Design9

What Design9 does

Design9 Pty Ltd is an Australian privately-held satellite integration and M2M (machine-to-machine) connectivity provider headquartered in Gosford, New South Wales. Founded in 2009, the company resells and integrates third-party satellite terminals — Cobham EXPLORER series, Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M modems, and Orbcomm IDP terminals (ST6100, ST9100, ST2100) — over Inmarsat's BGAN M2M, BGAN Link, and IsatData Pro networks. The company provides an in-house device management portal called Voltron, together with custom engineering services covering analog/digital IO, MODBUS, RS232/RS485 serial integration, custom scripting, and tailored airtime plan configuration.

The company primarily serves enterprise and government customers in Australia across mining, oil and gas, maritime/commercial fishing, utilities, environmental management, transportation/rail, and agriculture. Its principal regulated offering is VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) hardware for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Victorian Fisheries Australia (VFA) commercial fishing compliance programmes, where Design9 holds approved-supplier status. The company positions itself as a specialist in remote telemetry for sites lacking reliable cellular coverage, with engineering-led solution design and integration into customer PLC, SCADA, and web platforms.

Design9 monetises through four streams: (i) hardware resale of satellite M2M terminals and accessories, (ii) recurring satellite airtime subscriptions and pooled data plans, (iii) custom engineering and integration services, and (iv) managed VMS compliance solutions. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, conducted via phone (+61 2 4321 0727) and email ([email protected]) with specialist engineering support. No funding rounds, acquisitions, leadership changes, or revenue figures are disclosed in the source material.

Name

Design9

Legal name

Design9 Pty Ltd

Website

https://design9.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Design9 Pty Ltd is an Australian satellite M2M and IoT integration provider based in Gosford, NSW, reselling Inmarsat-connected terminals from Cobham, Hughes, and Orbcomm while offering the Voltron device management portal, custom engineering integration, and AFMA/VFA-approved VMS compliance solutions for enterprise and government customers across mining, oil and gas, maritime, and utilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite M2M Connectivity Services

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Network Architecture & Design Services (BPAEAEAA)

Keywords

• Satellite M2M connectivity
• Remote telemetry solutions
• BGAN satellite terminals
• Vessel monitoring systems
• Industrial IoT integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Gosford

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of satellite M2M terminals including BGAN terminals (Cobham EXPLORER 323, Sabre RANGER 5000, EXPLORER 540, EXPLORER 510, Hughes 9502) and IDP terminals (Orbcomm ST9100, ST2100). Hardware includes specialized connectors, cables, and mounting equipment.
2. Satellite Airtime Services: Recurring satellite connectivity services including BGAN M2M plans, BGAN Link gigabyte plans, and IDP message-based telemetry. Plans range from low usage small scale deployments through bulk pooled data plans for large distributors.
3. Custom Engineering & Integration Services: Tailored solution design combining devices, data and software. Includes custom software scripts, enclosures, mountings, web platform development, and airtime plan configuration.
4. VMS Compliance Solutions: Pre-programmed VMS terminals and services for AFMA and VFA commercial fishing compliance programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Design9 provides satellite integration and M2M (machine-to-machine) connectivity solutions for remote telemetry, supplying BGAN M2M and IDP satellite terminals, satellite airtime services (BGAN M2M, BGAN Link, IsatData Pro), and the proprietary Voltron online portal for device visibility and remote control. The company also delivers custom engineering, software scripting, MODBUS/RS232/RS485 integration, and pre-programmed Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) terminals approved by AFMA and VFA for commercial fishing compliance.

Product overview

Design9 offers a portfolio of satellite connectivity and M2M solutions comprising satellite terminals, web-based monitoring platforms, and managed connectivity services. The hardware portfolio includes BGAN terminals (Cobham EXPLORER 323, EXPLORER 540, EXPLORER 510, Hughes 9502 Integrated, Hughes 9502 2-piece, Sabre RANGER 5000) and IDP terminals (Orbcomm ST9100, ST2100, ST6100 VMS). The Voltron online portal provides device visibility with graphs, maps, data usage, and remote control. Connectivity services include BGAN M2M for industrial IoT, BGAN Link for gigabyte plans without excess charges, and Inmarsat IsatData Pro for low-power telemetry. Custom solutions include engineering support, custom software scripts, enclosures, web platform development, and tailored airtime plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Voltron: An online portal designed to allow complete visibility of devices including graphs, maps, data usage and remote control all in one place.

