Latest news with #D2D
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iridium and Syniverse Partner to Bring Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity to Mobile Network Operators Worldwide
MCLEAN, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a new partnership with Syniverse, the world's most connected company®, to support the rollout of Iridium NTN DirectSM service with mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. Through this partnership, Iridium NTN Direct is integrating with Syniverse's global platform, making it easy for MNOs to keep their customers continuously connected everywhere on the planet. According to GSMA's 2025 Industry Survey, 85% of MNOs planning to pursue non-terrestrial network (NTN) service are seeking a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) solution that extends their coverage globally. As part of 3GPP Release 19, Iridium NTN Direct will provide truly global, standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) messaging and SOS for consumer devices, automobiles and industrial applications in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities. The combination of MNO requirements and Iridium NTN Direct capabilities makes it the ideal solution. With Iridium NTN Direct, MNOs will know they have a reliable partner with a fully deployed, owned and operated satellite constellation, unmatched coverage, globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum, and a history of providing reliable safety of life services. "We're building the backbone of the global D2D movement, the right way and with the right partners as we prepare for on-air testing with MNOs and chipmakers in the coming months," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "The integration of Syniverse's system with the Iridium® network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet." "Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless," said Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Syniverse. "By integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the global mobile framework using standards-based, carrier-grade systems, Syniverse is simplifying deployment, ensuring consistency and security, and accelerating access to non-terrestrial connectivity." For more than 35 years, Syniverse's leadership in mobile interoperability and clearing services has played a key role in enabling MNO adoption for satellite integration, which includes seamless customer roaming, authentication and billing functions. Their system serves approximately 600 carrier customers directly in 170 countries worldwide and connects over 830 mobile operators with their global IPX backbone. Fully 3GPP-compliant and standards-based, Syniverse ensures fast deployment, helping operators confidently unlock new markets. Iridium NTN Direct stands out among Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and NB-IoT services by offering MNOs an unmatched combination of truly global coverage, reliability and capability. 3GPP Release 19 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are planned to be available in 2026. For more information about Iridium, visit: For more information about Iridium NTN Direct, visit: 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 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 NTN Direct service. 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 development and marketing of the Iridium NTN Direct service, 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, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 13, 2025, 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. +1 (703) 287-7421 +1 (703) 287-7570 SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.
Arabian Business
08-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Space42 partners with Gatehouse to enable standard smartphone satellite connectivity
Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, said it achieved a successful collaboration between its mobile satellite services subsidiary, Thuraya and Gatehouse Satcom, a Danish-based software company specialising in mission-critical satellite communications, to advance direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. The project demonstrated NB-IoT applications over Space42's L-band geostationary satellites using 3GPP-compliant release 17 technology, ensuring alignment with global standards and future scalability, the company said. Space42 expands mobile connectivity This will set the foundation for the launch of Thuraya Direct, a new messaging and IoT service slated for commercial deployment in Q4 2025, it said. 'This collaboration reflects our strategy in action,' said Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42. 'It is about extending the boundaries of mobile connectivity by enabling standard smartphones and IoT devices to connect via satellite in areas where terrestrial networks fall short,' he said. Al Hashemi said that through close engagement with telecom providers, the company will be addressing immediate market requirements and proving the viability of this technology, while setting the stage for enhanced global commercialisation of D2D through its future global constellation. Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom, said it has been a privilege to support Space42 in moving direct-to-device from promise to proof. 'Running 5G NB-IoT over GEO is no small feat, but our software is built for this – adaptable across constellations, compliant with global standards, and ready to support the next wave of NTN innovation,' he said. The initiative demonstrates Space42's operating model of aligning early with transformative open-standard technologies, scaling them through targeted, mission-driven programs, and delivering outcomes through trusted partnerships, the company said. Thuraya has played a pioneering innovative role in satellite mobility for over two decades, delivering resilient connectivity in some of the world's most demanding environments. As Space42's mobile satellite arm, it continues to lead in redefining what satellite-enabled services can achieve. Gatehouse Satcom contributed essential 3GPP NTN expertise and software capabilities, enabling the successful validation of messaging protocols over geostationary satellite links – a foundational step in delivering Thuraya Direct. The collaboration has successfully demonstrated that 3GPP-compliant devices, including smartphones and IoT modules, can connect seamlessly to Space42's satellite network.
