Recreation
Combined with the increase of participation in outdoor activities due to COVID-19, demand is increasing for personal satellite trackers, satellite phones, WiFi hotspots, and SOS beacons. These devices allow users to call for help in an emergency, stay connected with loved ones, or even post their adventures to social media. As consumers spend more time connected with their smartphones in everyday life it seems the more they want that same connection even when they’re going off-grid.
The latest figures from Iridium confirm that consumers are relying more on satellite communication when they go off-grid. Their data shows that in the month of August 2020, there was a 26% year-over-year increase in Iridium subscribers visiting the top 10 most visited national parks in the United States.*An increase in the number of people heading off the beaten track combined with the desire to stay connected is leading outdoor enthusiasts across the globe to invest in satellite communications.