Iridium Communications Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Iridium Communications Inc., a provider of global voice and data satellite communications launched the Iridium Certus™9704, its newest  IoT module, and Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit. This transformational new module, featuring Iridium Messaging Transport® (IMT®) technology, is the smallest and most powerful created by Iridium, ideal for supporting satellite IoT applications that require real-time data analysis, analytics, and automated decision-making. Iridium Certus 9704 The Iridium Certus 9704 provides larger file transfer sizes and faster message speeds than previous Iridium® IoT modules, delivering data, picture, and audio messages for industrial (IIoT), machine-to-machine (M2M), and remote personnel use cases. Like other Iridium Connected® devices, the Iridium Certus 9704 can provide two-way IoT services anywhere in the world, making fast and reliable connections to a broad array of applications. Data transfer requirements The module's larger-sized data messages are also ideal for remote sensing applications protecting wildlife The Iridium Certus 9704 architecture simplifies data transfer requirements for use cases like predictive maintenance, diagnostics, telemetry monitoring, remote asset tracking, and command and control for uncrewed aircraft, vehicles, and vessels. The module's larger-sized data messages are also ideal for remote sensing applications protecting wildlife, detecting wildfires and flooding, and enabling a new generation of purpose-built satellite messengers and personal safety devices. Smallest module ever "We've now packed more capability and value into the smallest module ever from Iridium," said Matt Desch, CEO, of Iridium. "When companies choose to develop with Iridium, they know they are partnering with the pioneer in satellite IoT applications, and we'll support them through the development and deployment of their solutions. We're excited to see how they implement this new technology." Ease of integration Designed for ease of integration, the Iridium Certus 9704 is 34% smaller than the Iridium 9603, 79% smaller than the Iridium 9602, and has an 83% reduction in idle power consumption compared to both. This power optimisation makes the new module ideal for supporting battery-powered applications while taking advantage of two-way messaging, including delivery confirmation, over Iridium's low-latency, truly global satellite network. Satellite IoT applications The new module can help organisations become more future-ready as AI becomes integrated with IoT Ideal for supporting traditional satellite IoT applications, the new module can also help organisations become more future-ready as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes integrated with IoT services, known as AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things). With this integration, satellite AIoT services should quickly follow, and companies that deploy products with Iridium Certus 9704 modules inside can then choose to offload more computing to the cloud in a single message, where an AIoT engine can quickly make decisions and send new, actionable instructions back to the remote device. Real-time data, audio, or image This can lessen the required edge device processing power, lower hardware cost, and increase battery life and overall device lifespan. With IMT at its core, a built-in topic-sorting capability means messages can be efficiently organised for delivery to the appropriate engine for various types of real-time data, audio, or image analysis.   Development Kit "The Iridium Certus 9704 module and Development Kit were designed with the developer in mind," said Omar Azad, associate director, of product management, at Iridium. "We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone to experience the new module's capabilities and the quality of the IMT service. When they're ready to take the next step and build a product to take to market, we're there to support them with our decades of experience in the satellite IoT space." Test kit features The kit is initially available to prospective Iridium customers for evaluation of Iridium Certus 9704 The Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit is a complete test kit featuring a motherboard, power supply, antenna, module, and software from the popular Arduino platform. It was designed to provide maximum autonomy and flexibility for developers, coming with 1,000 free messages and GitLab-hosted reference materials. The kit is initially available to prospective Iridium customers for evaluation of the Iridium Certus 9704 module and IMT data service. Iridium has partnered with Blynk to give developers an all-in-one platform for data visualisation and a rapid unboxing-to-live-testing experience. Weather-resilient satellite constellation Iridium operates the world's only truly global, weather-resilient satellite constellation designed to reliably deliver critical data to and from anywhere on the planet. As the satellite IoT market pioneer, Iridium's IoT service revenue has been growing at an 11% CAGR over the last 10 years. Iridium goes to market through more than 500 companies around the world that integrate its core technology modules, like the Iridium Certus 9704, and sell airtime access to its network. The Iridium Certus 9704 has received FCC and ISED authorisations for use, with additional regulatory approvals pending.

