HARNESSING THE POWER OF PRECISION ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET
We have linked up with the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial communication network – Intelsat – to bring connectivity to farmers in hard-to-reach locations. We’ll be finding out more about the people behind this collaboration and why it’s so important for our customers.
This collaboration is the first to provide farmers with access to the internet via a ‘ruggedized’ or hard-wearing satellite communications (SATCOM) service.
But why do we need it? Many customers fulfill their need for internet connectivity with our market-leading global mobile virtual network. However, existing cellular towers do not enable a wider connection.
Why did we choose Intelsat?
Josh Parker
“Intelsat showed up with what they said they would bring. Their roadmap was on time, and they were able to put the people and the services behind their product to come out and show us what they could do,” said Josh Parker, Global Connectivity Operations Leader.
Josh said that Intelsat were the “front runners” to partner with from the start. He was tasked with getting out in the field with the equipment to run connectivity tests.
“The testing went very well, and we realized we had an opportunity to be the first to market if we were creative and agile. Rather than taking 18 months, we condensed the process down to under four months.”
Josh highlighted the simplicity of the equipment as a major factor in why we chose to work with Intelsat. He said it’s a “streamlined installation process” compared to other providers.
“We have fewer pieces of equipment, fewer things to go wrong, and the design that they have is already tested for high impact industrial solutions,” he added.
The technology is already used by the military and the airline sector. Its multi-orbit internet access connects to CNH equipment working in remote locations. This will make the work of farmers easier, more efficient and more profitable by enabling them full access to our precision agriculture technology that improves productivity and yields.
This offering will first be available in the second half of 2024 in Brazil, where today only 19% of arable land has high-speed internet access.
Customers will be able to rely on their Case IH and New Holland dealers to install and support Intelsat’s hardware and service activation. The next step is to expand this collaboration to the US, Australia, and other regions.
of arable land in Brasil has high-speed internet access.
Director of Digital Technologies and Innovation, Gregory Riordan, has been with CNH for 12 years and is now taking a lead on highlighting the needs of our customers.
He said Agrishow, Latin America’s largest farm trade show, was key to collecting feedback on customer expectations.
“The use of tech today is key to maximizing operational and agronomic efficiency as well as guaranteeing the maximum uptime of machines when they are most needed during critical operations such as planting, spraying and harvesting. This is true for all operations and becomes even more critical in larger contexts in remote areas with little connectivity. Having detailed info on what’s happening at every moment is key to anticipating issues, managing operations to the maximum efficiency and giving operators fast and assertive feedback. And this is where a solution, like Intelsat, can solve the connectivity gap even in a challenging location. This can be a game changer and help farmers to solve these challenges.”
Gregory Riordan
