Harvest Technology signs global deal

Perth-based Harvest Technology Group has signed a partner deal with satellite communications company Inmarsat, adding to several other agreements with global companies.

ASX-listed Harvest is just the second company globally to join Inmarsat’s partner network for its Velaris connectivity solution.

Harvest’s proprietary protocol, which supports communication in remote and challenging locations with ultra-low bandwidth, will be used in this case to support the commercial UAV (drone) market.

It means people working from control rooms, or in their office, on on a laptop at home, can securely join live UAV operations.

Inmarsat said users will be able to see developments happening in real-time with resolutions, operational direction, and control like never before.

Harvest chief executive Paul Guilfoyle said the agreement was a testimony to the work his team has done developing and testing the technology.

“To see global recognition, it’s a fantastic outcome,” he told Business News.

Mr Guilfoyle said Harvest would deliver a solution that combined its top-tier security, encryption and data transfer with the global connectivity offered by Inmarsat’s Velaris.

“And together, we will also continue to develop additional game-changing capabilities to support the rapid growth expected in this industry over the coming years,” he said.

Today’s announcement adds to two other agreements between the companies.

Harvest has joined Inmarsat’s applications and solution provider (ASP) program, which is focused on land-based industries such as agriculture, and in January joined its certified application provider (CAP) network for the maritime market.

Mr Guilfoyle said the CAP agreement would support Harvest’s goal of getting its technology on 1,000 maritime vessels by the end of 2022.

Other companies Harvest is working with include Fugro, Speedcast and Cisco.

Inmarsat’s Senior Director of UAVs & Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Anthony Spouncer said its Velaris partner network was focused on unlocking ground-breaking innovation and capabilities for the commercial UAV market.

“We are delighted to welcome Harvest Technology Group as the latest member,” he said.

“Its rugged and reliable HD livestream video and command and control (C2) data technology with advanced security and encryption, will play a key role as part of our vision for a world-class UAV ecosystem.

“This is a major step forward in the programme and reinforces Inmarsat’s position as a catalyst in this fast-growing industry.”