Iridium Transforms Satellite IoT with the Launch of Revolutionary Iridium Certus 9704 Module

Rhea-AI Summary

Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) has launched its newest IoT module, the Iridium Certus 9704, alongside a Development Kit. The module is the company's smallest and most powerful to date, featuring Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) technology for satellite IoT applications.

Key features include: 34% smaller than Iridium 9603, 79% smaller than Iridium 9602, and 83% reduction in idle power consumption compared to both. The module supports larger file transfers and faster messaging speeds, enabling data, picture, and audio message transmission for industrial IoT, M2M, and remote applications.

The Development Kit includes a motherboard, power supply, antenna, module, and Arduino platform software, with 1,000 free messages and GitLab hosted reference materials. The module has received FCC and ISED authorizations, with additional approvals pending.

Positive

• Launch of smallest and most powerful IoT module with enhanced capabilities
• 83% reduction in power consumption compared to previous models
• Significant size reduction: 34% smaller than 9603, 79% smaller than 9602
• 11% CAGR in IoT service revenue over the last 10 years

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

The Iridium Certus 9704 module represents a significant technological leap in satellite IoT capabilities. The 34% size reduction and 83% lower idle power consumption compared to previous models are game-changing improvements that will enable more compact and energy-efficient IoT devices. The module's integration with IMT technology and support for larger file transfers positions Iridium strategically in the emerging Satellite AIoT market. The decision to offload computing to cloud-based AI engines could revolutionize how IoT devices operate, potentially reducing hardware costs and extending device lifespans. The inclusion of Arduino platform compatibility and the comprehensive development kit shows a strong focus on developer adoption, which could accelerate market penetration.

Market Research Analyst

This product launch strengthens Iridium's position in the rapidly growing satellite IoT market, where they've demonstrated impressive 11% CAGR in IoT service revenue over the past decade. The module's enhanced capabilities and efficiency improvements address key market demands for smaller, more power-efficient devices with greater functionality. The timing is particularly strategic as the satellite AIoT market emerges, potentially opening new revenue streams. With over 500 integration partners worldwide, Iridium's distribution network is well-positioned to drive adoption. The developer-friendly approach with the comprehensive development kit could accelerate market penetration and ecosystem growth.

The new module is supported by the Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit, and is ideal for data, audio messages and image transfers, while positioning companies as more future ready in anticipation of Satellite AIoT

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today launched the Iridium Certus^™9704, its newest  IoT module, and Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit. This transformational new module, featuring Iridium Messaging Transport^® (IMT^®) technology, is the smallest and most powerful created by Iridium, ideal for supporting satellite IoT applications that require real-time data analysis, analytics and automated decision-making. The Iridium Certus 9704 provides larger file transfer sizes and faster message speeds than previous Iridium^® IoT modules, delivering data, picture, and audio messages for industrial (IIoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) and remote personnel use cases. Like other Iridium Connected^® devices, the Iridium Certus 9704 can provide two-way IoT services anywhere in the world, making fast and reliable connections to a broad array of applications.

The Iridium Certus 9704 architecture simplifies data transfer requirements for use cases like predictive maintenance, diagnostics, telemetry monitoring, remote asset tracking, and command and control for uncrewed aircraft, vehicles and vessels. The module's larger-sized data messages are also ideal for remote sensing applications protecting wildlife, detecting wildfires and flooding, and enable a new generation of purpose-built satellite messengers and personal safety devices.

"We've now packed more capability and value into the smallest module ever from Iridium," said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. "When companies choose to develop with Iridium, they know they are partnering with the leader in satellite IoT applications, and we'll support them through the development and deployment of their solutions. We're excited to see how they implement this new technology."

Designed for ease of integration, the Iridium Certus 9704 is 34% smaller than the Iridium 9603, 79% smaller than the Iridium 9602, and has an 83% reduction in idle power consumption compared to both. This power optimization makes the new module ideal to support battery powered applications, while taking advantage of two-way messaging, including delivery confirmation, over Iridium's low-latency, truly global satellite network.

Ideal for supporting traditional satellite IoT applications, the new module can also help organizations become more future ready as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes integrated with IoT services, known as AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things). With this integration, satellite AIoT services should quickly follow, and companies that deploy products with Iridium Certus 9704 modules inside can then choose to offload more computing to the cloud in a single message, where an AIoT engine can quickly make decisions and send new, actionable instructions back to the remote device. This can lessen the required edge device processing power, lower hardware cost, and increase battery life and overall device lifespan. With IMT at its core, a built-in topic-sorting capability means messages can be efficiently organized for delivery to the appropriate engine for various types of real-time data, audio or image analysis.  

"The Iridium Certus 9704 module and Development Kit were designed with the developer in mind," said Omar Azad, associate director, product management, Iridium. "We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone to experience the new module's capabilities and quality of the IMT service. When they're ready to take the next step and build a product to take to market, we're there to support them with our decades of experience in the satellite IoT space."

The Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit is a complete test kit featuring a motherboard, power supply, antenna, module and software from the popular Arduino platform. It was designed to provide maximum autonomy and flexibility for developers, coming with 1,000 free messages and GitLab hosted reference materials. The kit is initially available to prospective Iridium customers for evaluation of the Iridium Certus 9704 module and IMT data service. Iridium has partnered with Blynk to give developers an all-in-one platform for data visualization and a rapid unboxing-to-live-testing experience.

Iridium operates the world's only truly global, weather resilient satellite constellation designed to reliably deliver critical data to and from anywhere on the planet. As the satellite IoT market leader, Iridium's IoT service revenue has been growing at an 11% CAGR over the last 10 years. Iridium goes to market through more than 500 companies around the world that integrate its core technology modules, like the Iridium Certus 9704, and sell airtime access to its network.

The Iridium Certus 9704 has received FCC and ISED authorizations for use, with additional regulatory approvals pending.

For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com

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 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 Certus 9704 module and Development Kit. 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 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, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 15, 2024, and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on October 17, 2024, 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
X: @Iridiumcomm

 

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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of Iridium's new Certus 9704 IoT module?

The Iridium Certus 9704 is the company's smallest and most powerful IoT module, featuring IMT technology, 83% lower power consumption, and support for larger file transfers including data, pictures, and audio messages.

How does the Iridium Certus 9704 size compare to previous models?

The Iridium Certus 9704 is 34% smaller than the Iridium 9603 and 79% smaller than the Iridium 9602 model.

What regulatory approvals has IRDM received for the Certus 9704?

The Iridium Certus 9704 has received FCC and ISED authorizations, with additional regulatory approvals pending.

What does the Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit include?

The Development Kit includes a motherboard, power supply, antenna, module, Arduino platform software, 1,000 free messages, and GitLab hosted reference materials.

How will the Iridium Certus 9704 support future Satellite AIoT applications?

The module enables cloud computing offload for AIoT processing, reducing edge device processing requirements, lowering hardware costs, and increasing battery life and device lifespan.