Iridium Unveils Revolutionary Global GPS Device Protection on a Chip

Rhea-AI Summary

Iridium (NASDAQ: IRDM) unveiled the Iridium PNT ASIC on October 27, 2025, a miniature 8mm by 8mm chip that delivers authenticated, pole-to-pole positioning, navigation, and timing data as an alternative to traditional GNSS.

The ASIC receives a cryptographically secure time and location signal from Iridium's satellite network that the company says is 1,000 times more powerful than GPS and can work inside buildings. Iridium plans commercial availability in mid-2026, is running beta trials with evaluation kits, and demonstrated resilience at a recent Jammertest. The company cites a growing alternative PNT market projected at $3.5 billion by 2032.

Positive

• Commercial availability planned mid-2026
• Tiny 8mm x 8mm form factor for broad device integration
• Signal 1,000x stronger than GPS and effective indoors
• Demonstrated resilience at annual Jammertest
• Target $3.5B alternative PNT market by 2032

Negative

• None.

Insights

PNT systems strategist

Iridium introduces a miniature PNT ASIC promising global, authenticated alternative to GNSS, with commercial launch planned mid-2026.

The announcement describes a small 8mm×8mm ASIC that receives cryptographically secured time and location from the Iridium satellite network and aims to provide protection against jamming, spoofing and timing interruptions. By embedding an authenticated PNT source that the company says is "1,000 times more powerful than GPS" and can work indoors, the product targets a wide set of use cases from consumer devices to critical infrastructure. The stated commercial availability date and the offer of beta evaluation kits create a clear near-term commercialization path.

Adoption and commercial success will depend on integration effort, certification requirements, and the willingness of device makers and infrastructure operators to adopt an alternative PNT source. The release cites field validation at a recent jamming test where timing and navigation were maintained, but broader interoperability, supply chain readiness, and regulatory acceptance remain determinative. Watch for published interoperability test results, partner integrations, and the start of beta program participants, plus the planned commercial availability milestone in mid-2026.

Devices reliant on GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can integrate comprehensive protection against jamming, spoofing and time interruptions with the Iridium PNT ASIC

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and PNT satellite communications, today announced a leap forward in the security of GPS and other GNSS-reliant devices against jamming, spoofing and timing interruptions with the unveiling of a dedicated, miniature application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), the Iridium^® PNT ASIC. Engineered for seamless integration into a wide range of electronic devices, the Iridium PNT ASIC will deliver authenticated, pole-to-pole positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data. It will provide a resilient alternative to traditional GNSS, offering protection against spoofing and jamming for consumer, industrial, and government applications.

"This is a first. To provide this type of capability on a global basis has never been done before," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "The size, low cost, and scalability of this solution to protect GPS is a major breakthrough."

The jamming and spoofing of GNSS systems have gone from being an occasional threat to a near constant occurrence over the past few years. Several high profile events, like the September 2025 jamming of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's aircraft navigation system and a malfunction of GNSS systems in the waters outside of Qatar, causing a pause in maritime operations in October 2025, are two recent examples. A September 2024 report from OPSGROUP cited a 500% increase in the spoofing of commercial airliners, specifically stating that on average 1,500 flights a day are encountering GPS spoofing.

Couple this dramatic rise in threats with the economic risks, estimated at billions of dollars per day globally, and the need for a simple, easily integrated solution is undeniable. For example, in 2019, a single day GPS outage in the United States was estimated by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to cost the economy approximately $1 billion. When adjusted for inflation in 2025, this could be well over $1.3 billion per day.

Tiny Form Factor – Embedded Resilience

Measuring just 8mm by 8mm and capable of fitting into devices ranging from consumer products up through major infrastructure systems like power grids, transportation systems and telecom networks, the Iridium PNT ASIC democratizes GNSS resilience. When embedded in a device, the Iridium PNT ASIC receives a cryptographically secure time and location data signal from the Iridium satellite network that is 1,000 times more powerful than GPS and capable of working inside buildings. This can help GNSS-dependent applications to not only detect a problem but also maintain operations until it is resolved. The Iridium PNT ASIC will also continuously verify signal integrity, making it the ideal alternative or primary source of PNT data.

"The market for alternative PNT solutions is shifting rapidly toward compact, integrated technologies," said Mike O'Connor, executive vice president, PNT, Iridium. "While Iridium PNT is already available in some systems, the Iridium PNT ASIC will take it to the next level to deliver the only truly global alternative to GPS in the smallest form factor available."

The alternative PNT market is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2032, driven by demand for secure, reliable timing and location data across all sectors of critical infrastructure. Available today, Iridium PNT protects digital infrastructure for financial markets, governments, and major corporations. Its applications span data centers, 5G wireless networks, aviation, maritime, land mobile, and IoT, making it a foundational service for the future of secure, connected systems.

"Whether in government, enterprise, or consumer applications, every device that relies on GNSS needs a dependable backup or reliable primary service in the event of disruption," O'Connor said. "The Iridium PNT ASIC delivers that dependability in a compact, all-in-one chip."

Iridium showcased the ASIC's capabilities during last month's Jammertest, an annual event that evaluates the resilience of GNSS and alternative PNT technologies under jamming and spoofing attacks. The Iridium PNT ASIC maintained both timing accuracy and reliable navigation during controlled exercises.

Iridium is inviting organizations to apply to participate in beta trials, and, if selected, they will receive Iridium PNT ASIC evaluation kits, enabling early integration and testing. The Iridium PNT ASIC is planned for commercial availability in mid-2026.

Organizations with devices that rely on GNSS and are seeking to enhance resilience against jamming, spoofing or time and frequency interruptions, or those developing innovative technologies in the PNT domain, are encouraged to learn more and express interest at www.iridium.com/pnt/asic.

Iridium is highlighting the Iridium PNT ASIC at the International Timing and Sync Forum (ITSF), held October 27^th to 30^th in Prague.

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 its positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and partner solutions, 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 PNT ASIC and related services. 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 PNT ASIC and related services, and 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.

Press Contact:	Investor Contact:
Jordan Hassin	Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.	Iridium Communications Inc.
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com	Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7421	+1 (703) 287-7570

 

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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.

FAQ

When will Iridium (IRDM) make the Iridium PNT ASIC commercially available?

Iridium plans commercial availability in mid-2026.

What are the physical dimensions of the Iridium PNT ASIC (IRDM)?

The ASIC measures 8mm by 8mm, suitable for consumer and infrastructure devices.

How does Iridium describe the PNT signal strength versus GPS for IRDM devices?

Iridium states the PNT signal is 1,000 times more powerful than GPS and can work inside buildings.

Is Iridium (IRDM) offering beta trials or evaluation kits for the PNT ASIC?

Yes. Iridium is inviting organizations to apply for beta trials and provides evaluation kits to selected participants.

What use cases does the Iridium PNT ASIC target for IRDM investors and customers?

Targets include financial markets, data centers, 5G networks, aviation, maritime, land mobile, and IoT.

Does Iridium (IRDM) disclose pricing or revenue guidance for the PNT ASIC?

No pricing or specific revenue guidance for the ASIC is disclosed in the announcement.

Where can organizations express interest in Iridium's PNT ASIC for IRDM?

Organizations can learn more and express interest at www.iridium.com/pnt/asic.