I'm wondering what this news about a Globalstar deal with Apple and Apple smart phones set up to access Globalstar means for Iridium? Hopefully this won't end up being like what Facebook did to myspace.
My opinion goes like this...
Globalstar is mostly in a different market segment and really doesn't compete well with IRDM's main products and services. That said, after the announcement, Globalstar's stock GSAT justifiably went up and IRDM also went up but by a smaller percentage. I'm not 100% certain, but I think IRDM satellites could be used for some of the same services that boosted Globalstar's stock.
Globalstar's global coverage is only from 70 S to 70 N latitude coverage; minimum two satellite coverage in temperate zones. This doesn't cut it for many ships, airliners, remote locations services, and remote IoT requirements for things like pipeline monitoring, and the US military.
IRDM is the ONLY 100% true global coverage satellite communication, positioning, and tracking service. This is why IRDM has been approved for ocean-going worldwide shipping traffic emergency services for communications, rescue, and tracking. It is and remains the only satellite company with global coverage.
IRDM is also working to develop oceanic jet airliner traffic tracking and communications. Right now when airliners are flying more than 200 miles off a coastline, there is no radar tracking and sometimes no communications other than a sat-phone and no navigation devices that are shore based to verify positions. This makes for inefficient jet routes and air traffic control.
Here's an example of things to come:
SITA customers to be offered next generation Iridium Certus® satellite communications services
SITA to integrate Iridium's next gen satellite service for the reliable transmission of critical airline and air traffic control voice and data communications
Press Release - Location: Geneva - 7 Sep, 2021
www.sita.aero/pressroom/news-releases/sita-customers-to-be-offered-next-generation-iridium-certus-satellite-communications-services/SITA today announced it will integrate the Iridium Certus® satellite communication service into its Unified Aircraft Communications portfolio, which provides critical communications for SITA's airline and Air Navigation Service Provider customers globally, and supports more than 19,000 aircraft in their daily operations.
Iridium Certus enables a dedicated native IP connection to the cockpit with global coverage and increased security via authentication and virtual private networking. The platform also increases the capacity of the overall aircraft communications ecosystem, easing the adoption of future air traffic management practices and applications that help optimize aircraft and airspace operations in general. These applications support the reduction of aviation's environmental impact and help generate efficiencies for aircraft operators. For example, graphical weather services like SITA's EFB Weather Awareness Services (eWAS Pilot) can be enhanced via satellite communications. Connecting such applications inflight allows pilots to access the most up-to-date multi-source weather reports for turbulence, thunderstorms, and lightning in real time, and consequently to avoid hazardous weather, generate fuel savings, reduce emissions, operational cost, and the cost of delays. At the same time, passengers experience a more comfortable service.
Iridium Certus redefines the capabilities of mobile satellite communications in a single, condensed platform. Designed to support critical connectivity needs regardless of location, terrain, and weather, it perfectly complements SITA's global VHF network.
Tim Last, Vice President and General Manager of Aviation, Iridium, said: "Iridium Certus provides airlines with a powerful and versatile satcom solution that opens up the possibilities of connected aircraft. We're excited to be positioned alongside the SITA suite of solutions already servicing more than 19,000 aircraft and look forward to exploring the partnership's potential. Iridium Certus is a flexible platform and will continue to evolve. It offers higher and lower data speeds through a wide variety of connected equipment to address customer needs and expand into new markets."
SITA will support validating the Iridium Certus service and aircraft satellite communications systems for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) use on the SITA network to ensure suitability for the handling of Air Traffic Control communications. Evaluations are anticipated to commence before the end of 2022. Iridium Certus will become a line-fit on most major aircraft types and be retrofitted so existing aircraft can benefit from the latest satellite communications technology.
Yann Cabaret, Vice President of Strategy, Product and Marketing, SITA FOR AIRCRAFT, said: "We're delighted to extend our successful long-term partnership with Iridium to offer Iridium Certus to the airlines. With our recent acquisition of Safety Line, we've demonstrated our commitment to innovation around the connected aircraft. Various applications in the market can benefit from being connected inflight to Iridium Certus. From helping airlines achieve greater efficiency and reduce carbon footprint and fuel expenditure, to increasing passenger comfort and safety, the connected aircraft signals a smarter, safer, and more sustainable aviation future for all."
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Iridium announces partnership with Canadian Coast Guard
Iridium Communications Inc. (PRNewsfoto/Iridium Communications Inc.)
NEWS PROVIDED BY Iridium Communications Inc.
