12th May 2016
Satcom Global is delighted to be able to share a round-up of the latest news from global network provider Iridium, with our valued partners and customers around the world.
Iridium Communications has recently announced that the highly anticipated NEXT satellite constellation which will see the launch of the high performance network service Iridium Certus, may begin to take shape from as early as Summer 2016! Certus will offer a platform of enterprise-grade solutions that are scalable and reliable across the maritime market, as well as the land mobile, government and M2M markets.
The leading network providers have confirmed that the first set of NEXT satellites have completed the manufacturing and testing process in the US, and are soon to be on their way to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US, ready for launch into orbit in July 2016. The global network will involve 66 LEO (low-earth orbit) satellites, six in-orbit spare satellites and nine spare satellites on the ground. According to the rollout schedule, we should see the completion of the $3 billion Iridium NEXT constellation by 2017, with almost half ready for launch in 2016, followed by an additional 40 satellites which will be deployed in 2017.
Commenting on the progress, Iridium’s COO, Scott Smith, said:
“Now, with the first satellites completed and tested, we are one step closer to realizing our ultimate goal of delivering a truly next-generation, global network.”
Iridium’s CEO Matt Desch added,
“This milestone has been a long time coming, but signals that we’re nearing first launch. It’s been exciting to see our powerful new satellites take shape from a concept seven years ago into a working, fully tested vehicle, ready to be shipped to Vandenberg for launch. With the assembly pace picking up, we’re all excited about the potential of these new satellites and look forward to getting them all in operation by the end of 2017.”
Powered by Iridium NEXT, Iridium Certus is the advanced new multi-service platform, producing faster and more affordable global broadband services up to 1.4 Mbps. Certus will be available through a new range of terminals from trusted and proven manufacturers, some of which will be capable of background IP, streaming, SBD, Push-To-Talk and many more global Iridium services. In addition, the global service will deliver an L-Band maritime communications solution through newly designed Iridium Pilot terminals, acting as a reliable primary maritime satellite solution, or a global back-up solution to VSAT for ships of all shapes and sizes travelling the globe.
Certus will offer a valuable addition to the Satcom Global maritime portfolio which currently features Ku Band VSAT services, Inmarsat FleetBroadband, Iridium OpenPort and Thuraya Maritime Broadband. Promising high bandwidth and other functionalities such as global ship surveillance for an affordable price, Iridium Certus is looking like an exciting proposition for the ever evolving global maritime market.
Speak to our friendly local team in Australia and Oceania at Oceania@satcomglobal.com to find out more about Iridium Certus and the other satellite communications solutions we can offer to suit your needs.
« Back to news