Iridium Begins Integration of NTN Direct with Deutsche Telekom
Rhea-AI Summary
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) has announced a strategic partnership with Deutsche Telekom to integrate Iridium NTN Direct service, extending global IoT connectivity. The collaboration will provide Deutsche Telekom with roaming access to Iridium's upcoming 3GPP standards-based 5G service, delivering NB-IoT direct-to-device connectivity worldwide.
The service, planned for commercial launch in 2026, will support various IoT applications including international cargo logistics, remote utility monitoring, smart agriculture, and emergency response. Iridium's LEO constellation offers unique advantages with its L-band spectrum, providing reliable global coverage and superior performance compared to geostationary systems.
Positive
- Partnership with major telecom provider Deutsche Telekom expands market reach
- Service leverages existing infrastructure and 3GPP standards for cost-effective implementation
- Unique L-band spectrum provides reliable connectivity through extreme weather conditions
- LEO constellation offers superior coverage and lower latency compared to geostationary systems
Negative
- Commercial launch not until 2026
- Integration and testing phase still pending completion
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, IRDM declined 0.11%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Iridium NTN Direct will extend Deutsche Telekom's global IoT customer reach
Deutsche Telekom is among the first mobile network operators to begin integrating Iridium NTN Direct with terrestrial infrastructure, positioning it at the forefront of standards-based IoT innovation in areas beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks and competing satellite networks.
"Iridium NTN Direct is designed to complement terrestrial networks like Deutsche Telekom and provide seamless global coverage, extending the reach of their own infrastructure," said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. "This partnership underscores the power of creating a straightforward, scalable solution that builds on existing technology to enable global service expansion."
"We look forward to integrating Iridium as our next non-terrestrial roaming partner for IoT connectivity. By providing our customers with access to Iridium's extensive LEO satellite network, they will benefit from broadened global NB-IoT coverage to reliably connect sensors, machines and vehicles," said Jens Olejak, Head of Satellite IoT, Deutsche Telekom. "This convergence is now possible through affordable, 3GPP-standardized 5G devices that function across both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks."
Planned for commercial launch in 2026, the service will allow Deutsche Telekom's IoT customers to roam onto the Iridium network to support use cases such as messaging, tracking, and status updates for IoT, automotive, and industrial devices, with applications spanning international cargo logistics, remote utility monitoring, smart agriculture, and emergency response.
The Iridium constellation is the only network delivering truly global coverage using L-band spectrum, providing reliable connectivity through both routine and extreme weather events, like hurricanes and blizzards. Its LEO orbit provides superior coverage, look angles and lower latency compared to geostationary systems.
Upon successful integration and testing, Iridium and Deutsche Telekom plan to execute a roaming agreement to support full commercial service launch.
For more information about Iridium NTN Direct visit: https://www.iridium.com/ntn-direct/
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium® is the only mobile voice, data, and PNT satellite 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 its positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) 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 and Iridium's expected relationship with Deutsche Telekom. 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, marketing and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service and its integration with Deutsche Telekom's services, 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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Jordan Hassin | Kenneth Levy |
Iridium Communications Inc. | Iridium Communications Inc. |
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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.
FAQ
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