Iridium launches broadband satellite service

The service is being provided to maritime and terrestrial customers, with 352 Kbps connection speeds, but higher broadband speeds of up to 704 Kbps will be available later in the year.

“Iridium Certus is delivering real-time connections everywhere our vessels go. As a result, shipboard communications, vessel performance systems and the crew themselves are never out of contact,” said Holger Börchers of Briese Schiffahrts. “Iridium Certus is a game-changer for us.”

Terminal manufacturer Cobham has developed a SAILOR 4300 Iridium Certus terminal which allows customers to combine continuous connectivity with broadband services.

Iridium has agreements with some 36 service providers, including UK based satcom and IT solutions provider NSSLGlobal.

Iridium notes that before the launch of Iridium Certus, its market share for high-speed maritime services was around $25 million. The company expects its sales to quadruple by the end of 2021. The market for connectivity products is expected to grow rapidly over the same period, buoyed by advances in digitalisation technologies.