CNH Industrial has teamed up with Space X’s Starlink to connect its Case IH, New Holland and Steyr machines with high-speed connectivity. Starlink’s satellite network provides reliable, low-latency internet in remote rural locations
“We’re thrilled to offer our customers access to industry-leading satellite connectivity, enabling them to maximize the potential of our full suite of precision technology in even the most challenging rural environments,” says Stefano Pampalone, CNH’s chief commercial officer for agriculture.
Last year, CNH announced a collaboration with Intelsat, which operates both geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. A spokesperson for CNH says Starlink will replace Intelsat. Machinery brands including John Deere have likewise partnered with satellite management companies to bring their equipment online.
The two types of satellites provide unique benefits for farm machines. GEO satellites are fixed in place at an extremely high altitude and provide slower internet speeds. These higher satellites facilitate regular equipment updates, which don’t require high bandwidth. LEO satellites don’t have as much range but provide faster internet speeds.
The lack of connectivity in rural environments can make farm logistics challenging. Operations like prescription spraying and drone imaging pose a particular challenge.
CNH’s Starlink partnership increases data-streaming capabilities, which are intended to keep farm management devices and machines consistently connected regardless of their location. Operationally, farmers won’t see a difference when switched from Intelsat, because Starlink seamlessly integrates with CNH’s FieldOps platform.
Faster connectivity lets farmers quickly export data. For operations like prescription spraying, this lets farmers download maps for their machines without hassle.
“This collaboration underscores CNH’s ongoing commitment to equipping farmers with reliable, tailored solutions that meet the unique demands of agriculture, while amplifying the capabilities of precision technology from wherever they are,” according to a company statement about the collaboration. For more information, visit cnh.com.