Adoption data suggest that industrial IoT is already accelerating. 78% of respondents report increased progress in the past 12 months, up from 68% the previous year. More than half, 55%, now use satellite in their IoT estates, compared with 41% a year earlier. The chart on page 9 shows this change clearly, with hybrid connectivity overtaking terrestrial only deployments.

There is also a reported performance gap. 86% of organisations blending satellite and cellular connectivity report increased progress, compared with 70% of terrestrial only users. It may be that satellite enhances outcomes, or that more advanced programmes are more willing to invest in hybrid connectivity. For decision-makers, the important point is correlation not proof of effect.

Budget signals reinforce this trajectory. 93% of respondents plan to increase IoT spending, with an average uplift of 27%. Even organisations reporting limited progress intend to expand budgets. The indicates that IoT connectivity, including satellite, is being treated as infrastructure not discretionary experimentation.

However, cost is the most frequently cited obstacle to satellite adoption in IoT projects. 69% of terrestrial only respondents and 57% of hybrid users identify cost as a challenge. High hardware costs are linked to limited device availability, cited by 39% of terrestrial only and 35% of hybrid respondents.

Integration complexity is also significant. 47% of terrestrial only teams report difficulty linking satellite into existing platforms. Among hybrid users, 60% cite complexity, whether in managing dual networks or the satellite solutions themselves. Sector differences are apparent: In transport, 51% of hybrid respondents report integration challenges, reflecting the regulatory and roaming complexities of large cross-border fleets. In mining, high device costs are more acute, with 44% flagging this issue.

Intent to adopt D2D is strong. 90% of respondents agree that D2D will accelerate IoT adoption. 26% intend to adopt in six months, 69% in 12 months and 91% in 18 months, with the report showing a concentration of adoption plans in the next year. Transport leads sectoral intent, with 81% planning adoption in 12 months.

Yet feasibility lags behind respondees’ ambitions. 81% believe D2D adoption will only be feasible after one to two years. External barriers include high cost, cited by 53%, limited device availability at 38%, and integration challenges at 37%. 34% note a lack of proven use cases, and internally, 39% report a preference for existing connectivity technologies, 37% cite lack of expertise. A quarter of respondents could not accurately define D2D when prompted.