Iridium Communications Inc. a provider of global voice and data satellite communications, announces the Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded the General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and Iridium team a $491.6 million contract modification in support of its Ground Management and Integration (GMI) program for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Of this amount, Iridium's share has a value of $239 million over five years. This award follows an initial Operations and Integration Contract award in 2022 to build ground entry points and operations centers and manage network operations and systems integration services. Innovative commercial strategies "We are committed to delivering SDA and our warfighters an innovative and effective ground system that leverages the many years of Iridium's unparalleled commercial LEO development and operations expertise, helping to ensure they are prepared for the challenges of today and the future," said Scott Scheimreif, executive vice president, government programs, Iridium. "Iridium is excited to be part of this groundbreaking SDA program with our partner General Dynamics Mission Systems." Iridium is the pioneer in commercial satellite communications network management With over 20 years of experience operating a crosslinked low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, Iridium is the pioneer in commercial satellite communications network management. This unique expertise which includes ground segments, orbital operations and space sustainability leadership, is dedicated to supporting the SDA's efforts to integrate innovative commercial strategies that help the United States quickly deploy the most effective space technologies available in support of the warfighter. New contract modification Through this new contract modification, the GDMS-Iridium team will deliver a forward-compatible, state-of-the-art ground system developed in close partnership with SDA and related stakeholders. The companies will manage integration of the ground enterprise with SDA's Tranche 2 constellation. This includes all required services ranging from engineering design and analysis to testing, maintenance, infrastructure management and site support.

Iridium Communications Inc., a globally renowned provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced its collaboration with Nordic Semiconductor for early integration of its Iridium NTN Direct℠ service into Nordic's LTE-M/NB-IoT modules and chipsets. Nordic Semiconductor is a global major in low power wireless connectivity solutions, including cellular IoT (LTE-M, NB-IoT), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread and is trusted by world’s major brands across the consumer, industrial, and healthcare segments. Nordic’s complete cellular IoT solutions are ideally suited for connected devices for global tracking, utility metering and industrial remote monitoring and control. Iridium NTN Direct Iridium NTN Direct is planned to be the world’s first truly global NB-IoT service Iridium NTN Direct is planned to be the world’s first truly global NB-IoT service. The product of Iridium's Project Stardust initiative, Iridium is developing this capability in coordination with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project's (3GPP) recent decision to accept Iridium enabling enhancements in its next release. This would allow Iridium's satellite service to be accessible by any device with a 3GPP release 19 compliant chipset. Nordic to incorporate Iridium NTN Direct service Nordic plans to incorporate the Iridium NTN Direct service’s truly global communication capability, as part of its 3GPP release 19 NTN roadmap, taking advantage of the established reliability and experience of the Iridium® network. “Nordic Semiconductor is an industry leader that continues to be at the forefront of innovation with its low power LTE-M and NB-IoT modules and chipsets,” said Bryan Hartin, Executive Vice President at Iridium. Iridium NTN Direct integration with Nordic’s modules Bryan Hartin adds, “The integration of Iridium NTN Direct into its modules and chipsets marks a new chapter in Nordic's storied history and will create a universe of consumer and industrial devices with the capability to stay connected from anywhere on earth. We look forward to working with Nordic Semiconductor and them bringing both their chipset- and device-side experience to the Iridium ecosystem.” “Iridium is a global leader in satellite communications,” said Oyvind Birkenes, Executive Vice President for the Long Range BU at Nordic Semiconductor. Iridium and Nordic Semiconductor partnership Oyvind Birkenes adds, “It is exciting that Iridium is taking the step to enable low-cost, 3GPP-standard NB-IoT modules and chipsets like Nordic's nRF9151 to connect to its network of satellites. This helps bring the vision of universal connectivity for global and massive IoT to life.” The Iridium network is ideal for D2D and NB-IoT services with its truly global coverage, weather-resilient, globally coordinated spectrum, and history of providing safety of life services with the highest reliability. 3GPP Release 19 is expected to be formally completed by the end of 2025.