Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) has revealed that COMSAT Inc., Gilat Telecom, Globecomm, MetOcean Telematics, NSSLGlobal, Trace Systems and Wireless Innovation, have all officially been added as Iridium CertusSM service providers for land-mobile applications.
Ideal for organizations in need of “on-the-move” connectivity solutions, Iridium Certus will bring a full suite of services enabling the first truly globally connected vehicles when used with the Thales MissionLINK™ terminal. Each of these new Iridium Certus service providers will play a crucial role in distributing the next-generation service to their unique customer networks. The addition of these seven companies brings the total number of service providers for land-mobile applications to 20.
The Iridium Certus service includes features like high-quality voice calling and low latency IP data with speeds debuting at 352 Kbps, and upgradable to 704 Kbps download speeds with a future firmware release. This will provide the fastest reliable L-band satellite broadband connectivity on the market. Land-mobile users will gain access to a truly connected environment whether at a remote work site or on-the-move with connected vehicles.
Due to the architecture of the Iridium satellite constellation, with 66 crosslinked, low-earth-orbit satellites, users will experience consistent data speeds everywhere on the planet, unlike geostationary networks that experience degraded performance at higher latitudes or may be blocked entirely by mountains or other obstructions. This consistency can give end-users the peace-of-mind that key features of the Iridium Certus service, like dynamic service access, will remain accessible. Dynamic service access will allow multiple users to place phone calls via smartphone or wired line while simultaneously using the satellite data connection to send and receive email messages and access online information. In addition, the solution will enable creation of a ‘radio gateway’, providing connectivity through the Thales MissionLINK terminal that will allow Land Mobile Radio (LMR) users to integrate SATCOM with their dispatch centers, or link field LMR teams together allowing them to communicate over the Iridium satellite network. This can expand the reach of LMR systems beyond line of site and enable SATCOM to LMR communication, globally.
Enabled by Iridium NEXT, the company’s next-generation, $3 billion satellite constellation, Iridium Certus will provide higher quality voice capabilities, alongside enterprise-grade broadband functionality, for the entire planet, whether on land, in the air or at sea. To date, there have been six successful Iridium NEXT launches, deploying 55 new satellites. Two additional launches are planned for 2018 to complete the constellation of 75 new satellites, of which 66 will be in the active constellation, with nine on-orbit spares. The seventh launch is currently targeted by SpaceX for July 20, 2018 out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Josh Miner, VP land-mobile business, Iridium, said that each service provider is invaluable to the success of Iridium Certus. Having an expansive distribution network is at the core of the company's business strategy and helps the firm to directly address the need for reliable connectivity anywhere on the planet. With Iridium Certus, there will be greater speed capability with the same resilience and dependability the Iridium network is known for. The service work across the globe and the hardware is small and able to withstand harsh conditions, making it a very competitive option for today’s ever-expanding market.”
Iridium is onsite at the CommunicAsia ConnecTech Exhibition and Summit at the Marina Bay Sands & Suntec Singapore between Tuesday, June 26th and Thursday June 28th, 2018 at the Marina Bay Sands Level 1, Booth 1Q2-01