# The State of Satellite IoT | Ground Control's Alastair MacLeod | Internet of Things Podcast

- Show: [IoT For All Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast)
- Published: 2023-05-25
- Length: 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iot-for-all/episodes/The-State-of-Satellite-IoT--Ground-Controls-Alastair-MacLeod--Internet-of-Things-Podcast-e28bk4h

## Summary

Alastair MacLeod, CEO of Ground Control, discusses the current state of satellite IoT, distinguishing between today's viable use cases and the hype surrounding emerging LEO networks. He explains that while satellite connectivity is available for critical applications anywhere on Earth, true economic parity with terrestrial cellular for low-power, small-form-factor devices is likely 5 to 10 years away. MacLeod highlights key challenges including high unit economics, power constraints, and the complexity of hybrid satellite-cellular implementations, noting that reliability and security are major drivers for adoption. He advises engineers to focus on criticality and business cases rather than just technical feasibility, predicting market consolidation among LEO operators in the next five years.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=0) Introduction: Alastair MacLeod and Ground Control
- [1:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=119) Current State of Satellite IoT Technology
- [3:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=221) Market Trends: Hype vs. Reality of LEO and GEO
- [6:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=369) Implementation Challenges: Cost, Power, and Interoperability
- [9:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=575) Timeline for True Satellite Coverage and Economics
- [13:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=788) Use Case Criteria: Criticality and Business Cases
- [15:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=909) Key Questions for Researching Satellite IoT
- [18:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-25-the-state-of-satellite-iot-ground-controls-alastair-macleod-internet-of-things-p#t=1080) Future Outlook: MosaicAT and Market Consolidation

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Ground Control (company)
- Iridium (company)
- MRSATs (company)
- Swarm (company)
- OneWeb (company)
- Starlink (product)
- MosaicAT (other)
- LoRa (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Satellite Iot: Space-Based Connectivity Solutions With Oli Potter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-10-24-satellite-iot-space-based-connectivity-solutions-with-oli-potter) (Over the Air)
- [An Interview with Maarten Engelen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-01-28-an-interview-with-maarten-engelen) (The Amp Hour)
- [Building A Low-cost Satellite IoT Solution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2022-07-07-building-a-low-cost-satellite-iot-solution) (Over the Air)
- [From Closed to Open Source: Revolutionizing the Satellite Industry with Ian Itz, Director of IoT at Iridium](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-02-29-from-closed-to-open-source-revolutionizing-the-satellite-industry-with-ian-itz-d) (Over the Air)
- [Brandon Satrom Returns! Blues SVP talks Starnote, and cheap Satellite Communication!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2025-02-05-brandon-satrom-returns-blues-svp-talks-starnote-and-cheap-satellite-communicatio) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

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