California-based Ground Control has merged with two UK-based companies, Wireless Innovation and Rock Seven, to provide satellite and cellular connectivity services for M2M and IoT applications around the world.

With the combined product range including RockAir, RockStar and Toughsat devices, Ground Control says it can offer unrivalled choice and deep industry knowledge.

The merger has been anticipated since Wireless Innovation acquired Rock Seven in 2018 and Ground Control in 2019 to form a global brand with core expertise in asset tracking, M2M connectivity, managed secure networks including TSat and BGan M2M, and global voice and data.

“I’m delighted to lead our rapidly developing organisation at such a pivotal time of growth and opportunity,” said Alastair MacLeod, Ground Control’s CEO. “Ground Control encompasses a wide range of satellite and cellular data solutions from Wireless Innovation and Rock Seven. Through continued innovation and backed by the strength of a single, globally recognised brand, it’s our mission to provide businesses with complete connectivity and control.”

He said the firm’s technology and expertise could help deliver important and valuable data sets from anywhere, manage systems where others could not, and create communications links from the field.

“From governments, multinationals and utility providers, to start-ups and entrepreneurs, we develop and deliver the kit that gets our customers’ data back, no matter how remote,” he said.

Established in 2000, Ground Control was a start-up in the city of Atascadero, California. Acquired by Wireless Innovation in 2019, it continued to be a household name in North America. Now, the group’s new, singular brand encapsulates the company’s technological specialisms and expertise – appealing to utilities, renewables, maritime and agriculture customers in multiple markets, putting the business on a trajectory of what it hopes will become the market leading M2M and IoT end-to-end provider. An ecommerce-enabled web site with customer portal is due to arrive this month.

Ground Control was launched when a triumvirate of brands united to create a technology and service provider in satellite and IoT. It specialises in retrieving data from remote and harsh environments including freight at sea, areas of natural disasters and remote climates. Network agnosticism and end-to-end consultancy, design, build and implementation capabilities mean it can create bespoke offerings. It partners satellite service providers including Iridium and Inmarsat.