SpaceX is bringing its cutting-edge SATCOM solutions service Starlink to John Deere customers in a partnership to improve rural connectivity and enable the next generation of precision agricultural technologies.
The partnership between SpaceX and Deere & Company is industry-first and represents a giant leap forward for farmers in remote areas underserved by traditional connectivity options.
Whether producing food, fuel, or fiber, a successful growing season for a farmer is often determined by their ability to complete complex tasks in extremely short windows of time. The accessibility and dependability of connectivity provided by Starlink and SpaceX make completing these tasks more efficient and help improve any operation's overall effectiveness and profitability.
Starlink’s SATCOM solutions connect to new and existing John Deere machines and equipment through a ruggedized satellite terminal. The terminal connects to SpaceX’s unparalleled satellite constellation, enabling internet service virtually anywhere.
Capabilities like real-time data sharing, machine-to-machine communication, a self-repair solution, and remote diagnostics are all enabled by Starlink’s service, bringing leading-edge technology to farms that have historically struggled with internet connectivity. The result is minimized downtime, greater efficiency, and a level playing field of connectivity, even in the most remote or difficult conditions.
John Deere has been a leader in satellite-based guidance technology for decades, but the SpaceX strategic partnership represents a new era. The SATCOM solutions capabilities will help bring scale connectivity to farms and support the full range of features in John Deere’s tech stack.
SATCOM solutions’ capabilities are unlocked by installing a ruggedized Starlink terminal on compatible John Deere machines and a 4G LTE JDLink modem that enables connectivity to the John Deere Operations Center. The partnership rollout will begin in the United States and Brazil in the second half of 2024.
If enhanced connectivity is the missing link between your farming operation and better efficiency, a John Deere dealer can help you size up options for bringing Starlink to your fleet.