Al Etihad
07-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Space42 advances direct-to-device satellite messaging through collaboration with Gatehouse Satcom
7 May 2025 14:02 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Space42 announced on Wednesday a successful collaboration between its mobile satellite services subsidiary Thuraya and Gatehouse Satcom, a Danish-based software company specialising in mission-critical satellite communications, to advance direct-to-device (D2D) project demonstrated NB-IoT applications over Space42's L-band geostationary satellites using 3GPP-compliant release 17 technology, ensuring alignment with global standards and future scalability. This will set the foundation for the launch of Thuraya Direct, a new messaging and IoT service slated for commercial deployment in Q4 initiative demonstrates Space42's operating model: align early with transformative open-standard technologies, scale them through targeted, mission-driven programs, and deliver outcomes through trusted partnerships. It addresses critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation; domains where reliable, wide-area connectivity cannot depend solely on terrestrial infrastructure.'This collaboration reflects our strategy in action,' said Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42. 'It is about extending the boundaries of mobile connectivity by enabling standard smartphones and IoT devices to connect via satellite in areas where terrestrial networks fall short. Through close engagement with telecom providers, we are addressing immediate market requirements and proving the viability of this technology while setting the stage for enhanced global commercialisation of D2D through our future global constellation. We welcome partners across the ecosystem to join us in scaling this new frontier.'"It's been a privilege to support Space42 in moving direct-to-device from promise to proof," said Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom. "Running 5G NB-IoT over GEO is no small feat, but our software is built for this – adaptable across constellations, compliant with global standards, and ready to support the next wave of NTN innovation."Thuraya has played a pioneering innovative role in satellite mobility for over two decades, delivering resilient connectivity in some of the world's most demanding Space42's mobile satellite arm, it continues to lead in redefining what satellite-enabled services can achieve. Gatehouse Satcom contributed essential 3GPP NTN expertise and software capabilities, enabling the successful validation of messaging protocols over geostationary satellite links – a foundational step in delivering Thuraya collaboration has successfully demonstrated that 3GPP-compliant devices, including smartphones and IoT modules, can connect seamlessly to Space42's satellite validation confirms that Thuraya Direct can be delivered through globally standardised infrastructure, open to any telecom or OEM partner able to interoperate with the system. With commercial readiness targeted for the end of this year, Space42 is now engaging with mobile operators and industry players to bring this service to the market. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Space is going to patch up Britain's ‘not spots', but can Musk be trusted?
Like the Teletubbies' Sun Baby, Elon Musk beams down on every corner of the globe. Satellites from Starlink and its competitors are bringing data to the poorest and most isolated corners of the world. 'Data is doubling every year,' says Dr Adam Beaumont, an innovation advisor to the Government and founder of the pioneering network builder AQL, which created the first UK ground station for Musk's space constellation. 'We're handling many terabytes of data every day on behalf of the satellite community'. Space internet has traditionally relied on ancient, geostationary satellites that transmit data a few bytes at a time. But the revolution that Musk began involves low earth orbit (LEO) satellites that are far closer to us here on Earth. They bring far greater capacity and speed so we can use space directly for serious internet services, like Google Maps, rather than basics such as emergency text messages. 'We're now on the cusp of people being able to make [satellite calls] on their everyday smartphones,' boasted Ofcom's spectrum director David Willis last week. This is called 'direct to device' (D2D) communications, which mean you won't need a clunky satellite phone that wouldn't look out of place in the A-Team – you can just use the phone you already have, and no special SIM or app is required. In January, Vodafone made the first D2D video call in the world from a mountain in Wales, using an ordinary smartphone, in a location where there was no existing mobile coverage. The coverage bars on the phone lit up as the invisible satellite passed overhead. It's the result of a joint venture between the Texan space company AST Space Mobile and Vodafone. In layman's terms, they've put a standard 4G phone dish in space, so it becomes a seamless extension of the existing phone network. Only this 'dish' is around 300 miles away, and moving at 18,000 miles per hour. Five Blue Walker satellites are already operating, and dozens more will be operating by the end of the year. Around 90 are needed to provide full global coverage, says Vodafone. Ofcom is rushing to iron out the regulatory wrinkles. It really is a spectacular feat of engineering. The second generation of AST's Blue Walker satellite unfolds into a 2,400 square foot panel, around the size of a doubles tennis court. The surface is almost entirely an antenna. (Astronomers aren't very happy – these 'BlueBirds' are already amongst the brightest objects in the night sky.) Now you may well wonder why you can't get a decent signal from your mobile operator when the antenna is only hundreds of yards away, but you can from something 300 miles away. It's a good question. Size is everything, the boffins explain – while the panel in space is vast, the local dish giving you mobile service now isn't much larger than a chef's wok. 'The bigger they are, the more power and gain you can put on that signal,' explains Vodafone's Future Technologies researcher Rowan Chesmer, the technical lead for the group's D2D work. Cleverly, the design means that almost all the heavy processing gear – the racks and enormous air conditioner style units that sit underneath our terrestrial mobile base stations – can be left back on earth. 