Iridium and Syniverse Partner to Bring Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity to Mobile Network Operators Worldwide
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) has partnered with Syniverse to deploy Iridium NTN Direct service for mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. The partnership integrates Iridium's satellite network with Syniverse's global platform, enabling continuous global connectivity. According to GSMA, 85% of MNOs seeking non-terrestrial network service prefer LEO solutions for global coverage.
The service, part of 3GPP Release 19, will provide global standards-based direct-to-device and narrow-band IoT messaging and SOS capabilities for consumer devices, automobiles, and industrial applications. Syniverse's system serves approximately 600 carrier customers in 170 countries and connects over 830 mobile operators. The first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are expected to be available in 2026, following the completion of 3GPP Release 19 by the end of 2025.
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) ha stretto una collaborazione con Syniverse per lanciare il servizio Iridium NTN Direct rivolto agli operatori di rete mobile (MNO) di tutto il mondo. Questa partnership integra la rete satellitare di Iridium con la piattaforma globale di Syniverse, garantendo una connettività continua a livello globale. Secondo GSMA, l'85% degli MNO che cercano servizi di rete non terrestri preferisce soluzioni LEO per una copertura globale.
Il servizio, parte del 3GPP Release 19, offrirà standard globali per comunicazioni dirette ai dispositivi, messaggistica IoT a banda stretta e funzionalità SOS per dispositivi consumer, automobili e applicazioni industriali. Il sistema di Syniverse serve circa 600 clienti carrier in 170 paesi e connette oltre 830 operatori mobili. I primi dispositivi connessi tramite Iridium NTN Direct sono previsti per il 2026, dopo il completamento del 3GPP Release 19 entro la fine del 2025.
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) ha establecido una alianza con Syniverse para desplegar el servicio Iridium NTN Direct para operadores de redes móviles (MNO) en todo el mundo. La colaboración integra la red satelital de Iridium con la plataforma global de Syniverse, permitiendo conectividad continua a nivel mundial. Según GSMA, el 85% de los MNO que buscan servicios de red no terrestre prefieren soluciones LEO para cobertura global.
El servicio, parte del 3GPP Release 19, ofrecerá comunicaciones directas a dispositivos basadas en estándares globales, mensajería IoT de banda estrecha y capacidades SOS para dispositivos de consumo, automóviles y aplicaciones industriales. El sistema de Syniverse atiende a aproximadamente 600 clientes operadores en 170 países y conecta a más de 830 operadores móviles. Se espera que los primeros dispositivos conectados con Iridium NTN Direct estén disponibles en 2026, tras la finalización del 3GPP Release 19 a finales de 2025.
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM)는 전 세계 이동통신사(MNO)를 위한 Iridium NTN Direct 서비스를 제공하기 위해 Syniverse와 협력했습니다. 이번 파트너십은 Iridium의 위성 네트워크와 Syniverse의 글로벌 플랫폼을 통합하여 전 세계 어디서나 지속적인 연결성을 가능하게 합니다. GSMA에 따르면, 비지상망 서비스를 찾는 MNO의 85%가 글로벌 커버리지를 위해 LEO 솔루션을 선호합니다.
이 서비스는 3GPP Release 19의 일부로, 소비자 기기, 자동차 및 산업용 애플리케이션을 위한 글로벌 표준 기반의 디바이스 직접 연결 및 협대역 IoT 메시징, SOS 기능을 제공합니다. Syniverse 시스템은 약 170개국에서 600여 개의 통신사 고객을 지원하며 830개 이상의 이동통신사를 연결합니다. 첫 Iridium NTN Direct 연결 기기는 2025년 말까지 3GPP Release 19가 완료된 후 2026년에 출시될 예정입니다.
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ : IRDM) s'est associé à Syniverse pour déployer le service Iridium NTN Direct destiné aux opérateurs de réseaux mobiles (MNO) dans le monde entier. Ce partenariat intègre le réseau satellite d'Iridium à la plateforme mondiale de Syniverse, permettant une connectivité continue à l'échelle mondiale. Selon la GSMA, 85 % des MNO recherchant un service de réseau non terrestre préfèrent les solutions LEO pour une couverture globale.
Ce service, faisant partie du 3GPP Release 19, offrira une communication directe aux appareils basée sur des standards mondiaux, la messagerie IoT à bande étroite ainsi que des capacités SOS pour les appareils grand public, les automobiles et les applications industrielles. Le système de Syniverse dessert environ 600 clients opérateurs dans 170 pays et connecte plus de 830 opérateurs mobiles. Les premiers appareils connectés via Iridium NTN Direct devraient être disponibles en 2026, après la finalisation du 3GPP Release 19 fin 2025.
