Iridium Communications Inc. Introduces Next-Generation IoT Platform With Iridium 9604
Iridium Communications Inc. Introduces Next-Generation IoT Platform
- Iridium has unveiled a compact three-in-one IoT module combining satellite, cellular, and GNSS connectivity.
- Their latest platform is designed to reduce hardware complexity, cut costs, and enable large-scale global IoT deployments.
- Early developers report major savings in board space, power design, and overall product economics.
ICI, a global provider of satellite-based voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing services, has introduced the Iridium 9604, a new Internet of Things module engineered to unify satellite, cellular, and GNSS capabilities within a single, compact platform. According to the company, the purpose-built design brings together Iridium Short Burst Data® satellite service, LTE-M cellular connectivity, and GNSS positioning, addressing long-standing complexity and cost challenges faced by IoT developers operating beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.
By consolidating three connectivity technologies into one device, the Iridium 9604 is intended to simplify solution architecture, reduce component count, and accelerate deployment timelines. The company states that this approach makes dual-mode IoT connectivity viable for price-sensitive, high-volume applications that previously struggled to justify the cost and integration burden of multi-component designs.
Speaking on the announcement, Tim Last, executive vice president at Iridium, said that integrating cellular, GNSS, and satellite connectivity into a single, power-efficient module gives developers greater flexibility to create smaller, lower-cost, and location-aware solutions. He added that with Iridium’s proprietary satellite IoT services and a standards-based NB-IoT service expected to debut this year, organizations considering IoT deployments beyond terrestrial coverage increasingly look to Iridium as a primary option.
The Iridium 9604 has already undergone early validation through a beta program launched earlier in the year. The program, which the company says was oversubscribed by a select group of participants, generated industry feedback highlighting lower overall costs, simplified product design, and the ability to enable intelligent, location-aware network selection. Developers reported savings of 60 percent or more in board space compared with traditional multi-component approaches, alongside access to streamlined developer tools.
Alastair MacLeod, chief executive officer of Ground Control, said that adopting the three-in-one module fundamentally changed the economics of his company’s products. According to MacLeod, Ground Control was able to eliminate two components from its bill of materials, reduce board size, and simplify power architecture. He added that dual-mode connectivity enables smarter network selection based on location, transforming what would have been a complex design into a single-module solution.
Dean Welten, chief executive officer of Everlink, said that integrating the Iridium 9604 into the company’s secure cloud platform allows customers to access essential data and real-time intelligence anywhere in the world. He noted that the module supports greater operational efficiency and enables global connectivity at scale for customers requiring reliable, mission-critical data.
The launch of the Iridium 9604 reflects a broader shift in their IoT strategy, moving beyond satellite-only modules toward a unified, multi-mode connectivity architecture. The Iridium network now supports three primary IoT service pathways: Iridium SBD combined with cellular and GNSS through the Iridium 9604 or dedicated SBD modules; Iridium NTN Direct, which supports standards-based direct-to-device connectivity using third-party chips; and Iridium Messaging Transport-based services designed for industrial-scale payloads via the Iridium Certus 9704.
Built on the u-blox SARA-R5 platform, the Iridium 9604 measures 16 mm by 26 mm by 2.4 mm, offering a compact form factor aimed at industrial, infrastructure, and mobility applications where dual-mode IoT connectivity was previously considered cost-prohibitive. The company says commercial availability is scheduled to begin in June 2026, alongside the release of a development kit that will allow testing of both satellite and cellular services.
This announcement was reported by the company through a distributed release, outlining the company’s continued expansion of its global IoT capabilities and developer ecosystem.
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About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. operates the world’s only truly global mobile satellite network, providing reliable voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing services anywhere on Earth. The company supports safety-critical and mission-critical operations across sectors including aviation, maritime, government, emergency services, critical infrastructure, autonomous systems, and remote monitoring, where continuous connectivity is essential. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium delivers its services through an ecosystem of more than 500 partner organizations worldwide. Its satellite network is designed to ensure resilient global coverage, enabling customers to operate with confidence in some of the most remote and challenging environments on the planet.
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