CNH partners with SpaceX’s Starlink to boost rural farm connectivity

CNH Industrial has signed an agreement with Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to integrate high-speed satellite connectivity across its agricultural equipment brands, including Case IH, New Holland, and STEYR.

The partnership aims to improve digital connectivity for farmers operating in remote areas, supporting the use of precision agriculture tools that rely on continuous data transmission. According to CNH, the satellite service will allow its machines to maintain real-time communication and access cloud-based platforms, even in rural regions with limited broadband infrastructure.

“Our customers will be able to maximise the potential of our precision technology suite in the most challenging rural environments,” said Stefano Pampalone, Chief Commercial Officer for CNH’s agriculture segment.

The integration of Starlink’s low-latency internet service will support CNH’s digital platforms, such as FieldOps and FieldXplorer. The former offers real-time visibility into machinery operations, while the latter uses AI to convert drone imagery into weed and crop maps for targeted chemical application.

One of the main benefits will be the ability to rapidly transmit data necessary for tasks like prescription spraying, especially in regions such as Brazil, where patchy connectivity often hampers the timely use of digital tools. By enabling near-instant export of AI-generated maps, farmers can act more quickly to manage weeds and protect crop yields.