Satellite IoT Connectivity Startup Swarm Releases Pricing for the Swarm Tile Modem and Data Plan
$119 Swarm Tile satellite modem is optimized for low-power and battery-based systems, while data plans start at $5 a month.
Swarm, a startup looking to bring broader low-power connectivity to Internet of Things (IoT) devices via a constellation of satellites, has announced pricing — and the Swarm Tile modem will set developers back just $119.
"Ben and I founded Swarm in 2017 to solve a global problem: That device connectivity remains inaccessible in much of the world and is prohibitively expensive for many industries," co-founder Sara Spangelo explains. "Swarm is taking a giant step toward resolving this challenge. From the shipping lanes of the Bosphorus to the farmlands of California’s Central Valley, Swarm’s affordable network can now connect IoT devices at an unprecedented scale."
"Now, every person and IoT device can have affordable access to two-way data services from any point on Earth at all times. Our global network enables customers to build their businesses and scale them globally overnight by harnessing the power of small satellite connectivity."
To access that network, you need a modem: Swarm's in-house Swarm Tile, which the company has confirmed targets "low-bandwidth, battery-powered use cases" and will cost $119. On top of that are data service charges starting at $5 a month via an annual subscription, for which the subscriber receives 750 packets of up to 200 bytes per month — considerably cheaper than rival satellite data services.
"Swarm’s hardware and data services are a fraction of the cost of legacy satellite data providers," Spangelo says. "Swarm is often 1/10th the cost of existing satellite solutions, which opens up new markets for connectivity that previously could not afford it. Companies in precision agriculture, vehicle tracking and telematics, maritime and fishing, energy, and logistics industries have a clear need for Swarm connectivity."
The company is planning to launch 150 satellites to cover the globe with 24/7 connectivity; so far, it has launched 12 and is offering early access via its website — with over 200 companies signed up so far, the company claims.