'You can focus all your power onto the transmitting,' says Chesmer. By the end of next year, some of us will start to see the benefits. Vodafone hasn't decided exactly how to market it, but expect to see the service offered as a a low cost extra or bundled with top tier plans. A basic, very low speed service will enable calls and WhatsApp messages – a higher bandwidth tier of around 3 megabits per second will allow more. Vodafone will wholesale the satellite service to competitors, such as O2. Rural voters will be relieved, particularly after Labour slashed the Shared Rural Network – the project meant to fix reception 'not spots' – to save money. And it helps build infrastructure resilience. If a fibre connection to a remote mast is severed, or one base station catches fire, satellites can fill in the gap. AQL's Beaumont says that every LEO operator is eyeing the D2D market. Musk isn't sitting idle. But as is so often the case with American technology tycoons, he views the market as a zero sum game – for him to win, someone else has to lose. His ambitions are clearly set on creating a global 'Musknet' – we can infer from regulatory bids for spectrum he has filed around the world. Musknet would effectively bypass Governments and incumbent operators. But his first D2D service, with T-Mobile in the United States, was a controversial project, since it impinged on the performance of existing networks and required a regulatory waiver. And Musk is more Man Baby than benevolent Sun Baby. His capricious nature hasn't escaped the watching world. Would someone who has toyed with cutting off Ukrainian armed forces hesitate to throw millions of us off Musknet if he felt like it, to prove a point? This question has even vexed Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni, a huge Musk fan. Negotiations between Starlink and Italy over a defence communications deal has stalled. When Vodafone's Tom Griffiths told an industry audience that AST is 'a European sovereign solution', everyone knew what he meant: it wasn't subject to the whims of one billionaire founder who could cut them off at any moment. Space isn't a panacea, but with smart, market minded regulation it will help 'not spot' Britain feel less blighted. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Digital Global Systems Uses AI to Help Satellite Operators Navigate a Shifting Space Market
BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 4, 2025-- After being in stealth mode, Digital Global Systems (DGS) today revealed how it leverages patented AI technology in its RF Awareness platform to help satellite operators and their partners to effectively manage increasing network complexity and create new revenue-generating opportunities in a changing space market. With the impending growth of direct-to-device satellite activity and increasing numbers of consumer, enterprise, and military devices and applications, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite environment is rapidly becoming a more crowded one in which to operate. Advanced RF awareness and spectrum management are key to ensuring unimpeded scalability and reliability for all applications. The direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services market is expected to take off in 2025. As the air interface portion of the network becomes more filled with D2D users, satellite operators with DGS' RF Awareness technology will be able to leverage patented AI techniques to monitor and help mitigate interference, while striving toward more autonomous and self-optimized network operations. In addition, DGS has demonstrated that its AI techniques can be used to reduce the computational processing required to establish D2D links by 25% to 40%. This efficiency improvement translates to lower power consumption and related costs. The basis for these benefits lies in 107 patents, out of 305 total, that DGS holds on the use of autonomous machine-to-machine inference model reasoning and pattern recognition methods to streamline the overall training set for AI applications and directly enable these advantages. Also, as more service providers begin to look to AI for autonomous service creation and network operations, these patented capabilities can be the basis for creating new revenue-generating applications. 'Satellite operators face enormous opportunities to create new services with the imminent growth of D2D, but as space becomes more congested, these operators must effectively manage the RF spectrum, as well as the increasing on-board computing requirements posed by establishing D2D links,' said Fernando Murias, Chairman and CEO of DGS. 'Using AI to analyze data on spectrum usage, signal quality, coverage, and capacity puts providers in the best position to support new services, achieve the highest levels of network reliability, and scale D2D communications to the maximum number of users.' RF Awareness provides these benefits for satellite operators: Increased awareness of congested spectrum environments, along with detailed information on signal quality, coverage, and capacity as well as 52 other signal characteristics that satellite operators can use to mitigate interference. Higher reliability for user applications, including military and defense applications. The ability to fine-tune network parameters based on customer needs and to create a foundation for new, revenue-generating services for satellite operators. Improved on-board computing efficiency, derived from patented AI techniques, that significantly reduces the amount of processing required to establish a D2D link. Enhanced ability to scale D2D communications to support more users without compromising service quality. DGS has a history of supporting dynamic spectrum sharing for mobile operators, private wireless networks, IoT networks, and others through use of AI to autonomously analyze wireless spectrum usage and extract actionable data to improve service quality. Now, with its RF Awareness platform, DGS can provide real-time, AI-driven spectrum analysis and network optimization for the satellite market that other non-AI spectrum analysis platforms struggle to match. RF Awareness uses its AI techniques to intelligently provide a real-time view of shared spectrum, along with ongoing on-orbit RF analysis of the electromagnetic environment to help operators mitigate interference. These capabilities have positive implications not only for communications applications operating in increasingly congested spectrum, but also for satellite-based military applications. Effective RF analysis and optimization is key to maintaining and improving the situational awareness and communications for warfighters, particularly in the event of targeted interference by an opposing force. About DGS Headquartered in northern Virginia, DGS helps network operators, hyperscalers, infrastructure providers, private wireless customers, and other industry players address the global industry challenge of wireless spectrum scarcity. Since 2013, DGS has been issued more than 305 patents, with more than 100 patents pending, setting the standard for its leadership in advancing the detection, identification, classification, and geolocation of radio frequency (RF) signals. AI and machine learning allow industry stakeholders access, awareness, and real-time usage of crucial RF data to diminish interference and enable new wireless services. SOURCE: Digital Global Systems Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/04/2025 08:15 AM/DISC: 03/04/2025 08:14 AM