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) hat eine Partnerschaft mit Syniverse geschlossen, um den Iridium NTN Direct-Dienst für Mobilfunknetzbetreiber (MNOs) weltweit bereitzustellen. Die Partnerschaft integriert Iridiums Satellitennetz mit der globalen Plattform von Syniverse und ermöglicht so eine durchgehende globale Konnektivität. Laut GSMA bevorzugen 85 % der MNOs, die nicht-terrestrische Netzwerke suchen, LEO-Lösungen für globale Abdeckung.
Der Dienst, Teil des 3GPP Release 19, wird global standardisierte Direktverbindungen zu Geräten, Narrowband-IoT-Nachrichten und SOS-Funktionen für Verbrauchergeräte, Fahrzeuge und industrielle Anwendungen bieten. Das System von Syniverse bedient etwa 600 Carrier-Kunden in 170 Ländern und verbindet über 830 Mobilfunkanbieter. Die ersten mit Iridium NTN Direct verbundenen Geräte werden voraussichtlich im Jahr 2026 verfügbar sein, nachdem das 3GPP Release 19 Ende 2025 abgeschlossen ist.
- Partnership with Syniverse provides access to 600 carrier customers in 170 countries
- Integration enables global coverage expansion for mobile network operators
- Strong market demand with 85% of MNOs seeking LEO solutions for global coverage
- Service will support multiple applications including consumer devices, automobiles, and industrial uses
- Commercial deployment not expected until 2026
- Success depends on completion of 3GPP Release 19 standards by end of 2025
Insights
Iridium's strategic partnership with Syniverse creates significant infrastructure advantage in the emerging direct-to-device satellite market ahead of 2026 commercial launch.
This partnership represents a critical infrastructure development in Iridium's direct-to-device (D2D) strategy. By integrating with Syniverse's platform that connects approximately 600 carrier customers across 170 countries and over 830 mobile operators, Iridium gains immediate access to an established global telecommunications backbone.
What makes this particularly valuable is the timing ahead of 3GPP Release 19 completion (expected end of 2025). Iridium is positioning to be ready with a standards-compliant solution as soon as the technical specifications are finalized, with connected devices planned for 2026. This first-mover advantage in the standards-based D2D space could be substantial.
The partnership addresses critical technical challenges that have limited satellite-to-mobile integration: authentication, billing, and roaming capabilities. These are precisely the complexities that have prevented widespread satellite adoption by traditional mobile carriers. Syniverse's 35+ years of experience in mobile interoperability solves these implementation hurdles.
This move directly responds to market demand, with 85% of MNOs planning NTN service seeking LEO solutions according to GSMA data. Unlike competing offerings with partial coverage, Iridium's fully-deployed constellation provides true global coverage - a significant competitive differentiator for mobile operators wanting to offer seamless worldwide connectivity.
The integration also extends beyond consumer smartphones to industrial IoT applications across agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities - diversifying potential revenue streams beyond consumer markets. This positions Iridium to potentially capture significant market share in the emerging D2D connectivity ecosystem.
According to GSMA's 2025 Industry Survey,
The combination of MNO requirements and Iridium NTN Direct capabilities makes it the ideal solution. With Iridium NTN Direct, MNOs will know they have a reliable partner with a fully deployed, owned and operated satellite constellation, unmatched coverage, globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum, and a history of providing reliable safety of life services.
"We're building the backbone of the global D2D movement, the right way and with the right partners as we prepare for on-air testing with MNOs and chipmakers in the coming months," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "The integration of Syniverse's system with the Iridium® network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet."
"Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless," said Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Syniverse. "By integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the global mobile framework using standards-based, carrier-grade systems, Syniverse is simplifying deployment, ensuring consistency and security, and accelerating access to non-terrestrial connectivity."
For more than 35 years, Syniverse's leadership in mobile interoperability and clearing services has played a key role in enabling MNO adoption for satellite integration, which includes seamless customer roaming, authentication and billing functions. Their system serves approximately 600 carrier customers directly in 170 countries worldwide and connects over 830 mobile operators with their global IPX backbone. Fully 3GPP-compliant and standards-based, Syniverse ensures fast deployment, helping operators confidently unlock new markets.
Iridium NTN Direct stands out among Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and NB-IoT services by offering MNOs an unmatched combination of truly global coverage, reliability and capability. 3GPP Release 19 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are planned to be available in 2026.
For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com
For more information about Iridium NTN Direct, visit: www.iridium.com/ntn-direct/
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. In 2024, Iridium acquired Satelles and announced the Iridium Satellite Time and Location service. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in
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 NTN Direct service. 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 development and marketing of the Iridium NTN Direct service, 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, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 13, 2025, 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.
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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.
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