Iridium Launches Next Generation IoT Platform
MWN-AI** Summary
Iridium Communications Inc. has announced the launch of its next-generation IoT platform, the Iridium 9604, which integrates satellite, cellular, and GNSS technology into a compact module. This innovative device aims to simplify IoT solutions by reducing complexity and costs while enhancing deployment efficiency. As a three-in-one module, the Iridium 9604 combines Iridium Short Burst Data® (SBD®) satellite service, LTE-M cellular connectivity, and GNSS positioning, marking a significant advancement in IoT connectivity options.
According to Tim Last, the executive vice president of Iridium, this integration allows customers to create smaller, power-efficient, and location-aware solutions without the need for multiple components. The feedback from the Iridium 9604’s beta program has been positive, highlighting features such as cost savings, ease of design, and improved location-aware network selection. Notably, users have reported up to 60% reductions in board space, streamlining their operations and product designs.
Iridium’s new offering represents a shift from traditional satellite modules to a unified multi-mode connectivity architecture, enabling customers to choose among various IoT service paths. These include dual-mode solutions with the Iridium 9604 or dedicated SBD/Iridium Burst services, as well as newer standards-based direct-to-device services and larger payload capabilities with Iridium Certus technology.
Commercial availability of the Iridium 9604 is set to begin in June 2026, with a development kit already available for testing. This launch positions Iridium as a competitive player in the IoT space, addressing the growing demand for reliable and global connectivity solutions across various industries. The new platform illustrates Iridium's commitment to innovation, ultimately enhancing operational efficiencies for its clients worldwide.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) has recently made headlines with the launch of the Iridium 9604, a compact, integrated IoT platform that combines satellite, cellular, and GNSS capabilities into a single, scalable device. This innovative product not only reduces complexity and costs but also positions Iridium to effectively cater to the growing demand for dual-mode connectivity in various industries.
From a market perspective, the release of the Iridium 9604 can be viewed as a strategically significant move. By offering a tri-mode module, Iridium addresses several challenges developers face, including high costs and the need for compact solutions in sectors like industrial IoT and remote monitoring. The substantial savings of up to 60% in board space and simplified power architecture make this product particularly attractive for enterprises looking to scale their IoT deployments efficiently.
Investors should consider the potential implications of this launch on Iridium’s revenue streams. As demand for IoT solutions across different sectors continues to rise, the Iridium 9604 may give the company a competitive edge, especially in markets that require reliable global connectivity without relying solely on terrestrial networks. The positive feedback from early adopters reinforces this outlook, suggesting Iridium could see accelerated adoption rates and increased market share in the IoT landscape.
However, as with any emerging technology, there are risks to consider. Challenges surrounding the timing of commercial availability, potential competition, and maintaining the integrity of Iridium’s satellite constellation could impact financial performance in the near term.
Overall, Iridium’s move to integrate diverse connectivity options through the Iridium 9604 is a promising development that warrants close monitoring. For investors interested in the future of IoT, this could be an opportune moment to consider positioning themselves in Iridium’s stock, provided they remain cognizant of the inherent risks.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
Smaller, purpose-built, and designed for scale, the new Iridium 9604 unifies satellite, cellular, and GNSS in a single platform engineered for global IoT
MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today unveiled the Iridium 9604, a compact, three-in-one IoT module that integrates Iridium Short Burst Data® (SBD®) satellite service, LTE-M cellular connectivity, and GNSS positioning into a single platform. By combining these features in one device, the Iridium 9604 reduces solution complexity, lowers costs, and accelerates time to market, making dual-mode IoT connectivity viable for price-sensitive, high-volume deployments.
"By integrating cellular, GNSS, and Iridium satellite into a single, power-efficient module, we're giving customers the flexibility to design and deploy lower cost, smaller, power-efficient, and location-aware solutions without the burden of integrating multiple components," said Tim Last, executive vice president, Iridium. "With our best-in-class proprietary satellite IoT service and upcoming standards-based NB-IoT service debuting this year, anyone thinking about IoT beyond terrestrial networks is thinking about Iridium first."
The Iridium 9604 beta program, which launched earlier this year and was oversubscribed by a select group of companies, has generated positive industry feedback highlighting:
- Lower costs, simplified design, and enabling of location-aware network selection
- Savings of 60 percent or more in board space with the 3-in-1 module, Iridium's smallest-ever form factor
- Easy to use developer resources
"As an early Iridium 9604 developer, utilizing the three-in-one module has already fundamentally changed our product economics," said Alastair MacLeod, CEO, Ground Control. "We eliminated two components from our bill of materials, reduced our board size, and simplified our power architecture."
MacLeod continued, "Additionally, having dual mode connectivity options enables a smarter, location-aware network selection in our application. The Iridium 9604 turned what would have been a complex multi-component design into a single-module solution. This is a major breakthrough for our IoT solutions."
"Our customers require essential data and real-time intelligence to operate with confidence anywhere in the world," said Dean Welten, CEO, Everlink. "By integrating the Iridium 9604 with our secure cloud platform, we can now enable global connectivity, greater operational efficiency, and measurable impact at scale."
Representing the next phase of Iridium's IoT strategy, the Iridium 9604 is moving the company beyond traditional satellite-only modules to a unified, multi-mode connectivity architecture. The Iridium network now offers customers three IoT service paths to follow:
- Iridium SBD packaged with cellular and GNSS in the Iridium 9604 or SBD/Iridium Burst dedicated modules
- Iridium NTN Direct for standards-based direct-to-device using third-party chips
- Iridium Messaging Transport-based (IMT®) for industrial-scale, larger payload capabilities with the Iridium Certus 9704
The Iridium 9604, built on the u-blox SARA-R5 platform, delivers a compact 16 mm x 26 mm x 2.4 mm form factor, best for dual-mode IoT deployments previously cost-prohibitive across industrial, infrastructure, and mobility applications.
Commercial availability begins in June 2026 with the Iridium 9604 Development Kit made available for testing satellite and cellular services. Reserve priority access today: www.iridium.com/9604
For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world's only truly global mobile satellite network, delivering reliable voice, data, and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services anywhere on Earth. Iridium supports safety- and mission-critical operations for diverse markets such as aviation, maritime, government, emergency services, critical infrastructure, autonomous systems, and remote monitoring applications, where connectivity is essential.
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium provides its products and services through an ecosystem of 500-plus partner companies around the world. For more information, visit www.iridium.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the capabilities, benefits and availability of the Iridium 9604, expected demand by developers and the suitability of the Iridium 9604 for dual-mode IoT deployments across industrial, infrastructure, and mobility applications. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the timing of commercial availability of the Iridium 9604, the company's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 12, 2026, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Press Contact: | Investor Contact: |
Jordan Hassin | Kenneth Levy |
Iridium Communications Inc. | Iridium Communications Inc. |
+1 (703) 287-7421 | +1 (703) 287-7570 |
X: @Iridiumcomm |
SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.
FAQ**
How does the launch of the Iridium 9604 IoT platform by Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) position the company relative to its competitors in the satellite and cellular connectivity markets?
What specific advantages does the compact design of the Iridium 9604 offer to developers and businesses looking to implement IoT solutions through Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM)?
Can you detail the expected impact of the Iridium 9604's integrated features on cost reduction and deployment speed for users of Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM)?
What are the anticipated challenges and risks Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) may face as it commercializes the Iridium 9604 platform in June 2026?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Iridium Communications Inc (NASDAQ: IRDM).
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