Satellite communications business Myriota and telecommunications company Optus Business have joined forces to bolster Internet of Things (IoT) coverage across regional Australia.
In a statement released on August 20, Myriota said the telco-nanosatellite agreement would offer low-cost, long battery life connectivity for millions of devices across multiple industries by combining Optus’ national networks and digital enablement capabilities with Myriota’s direct-to-orbit technology.
Myriota’s Dr. Alex Grant with Optus Business Managing Director Chris Mitchell at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide, South Australia.
Photo is courtesy of Rosina Possingham.
The announcement follows a productive year for Myriota, which has become a global leader in nanosatellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and is based at Lot Fourteen — an innovation precinct in the CBD of Adelaide, South Australia. Earlier this month, the South Australian company announced a partnership with Queensland AgTech business Goanna Ag to unlock the power of remote monitoring, and in July the Adelaide startup became the first to pen a statement of strategic intent with the Australian Space Agency.
Spun out of the University of South Australia in 2015, Myriota last year raised $15 million through a Series A funding round from companies including the venture capital arm of Optus’ parent company Singtel.
Myriota CEO and co-founder Dr. Alex Grant said the company was already trialing the partnership with Optus customers and expected to continue onboarding customers and said the latest collaboration would unlock new opportunities for IoT applications across a wide range of industries. He added that remote connectivity has long been the missing piece of the puzzle for IoT across industries such as logistics and farming and the company is thrilled to partner with Optus Business to provide a comprehensive connectivity offering. Previously, satellite connectivity has not been available or affordable for businesses with remote assets, but nanosatellites are providing a more attainable and affordable solution. By combining Optus’ national networks with the firm’s nanosatellite capability, Myriota is able to offer a truly holistic IoT solution and help solve connectivity issues being faced in regional Australia.
Dr. Grant continued by noting that with Myriota direct-to-orbit IoT connectivity, the company can provide connectivity for IoT that works outside the areas of cellular footprint, which extends reach as well as offering an alternative carrier alongside things like 4G, 5G or narrowband IoT with very, very low power use. That’s advantageous sometimes, to have a mix of technologies where different technologies are doing different things.
Optus Business Managing Director Chris Mitchell said he was excited to see the impact that collaborating with Myriota would have for Optus customers.
Story by The Lead South Australia contributor, Jessica Bassano.
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