applications and challenging environments. With a wide field of view and enhanced GPS capabilities, it can connect to more satellites, allowing for consistent connectivity while on the go. The hardware is designed for a permanent installation and is more resilient to extreme environments. Currently the only designated dish for in-motion use in approved countries.”

Image: John Deere

See also: Open Cosmos’ MANTIS satellite to launch on SpaceX Falcon 9