Aug 04, 2021
www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iridium-announces-partnership-with-canadian-coast-guard-301347988.htmlMCLEAN, Va., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) today announced that the Canadian Coast Guard has adopted Iridium Certus® connectivity with support from Iridium partner MetOcean Telematics. The Coast Guard deployed dozens of Iridium Certus™ Thales VesseLINK™ 700 terminals on its vessels, including icebreakers, to contribute to reliable internet connectivity as crew members deliver programs and services to ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters and protect Canada's marine environment. Iridium Certus delivers weather-resilient and completely global coverage, ensuring dependable connectivity in the high Arctic where the Coast Guard serves.
The Canadian Coast Guard has deployed weather-resilient Iridium Certus technology, featuring the Thales VesseLINK 700, on its vessels, including icebreakers.
The Canadian Coast Guard responds to marine search and rescue and environmental incidents, provides icebreaking and aids to navigation services, and ensures waterways are safe and accessible for business year-round including in the Arctic during the operational season from June to November. While on duty in the high Arctic, the Iridium® network supports Coast Guard ships' and crew members' ability to stay in touch with headquarters. Iridium Certus connectivity also supports the Coast Guard's general safety with access to navigational data and weather reports, which is a large improvement from historical solutions.
"Reliable internet connectivity onboard our vessels helps contribute to our crew members' well-being and ensures that our crews are able to carry out the Canadian Coast Guard's services to protect mariners and the marine environment. Having a support network to ensure we never lose that vital connection with our shore-based personnel and services is vital in the Arctic," says Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
"The Canadian Coast Guard provides essential services that keep things moving safely in the Arctic waterways all year round," says Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. "Iridium is proud to support the Coast Guard's initiatives by enabling them to stay connected no matter how far north or remote their duty takes them."
"MetOcean is pleased to support the communication efforts of the Canadian Coast Guard. Providing its members with 24/7 real-time secure voice, data, and crew communications services and support," says Tony Chedrawy, CEO, MetOcean Telematics. "The requirements of Coast Guard personnel while deployed in the Arctic are immeasurable, as they are dedicated to maintaining the safety of mariners as well as protecting the marine environment, within the high Arctic. MetOcean is committed to ensure that Coast Guard personnel are always connected with their command stations."
The only communications network providing reliable coverage to the polar regions, Iridium enables critical communications and safety services for anyone traveling through the world's most dangerous-to-navigate regions. Unique in the satellite industry, Iridium Certus delivers the fastest L-band speeds in the world – even at the poles – and is the only broadband service that provides truly global, weather-resilient coverage for on-the-move internet and high-quality voice access. As an L-band network, Iridium is also uniquely positioned to provide safety services, including those for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which Iridium launched in December 2020.
For more information about Iridium visit:
www.iridium.com For more information about the Canadian Coastguard, visit:
www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca For more information about MetOcean Telematics, visit:
www.metocean.comIridium 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.
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Iridium Certus Aircraft Service Provider and Terminal Supplier Network Continues to Expand
By Woodrow Bellamy III | September 7, 2021
www.aviationtoday.com/2021/09/07/certus/airlines, in-flight connectivity, Iridium Certus, L-Band, SITA
Iridium expects the first Certus aviation terminals to become available by the end of the year, although the company's vice president says the IP connectivity it can provide will be applicable to other areas of aviation beyond commercial airlines. (Iridium)
When Iridium first introduced Certus in 2016, its main aviation application appeared to be air transport category aircraft that already use the satellite operator's existing L-band network. While that does remain the largest overall addressable market size for Certus, Tim Last, the Vice President of Iridium's aviation division, told Avionics International that a wide variety of other aircraft types including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOLs) aircraft and drones could eventually be flying with Certus modems and antennas in the near future.
First unveiled in 2016, Certus is Iridium’s multi-service communications platform designed to provide safety services communications, with two voice channels and aircraft communications and reporting system network data link connectivity simultaneously. Since then, the number of companies that have partnered with Iridium to become value-added manufacturers of Certus terminals has expanded to include Avitek, Collins Aerospace, Gogo, Honeywell, Navicom Aviation, Satcom Direct, Skytrac, and Thales.
"With Iridium Certus, we will have support for [Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service] AMS(R)S services that include [air traffic control] ATC and [airline operational control] AOC communications but will also support other cockpit solutions such as block box data, [System Wide Information Management] SWIM data, weather data, [electronic flight bag] EFB services and so forth. In addition, Iridium partners are going to support business jet cabin services, rotorcraft services and also UAV and general aviation solutions," Last said.