Products and services

• Cobham EXPLORER 323 BGAN Terminal Ultra compact comms-on-the-move BGAN satellite terminal with combined transceiver and omni-directional antenna, integrated WiFi, and no moving parts, sold for demanding remote environments and M2M connectivity.
• Sabre RANGER 5000 Terminal Compact, rugged all-IP satellite terminal designed for all-weather long-term exposure, suited to SCADA applications in remote unmanned locations with SMS-based remote management.
• Cobham EXPLORER 540 BGAN M2M Terminal Dual-mode cellular plus BGAN M2M rugged terminal providing reliable and secure IP data in harsh environments, used for IP SCADA data backhaul, asset tracking, real-time surveillance, and remote telemetry.
• Cobham EXPLORER 510 Terminal Portable, lightweight voice and broadband data satellite terminal with durable magnesium casing, dust and water resistance, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability for field workforce connectivity.
• Hughes 9502 Integrated BGAN M2M Modem Integrated BGAN M2M modem with compact antenna, extremely rugged for extreme weather, exceptionally low power consumption, ideal for SCADA and unattended sites.
• Hughes 9502 2-piece BGAN M2M Modem 3G IP-based satellite modem with semi-directional antenna, usable as always-on IP data link or powered from sleep mode, suitable for connecting data loggers and RTUs at remote sites.
• Orbcomm ST9100 Dual-mode Terminal Satellite-cellular connectivity terminal for cost-effective tracking, monitoring, and control of remote assets, featuring multi-network connectivity, multiple I/Os, and Bluetooth integration.
• Orbcomm ST2100 Modem Simplified architecture satellite messaging modem with AT Command set for quick integration with external PLCs and controllers, featuring built-in GNSS for global location tracking.
• Orbcomm ST6100 VMS Terminal Rugged satellite Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) terminal with two-way global IsatData Pro connectivity, configurable applications and custom script support, approved by AFMA and VFA for commercial fishing compliance, certified CE, FCC, IEC 60945, IP67, C1D2, and FFA.
• Voltron Online Portal Design9's proprietary web-based portal providing complete visibility of satellite-connected devices in one place, with graphs, maps, data usage monitoring, and remote control functionality.
• BGAN M2M Connectivity Service Inmarsat BGAN M2M global two-way IP data service for long-term machine-to-machine management, with usage-based and bulk pooled data plans up to 448kbps and 99.9% availability, including remote terminal management and debugging.
• BGAN Link Connectivity Service BGAN Link gigabyte data plans with no excess data charges, providing predictable cost monthly subscriptions for satellite data with Standard IP speeds up to 492kbps and simultaneous data and voice communications.
• Inmarsat IsatData Pro (IDP) Service Mission-critical low-power two-way satellite data service for industrial IoT applications with global coverage, near real-time messaging (100-byte message in under 15 seconds), and ultra-low power consumption for long-term deployments.
• Custom Engineering & Integration Services Tailored solution design and integration service combining devices, data plans, and software, including custom scripts for terminals to pull sensor data and push to customer web platforms, plus enclosures, mountings, web platform development, and airtime plan configuration for enterprise and government customers.
• VMS Compliance Solutions Pre-programmed VMS terminals, airtime, and managed services supplied to AFMA and VFA commercial fishing compliance programmes, providing approved hardware and connectivity for vessel position, bearing, and speed reporting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% availability for BGAN M2M service (except extreme polar regions)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• InmarsatcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary satellite network partner providing BGAN M2M, BGAN Link, and IsatData Pro (IDP) satellite services. Inmarsat provides global two-way IP data service for long-term M2M management with 99.9% availability. Design9 is an authorised provider of Inmarsat satellite connectivity solutions in Australia.
• HughescoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of BGAN satellite terminals including Hughes 9502 Integrated and Hughes 9502 2-piece BGAN M2M modems. Hughes terminals provide reliable IP data connectivity for remote M2M applications with low power consumption.
• OrbcommcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of IDP terminals including Orbcomm ST6100 VMS terminal and ST9100 dual-mode satellite-cellular terminal. Orbcomm provides cost-effective tracking, monitoring and control solutions for remote assets.
• CobhamcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of EXPLORER BGAN terminals including EXPLORER 323, EXPLORER 510, and EXPLORER 540. Cobham terminals provide portable, rugged satellite communications for voice and data connectivity.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Eseye: Global IoT connectivity provider offering managed multi-network cellular and satellite connectivity with a device management platform. Comparable to Design9's combination of multi-network hardware, managed connectivity, and a device management portal (Voltron equivalent).
• Kore Wireless: Major global MVNO and IoT/M2M connectivity provider offering cellular and satellite IoT services with management platforms. Competes with Design9 for enterprise customers deploying remote telemetry across satellite networks.
• Wireless Logic: UK-based IoT connectivity platform providing managed cellular and satellite M2M services globally. Comparable business model to Design9 with multi-network hardware integration and value-added connectivity services for industrial IoT customers.
• M2M Connectivity: Australian specialist distributor and integrator of M2M/IoT connectivity solutions including cellular and satellite modules. Highly comparable to Design9 in customer base (enterprise, government, system integrators) and product positioning (multi-carrier hardware resale with integration services).
• Pivotel Group: Australia-headquartered satellite communications provider offering satellite M2M, IoT and remote connectivity solutions across Inmarsat, Iridium and other networks. Direct competitor to Design9 in the Australian remote-asset and government satellite M2M market, with overlapping verticals (mining, agriculture, maritime).

Broad incumbents

• Inmarsat: Global satellite communications operator providing BGAN M2M, BGAN Link and IsatData Pro (Design9's core connectivity services). While Design9 resells Inmarsat, Inmarsat's direct enterprise channels compete for the same Australian remote-asset customers.
• Digi International: Provider of cellular routers, gateways and IoT/M2M hardware with cloud management platform (Digi Remote Manager). Overlaps with Design9's integration of routers/gateways for SCADA and asset-monitoring use cases, but at much larger scale.
• Orbcomm: Global satellite IoT network operator and terminal manufacturer (and Design9 partner). Competes at the carrier level with end-to-end hardware, connectivity and platform offerings that can bypass integrators like Design9.

Others

• Addvalue Technologies: Singapore-based satellite communications company and Design9 supplier of M2M terminals. Adjacent rather than directly competing, but operates in the same satellite M2M ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Blue Sky Network: Provider of satellite-based asset tracking, fleet management and VMS/regulatory compliance solutions for aviation and maritime. Comparable to Design9's VMS offering for fisheries compliance and to its maritime tracking capabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Design9