Access to the internet through CNH and Intelsat

Customers of CNH Industrial in Brazil, operating in agricultural areas without mobile network coverage, will gain access to fast internet in the second half of 2024 through an Intelsat satellite terminal. This will enable them to facilitate communication between their machines and utilize precision techniques. - Photo: CNHi

CNH Industrial, the parent company of tractor brands New Holland, Case IH, and Steyr, is partnering with satellite company Intelsat to provide farmers with access to fast internet in agricultural areas where satellite communication is not available.

According to the United Nations, only 33% of the Earth’s surface has access to fast mobile networks. Precision agriculture is not feasible in areas lacking satellite communication.

CNH Industrial aims to provide access to fast internet even in the most remote agricultural areas and is therefore collaborating with satellite company Intelsat. This collaboration will enable machines to exchange data and utilize GPS functionalities.

Start in agricultural areas of Brazi

The initiative will begin in agricultural areas of Brazil, where only 19% of the land has access to fast mobile internet, according to ConectarAgro. ConectarAgro aims to provide 4G internet access in remote agricultural areas in Brazil.

Fast internet will become available in these remote agricultural areas in the second half of 2024. Brazilian farmers will be able to have an Intelsat satellite terminal installed and maintained by CNH dealers in their tractor cabins.

John Deere partners with SpaceX

Following the rollout in Brazil, other areas including the United States and Australia will be targeted. CNH is not the first agricultural machinery manufacturer to offer such internet solutions. Earlier this year, John Deere announced a partnership with SpaceX to develop solutions for precision agriculture in remote areas without internet access. This rollout is also expected to begin on a small scale in the United States and Brazil.