One NZ (New Zealand operator) partnered with APIS Solutions to build the world’s first commercial Starlink Direct to Cell IoT network, dedicated to remote beehive monitoring.
Hardware: Off-the-shelf low-cost CAT-1 / CAT-4 modules with minor modifications connect directly to Starlink satellites (no dedicated antenna required).
Capabilities: Real-time tracking of hive temperature, humidity, bee activity, honey production, and even predictive alerts for when to move hives to new pastures.
Why it’s game-changing: Many New Zealand apiaries are in mountainous or remote farmland with zero cellular coverage. Previously, data collection relied on manual visits or expensive legacy satellite gear. Now Starlink delivers low latency (~25–35 ms) and ultra-low power, streaming data straight to the cloud.
Impact: Beekeepers optimize yields remotely, reduce colony losses, and adapt to climate variability. APIS’s “iAPIS Satellite-Ready” kit was first showcased at Fieldays and is now in live commercial use.Super practical and low-barrier example — imagine applying the same approach to tea gardens, orchards, or fish farms in remote parts of Hong Kong or mainland China for soil moisture, pest detection, or water quality monitoring.