LH Agro picks Spitfire for farm machine connectivity

LH Agro has selected Spitfire to provide mobile connectivity for its precision farming equipment in the UK, supporting tractors and combines used on farms across the country.

LH Agro's precision steering systems rely on a steady flow of GPS correction data while machines are operating in the field. Fixed base stations collect that data and send it to the company's network, which then passes the correction signal to tractors, combines and other machinery.

This creates a connectivity challenge because the machines operate in rural areas and move through locations where mobile coverage can vary. LH Agro also wanted a charging model based on actual data use rather than a shared allowance across all SIM cards, including those installed in machinery that was not in use.

Spitfire's SIMs provide the mobile link between LH Agro's base stations, network and field machinery. Through Spitfire's mobile virtual network arrangement, the SIMs are directed to a primary network but can switch to others when signal strength drops.

LH Agro is using a pay-per-megabyte billing model, with each SIM charged according to the data it consumes. The SIMs activate when inserted into a modem, allowing engineers to install them during field visits as part of a gradual rollout.

LH Agro began with a small trial involving two SIMs in one base station before extending the deployment to tractors and other moving machines. It has since made SIM installation part of routine engineering work across both base stations and farm machinery.

Field Demand

The deal reflects a wider need for dependable mobile links in agricultural technology, where equipment increasingly depends on continuous data exchange to maintain accuracy and operation. In precision steering, signal interruptions can affect how machinery follows planned routes across fields.

For providers such as LH Agro, commercial terms can matter as much as network coverage. A usage-based charging model may be better suited to fleets in which some machines operate intensively during seasonal periods while others remain idle for longer stretches.

Rowan Reed, Sales & Support Engineer at LH Agro, described the rollout in practical terms. "From a performance standpoint, everything's been great. The SIMs get put into modems, they activate instantly, we've got good connectivity and they roam well. Being able to pay for exactly what we're using, it allows us to be a lot more competitive with our pricing, which directly benefits our customers," Reed said.

Demand for mobile connectivity in agriculture is increasing as more farm systems depend on connected devices and remote data exchange. Spitfire provides voice, internet, internet of things and wide area network services, and said rural use cases are becoming a more visible part of that market.

Harry Bowlby, Managing Director at Spitfire, linked the contract to broader changes in the sector. "Agriculture is becoming increasingly connected with the use of technology growing on farms across the UK. This technology depends on connectivity that can work reliably in the field, often in rural locations and with machinery constantly on the move. LH Agro is a great example of how flexible connectivity can support this. We're seeing growing demand for reliable connectivity across agriculture, and we're excited to be supporting businesses like LH Agro as connected technology becomes an increasingly important part of modern farming," Bowlby said.

Spitfire has been operating for 35 years, has more than 100 staff and reports turnover above GBP £23 million.