A request by Iridium to make extending the functionality of narrowband internet of things for non-terrestrial networks an official part of the Work Plan for 3GPP Release 19 — set for completion by the fourth quarter of 2025 — has been approved by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. Iridium said Wednesday that the approval will […] More

Iridium Communications, a mobile satellite communications company, officially launched the Iridium Certus Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, or GMDSS, on Aug. 3. The company said Tuesday Iridium Certus GMDSS will work to integrate distress alert, safety voice, maritime safety information, long-range identification and tracking and ship security alert system features into a single terminal. The […] More

Iridium CEO Matt Desch accepted his 2024 Wash100 Award in a recent meeting with Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson, who founded the award. Wash100 annually recognizes government contracting industry executives that have exhibited exceptional leadership. These individuals are identified using an intense selection process that evaluates the impact of each nominee’s past accomplishments as well as their potential to continue shaping the GovCon field.

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Matt Desch bagged his 10th Wash100 award in 2024. For a decade, he has propelled telecommunications, satellite, and technology industries and shaped the government contracting landscape into a future-forward domain for citizens, leaders, and the next generation.   Learn more about Matt Desch and his decade-long journey to becoming one of the foremost leaders in […] More

For Iridium Communications CEO and 2024 Wash100 winner Matt Desch, the resolution of the various issues surrounding satellite-cellular convergence is "inevitable" but it is taking some time. One of the issues that remains unclear involves viable and profitable business models for direct-to-device converged services, though the satellite and cellular industries appear interested.

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Iridium Communications looks to expand its portfolio of assured positioning, navigation and timing services through a potential $115 million deal to acquire Satelles. Reston, Virginia-based Satelles is a provider of satellite-based time and location services that work to complement and secure GPS and other GNSS-reliant systems, Iridium said Monday.

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South Korea's Ministry of Defense has implemented Iridium Communications' satellite communications products and services to advance the South Korean army's position and data tracking capabilities. Arion Communication, an Iridium service provider, helped facilitate the deployment of over 1,000 Iridium Connected satellite position reporting equipment devices, Iridium said Wednesday.

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Iridium Communications is developing a narrowband-internet of things non-terrestrial network service based on 3GPP 5G standards that would enable direct-to-device capabilities like 5G NTN messaging and emergency SOS on mobile. Iridium said Wednesday that the NB-NTN service, called Project Stardust, will be deployed on its existing constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, which are already undergoing early-stage programming to accommodate the requirements of partner companies like smartphone makers, mobile network operators and chipmakers.

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Iridium Communications has sent five spare satellites to orbit as part of its 10-year constellation resilience plan and in an effort to ensure continued delivery of critical network services to end users. The company announced Saturday that it launched additional spare satellites on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, bringing its on-orbit spacecraft to 14. In […] More

Recently retired marketing and technology executive Jacqueline Yeaney has been selected as a member of Iridium’s board of directors, a role she assumed earlier this month. In this position, Yeaney is responsible for collaborating with her colleagues on the board to guide Iridium’s business strategy, the McLean, Virginia-headquartered company said Monday. “As Iridium continues our strong growth and […] More

Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium, recently met with Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson to receive his 2023 Wash100 Award. A Wash100 win represents the highest honor for executives in the vast government contracting industry. For 10 years, the award has hand-picked the strongest, most influential leaders in the field using a complex selection process that carefully weighs the […] More

Iridium Communications has designated the National Geographic Society Exploration Technology Lab as a value-added developer of Iridium Connected devices as part of a philanthropic program with the National Geographic Society meant to advance research and exploration. Iridium said Tuesday it will work with the Exploration Technology Lab to develop technologies that could deliver satellite communications […] More