Iridium Communications Inc. provides global mobile satellite voice, data and positioning, navigation and timing services through a low-Earth-orbit satellite network. Company news commonly covers recurring service revenue from subscribers, equipment sales, engineering and support projects, full-year outlook updates, and government satellite airtime and gateway support work tied to U.S. Space Force contracts.
Iridium updates also focus on satellite IoT and direct-to-device connectivity, including Iridium Short Burst Data, Iridium Certus, Iridium NTN Direct and the Iridium 9604 IoT module. Customer and partner developments span aviation, maritime, government, emergency services, critical infrastructure, heavy equipment, autonomous systems and remote monitoring applications.
Iridium Communications (IRDM) reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $245.7 million, up 8% from the comparable period of 2025. Net income rose to $106.9 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, from $37.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, primarily reflecting a $103.9 million gain related to the Aireon acquisition. Operational EBITDA, a non-GAAP earnings measure excluding specified expenses and gains, fell to $135.6 million from $136.6 million.
Iridium completed the Aireon acquisition on July 2, 2026. Stockholders approved Rocket Lab's acquisition of Iridium; the company expects completion by mid-2027, subject to remaining regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Quarter-end gross debt was $2.2 billion, with $97.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. The board plans to raise the quarterly dividend to $0.16 per share starting in the fourth quarter.
Iridium Communications (IRDM) announced that Altair Semiconductor is integrating Iridium NTN Direct satellite connectivity into two cellular Internet of Things chipsets. The integration covers the ALT1350 and next-generation ALT1550 platforms, combining terrestrial cellular and satellite connectivity on a single chipset. Device manufacturers will be able to extend connectivity beyond terrestrial networks without adding a separate satellite modem.
Iridium NTN Direct uses the company's operational low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation. The service is designed to support compatible chipsets using 3GPP telecommunications standards. Altair joins the partner ecosystem bringing the service to market.
Iridium Communications (IRDM) stockholders approved Rocket Lab’s (RKLB) proposed acquisition at a special meeting on September 24, 2026. Approximately 99.6% of votes cast favored adoption of the merger agreement, representing approximately 81.0% of Iridium’s outstanding common shares entitled to vote.
At closing, Iridium stockholders will receive $27.00 in cash and Rocket Lab common shares for each Iridium share. The number of Rocket Lab shares will be calculated using an exchange ratio subject to a collar. The transaction has a notional value of $54.00 per Iridium share. Completion is expected by mid-2027, subject to remaining required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Iridium provides satellite communications and related services; Rocket Lab provides launch services and space systems.
Iridium Communications (IRDM)/b) has completed technical integration and a global roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom IoT, enabling a successful demonstration of a voice message sent entirely over the satellite service from a Toyota vehicle during Telekom Satellite Day 2026.
The proof-of-concept used a Toyota vehicle with a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 development board, a Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM, and Fraunhofer's AI-based NESC Voice Codec to transmit standards-based NB-IoT voice over Iridium’s low-Earth orbit L-band constellation. Iridium NTN Direct is designed to let eligible Deutsche Telekom IoT customers with compatible NB-IoT devices roam seamlessly between terrestrial networks and Iridium satellites. Commercial availability of Iridium NTN Direct for Deutsche Telekom IoT customers is expected in Q4 2026, targeting use cases such as automotive, logistics, remote utilities, smart agriculture and emergency response.
Iridium Communications (Nasdaq: IRDM) and Furuno announced the new SOLION-100 maritime safety terminal for Iridium GMDSS. Built on Iridium Certus 100, the device combines GMDSS, Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) and Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) in a single platform, offering shipowners and shipyards an additional global LEO satellite safety option, including coverage in polar regions.
According to Iridium, GMDSS over its LEO network supports distress alerts, Safety Voice communications with Rescue Coordination Centers and SafetyCast warnings. The SOLION-100 is expected to be commercially available for retrofit vessels in late 2026 and for newbuild projects in 2027.
Token, a biometric identity assurance company, appointed former HSBC Group Chief Information Security Officer Monique Shivanandan to its Board of Directors. Shivanandan, who also serves on the Board of Iridium Communications (Nasdaq: IRDM), brings more than 30 years of global technology, security, and data leadership experience.
According to Token, her appointment aligns with the rollout of Token for AI Agent Gateways, which uses cryptographic biometric verification and TokenCore devices to require live human fingerprint approval for high‑consequence AI agent actions, creating auditable, deterministic control over autonomous AI activities.
Iridium (Nasdaq: IRDM) announced a strategic partnership with SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM company, to enhance global industrial IoT connectivity for heavy equipment OEMs. The collaboration combines Iridium’s pole-to-pole low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and Short Burst Data® (SBD®) services with SKYWAVE’s intelligent multi-network management solution and OGx IoT platform.
According to Iridium, SBD will be embedded directly into SKYWAVE satellite IoT terminals, giving OEM customers the option to use Iridium’s LEO network alongside cellular and Wi‑Fi. The integrated platform is designed to support remote monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance, service support, and modernization of existing connected fleets, initially targeting heavy equipment manufacturers with an architecture intended to extend to other industrial verticals.
Iridium (Nasdaq: IRDM) reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $225.2 million, up 4% year-over-year, with service revenue also rising 4% to $161.3 million, or 72% of total revenue. Net income fell to $9.7 million ($0.09 per diluted share) from $22.0 million, mainly due to higher transaction-related costs and compensation accruals, while Operational EBITDA declined slightly to $119.1 million from $121.3 million.
Iridium ended the quarter with 2.627 million billable subscribers, up 6% year-over-year, led by commercial IoT. The company highlighted growth in commercial service revenue to $133.7 million and U.S. government service revenue to $27.6 million. Iridium closed its acquisition of Aireon on July 2, 2026 for about $366.7 million, funded through cash, a seller loan, and a $100 million revolving credit draw, and assumed $154.7 million of Aireon debt. Capital expenditures were $21.8 million, net leverage was 3.3x trailing twelve-month OEBITDA, and a $0.15 per-share dividend (total $16.2 million) was paid on June 30, 2026. The company has a definitive agreement to be acquired by Rocket Lab, expected to close in mid‑2027, and will suspend quarterly earnings calls and guidance updates while the transaction is pending.
Iridium (Nasdaq: IRDM) announced the commercial availability of its ultra-compact Iridium PNT ASIC, a first-to-market chip designed to protect GPS- and GNSS-dependent devices from jamming, spoofing, and related threats. According to Iridium, more than 150 organizations across maritime, UXV, aviation, telecom, and critical infrastructure have already expressed demand.
The 8x8 mm chip weighs under 0.2 grams and delivers cryptographically secure timing and location data via one-way bursts from the Iridium satellite network, including indoors and in contested environments. Partners such as Solace Communications and Skyband Systems are integrating the ASIC into assured PNT and aviation navigation products.
Iridium (Nasdaq: IRDM) will release its second-quarter 2026 financial results on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The company has a definitive agreement to be acquired by Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) and, due to this pending transaction, will not host an earnings conference call. The Q2 2026 earnings release will be available on Iridium’s investor relations website.