[SatNews] Low-cost two-way satellite messaging is an impressive goal that is now possible.

AWS and Applied Satellite Technology Ltd (AST) announce a strategic partnership for the provision of end-to-end tracking solutions for the new Iridium Extreme™ satellite phone. The two UK based companies have agreed to work together to create a market leading proposition for low cost two-way satellite messaging.

AST is a leading provider of satellite equipment and airtime for land and maritime, with more than 20 years’ experience in the field of satellite communications. AST markets and sells Satellite Navigation Emergency Devices, Vessel Monitoring System Devices and will add the Global Alerting Platform (GAP), a pay-as-you-go, cloud based, globally scalable system for satellite messaging, tracking and alerting by AWS to their onsat-track portfolio of products.

AWS is a leading edge software company, based in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic, that provides global tracking solutions for satellite communications. AWS is an Iridium LBS Preferred Portal Supplier. The Company has been pioneering the use of low cost satellite messaging technology through its work with Iridium and the UK Search and Rescue authorities. AWS has integrated GAP with ASTs provisioning and billing processes to provide an end-to-end one-stop-shop for satellite messaging solutions.

Both organizations are members of the Iridium partner ecosystem and members of the PROTects Alliance. Richard Prodger, Technical Director at AWS, commented, “We are delighted to be working with AST to bring this exciting new technology to market. The relationship builds on our joint work with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).”

David Davies, Director at AST Group commented, “The AWS GAP provides a significant value-add for our customers enabling tracking and delivery of alerts for Iridium’s brand new and industry-leading Extreme handset, for which AST is delighted to be a Launch Partner’.