Iridium Edge® Solar Provides Upgraded Capabilities for Satellite IoT Tracking and Asset Management

Rhea-AI Summary

Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) has launched the Iridium Edge Solar, a solar-powered device for asset tracking and management, enhancing its IoT portfolio. The device supports Vessel Monitoring Systems, freight tracking, and includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for custom sensor integration. Notably, it is designed with military-grade ruggedization and a dual-power system to ensure reliability. Iridium reported a 20% increase in commercial IoT subscribers year-over-year, reaching 924,000 customers as of Q3 2020. The device offers up to 10 years of maintenance-free operation globally.

Positive

• Launch of Iridium Edge Solar expands product line into solar-powered asset tracking.
• 20% growth in commercial IoT subscribers to 924,000 as of Q3 2020, indicating strong demand.

Negative

• None.

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) today announced commercial availability of the Iridium Edge Solar – a secure, maintenance-free, solar-powered remote asset tracking and management device. With over-the-air configuration capabilities, the Iridium Edge Solar is ideal for Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), fisheries management, tracking of freight shipping containers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications, monitoring of oil and gas pipelines and heavy equipment telematics data reporting. 

The addition of BLE technology enables creation of customized sensors that can be deployed on a variety of assets.

The Iridium Edge Solar beta trials, which are nearing completion, are thoroughly testing its real-time, two-way communication, over-the-air configuration ability, built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity and secure, ruggedized packaging. The addition of BLE technology enables development of customized deployable sensor systems that can be positioned on machinery, vehicles, vessels or across worksites. 

"The Iridium Edge Solar is a unique and versatile solar-powered asset tracking device, when compared to alternatives available in the industry," said Bryan Hartin, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Iridium. "No other solar-powered IoT tracking device matches its geographic coverage, capabilities and cost-effectiveness, and we believe the addition of BLE local wireless connectivity adds a new level of customizability for applications requiring multiple and disparate sensor readings."

The history of solar-powered satellite IoT tracking devices has been marred by questionable field lifespan due to failures of charging batteries, solar panels and packaging susceptible to water-intrusion or cracking.  These issues have been exacerbated by the lack of two-way communications with the deployed device, leaving organizations wondering if the equipment suffered a terminal malfunction.  Iridium Edge Solar resolves these issues through complete encapsulation of all vital electronics, military-grade ruggedized packaging and an innovative, intelligent dual-power system, ensuring two-way communications delivery even in low-light conditions. 

When combined with Iridium's truly global coverage and services like Iridium CloudConnect helping to simplify back-office integration through Amazon Web Services, businesses, governments and NGOs can rapidly scale and deploy this reliable, solar-powered asset-tracking device anywhere on the planet for up to 10 years without maintenance. 

Iridium Edge Solar now joins both the Iridium Edge and Iridium Edge Pro as finished Iridium products, each with specified, yet complementary, use-cases to extend the reach of IoT services beyond cellular coverage. 

As of the third quarter of 2020, Iridium commercial IoT subscribers grew 20% from the year-ago period to 924,000 customers, continuing the company's growing position as the premier satellite IoT company.

Interested companies can also request a full featured demo kit or more information by visiting www.iridium.com/iridiumedgesolar

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 2019, the company completed a generational upgrade of its satellite network and launched its new specialty broadband service, Iridium Certus^®. 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.

Press Contact:
Jordan Hassin
Iridium Communications Inc.
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com 
+1 (703) 287-7421
Twitter: @Iridiumcomm

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

 

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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.

FAQ

What is the Iridium Edge Solar device's purpose?

The Iridium Edge Solar is designed for secure, solar-powered remote asset tracking and management.

When was the Iridium Edge Solar announced?

The Iridium Edge Solar was announced on January 5, 2021.

How long can the Iridium Edge Solar operate without maintenance?

The Iridium Edge Solar can operate for up to 10 years without maintenance.

What is the stock symbol for Iridium Communications?

The stock symbol for Iridium Communications is IRDM.

What growth did Iridium see in its IoT subscribers?

Iridium saw a 20% increase in commercial IoT subscribers, reaching 924,000 as of Q3 2020.