A number of new milestones have also recently been added to the Certus aviation service launch timeline. As an example, SITA revealed in a Sept. 7 announcement that it will integrate Certus into its "United Aircraft Communications portfolio," which includes its Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) messaging service between controllers and pilots, graphical weather, and other cockpit services.
"SITA will support validating the Iridium Certus service and aircraft satellite communications systems for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) use on the SITA network to ensure suitability for the handling of Air Traffic Control communications. Evaluations are anticipated to commence before the end of 2022," SITA said in the announcement, noting that the integration would make Certus available for 19,000 in-service aircraft.
Another aviation-specific adoption of Certus is under development in Japan, where the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) approved regulatory amendments necessary to allow for Japanese adoption of Iridium Certus broadband, along with the legacy non-Certus Iridium Controller–Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and other aeronautical services for aviation, according to an Aug. 2 press release. Following all required processes of the regulatory amendments, Japanese flagged aircraft can start using the services according to Iridium. Last said Iridium is seeking similar CPDLC approval in the U.S.
"The CPDLC approval in Japan is for the existing/original Iridium service. It has not yet received the Iridium Certus approval, which still has terminals in development.
We are moving forward with the FAA evaluation, which will be the route to global approval for AMS(R)S, but as you know that can take some time. The Japan approval is for existing Iridium safety services to be used on Japanese flagged aircraft," Last said.
The Iridium Certus L-band 9810 module. (Iridium)
Currently, the Iridium 700 and 200 service versions of Certus are live, with several aviation VAMs and service providers already completing over-the-air testing in both classes. Honeywell on Aug. 12 announced its Aspire 150 and 350 satellite communications as the first aviation Satcom terminals to demonstrate connectivity at up to 700 kbps using Certus.
Connectivity with the satellites was achieved using a small, light-active high-gain antenna, according to Honeywell. Other components in the system include the satellite data unit (SDU), the SDU configuration module, and a low-gain antenna.
Eventually, terminals with smaller and more compact form factors could be supplied by Certus for a number of other existing and emerging aircraft types as well.
"Iridium Certus is a unique service platform in that it’s able to scale in both device size and speed to suit the end-user needs. With that comes SWaP advantages as well. This makes it ideal for all aspects of aviation – rotorcraft, business jets, UAV, GA, balloons, supersonic aircraft, eVTOLs/urban air mobility applications and many more," Last said. "You’ll see more evidence of this in the coming weeks as we prepare to introduce commercial service for Iridium Certus 100, which is bringing the smallest-form-factor to speed L-band capability the market has ever seen, which makes it particularly exciting for UAVs, GA, EVTOLs and smaller business jets."
Last said several Certus partners are getting closer to launching the use of Certus on the first in-service aircraft types approved to use the service.
"We are working closely with our partners on this and they are getting closer to launch. As noted, we expect initial products to be available by the end of this year, with more following soon thereafter in early 2022. Each partner will have their own announcements and you can find some that are already sharing information about companies choosing their solutions," Last said.
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This is NextGen
www.faa.gov/nextgen/this_is_nextgen/The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is the FAA-led modernization of America's air transportation system to make flying even safer, more efficient, and more predictable.
Goals include using new technologies and procedures to increase the safety, efficiency, capacity, access, flexibility, predictability, and resilience of the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the environmental effect of aviation. A larger objective is a new way of managing air traffic through Trajectory Based Operations.
The modernization of the NAS is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in U.S. history. Rather than simply making minor upgrades to aging infrastructure, the FAA and its partners are implementing major new technologies and capabilities.
All of NextGen's upgrades are being implemented while the FAA and NextGen stakeholders continue to deliver on our shared top priorities: emphasizing safety, increasing efficiency, improving environmental performance, and enhancing the passenger experience in the busiest — and safest — airspace system in the world.
www.faa.gov/nextgen/media/NextGenAnnualReport-FiscalYear2020.pdfThe link above has the NEXGEN program objectives. There's a lot boring stuff in there especially for non-pilots, but I'll sum it up like this:
The FAA is abandoning many older ground based navigational aides for routing traffic via charted airways, as well as communication for space based services and voice free data delivery for routing and communications. Making the entire system more efficient allowing for more direct routes and far fewer voice reports.
Here's a personal example:
When I was flying airliners and private jets, pilots would have to go out over the radio and request their flight clearances and routing. I would copy it down and then have to repeat it. It is a time consuming process, especially if there is a mistake or a difference from what was in the filed flight plan. A simple digital read out downloaded to the cockpit would simplify the process. A simple press of a button would acknowledge receipt of clearances and verification of routing to be followed. It could work the same in the air for landing instructions. Simple push of a button downloading and push of a button acknowledgement.