Article provided by Paul E. Hill
Business Development Manager, Satellite IoT, Maxtena, Inc.
L-Band, the radio frequency range between 1-2 GHz, was crucial to developing key technologies in the 1980s and 1990s.
Its resilient signal resists rain fade and can penetrate buildings and small antennas, making it ideal for global navigation systems like global positioning systems (GPS) and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). These systems underpin everything from aviation and internet to terrestrial communications and banking. Beyond navigation, L-Band enabled satellite constellations such as Iridium’s low Earth orbit (LEO) and Inmarsat’s geostationary (now ViaSat) networks, which have provided decades of real-time global connectivity and maritime safety.
Despite the rise of mega constellations like Starlink, which operate in Ku and Ka bands, L-Band networks like Iridium remain vital. Iridium’s unique pole-to-pole coverage is unmatched, providing ubiquitous, real-time global reach. Mega constellations focus on high-density satellites in inclined orbits over populated areas to reduce latency and increase throughput, targeting internet access rather than mission-critical communications. Iridium’s origins are military-focused, emphasizing reliability and coverage over entertainment. It continues to innovate by shrinking device size, weight, and power consumption.
Iridium’s current strength lies in the Internet of Things (IoT), with IoT devices activated on its network outnumbering voice subscriptions three to one. For over 20 years, Iridium has supported global narrowband ocean observation through programs like the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP) and ARGO, transmitting vital meteorological and oceanographic data. Its new CERTUS mid-band and broadband terminals provide International Maritime Organization (IMO)-regulated Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) services, enhancing maritime communication and safety.
The constellation also plays a critical role in COSPAS-SARSAT’s Search and Rescue (SAR) system, improving government marine rescue operations through integrated dual-use beacons, voice services, and automatic identification system (AIS) data delivery. Robotics developers were early adopters of Iridium’s network, benefiting from its low power needs and persistent connectivity to focus on propulsion, sensors, and cost reduction—making it a leader in marine technology integration.
Since 1998, Iridium has been indispensable to the and allied forces, delivering real-time logistics and battlefield communications worldwide. This demanding use drives ongoing efforts to strengthen network redundancy and backbone reliability—failure is not an option. Although new satellite systems provide broadband internet access, Iridium remains a critical backup, especially in maritime shipping during heavy weather, precipitation, or unexpected network outages.
Iridium offers a range of IoT satellite services varying in speed, power consumption, and antenna size—from low-speed Symmetrical Packet Data (SBD, RUDICS) to high-speed CERTUS broadband services. This versatility allows for diverse applications across industries.
The future lies in converging terrestrial cellular and satellite networks. Hybrid transceiver modules combining satellite, GNSS, LTE, and sensors are emerging, lowering costs and broadening adoption. Direct-to-Device connectivity, Non-Terrestrial Networks, and AI-driven software-defined wide area networks (WAN) represent the next wave of seamless global communication—areas where Iridium is well-positioned.
Iridium’s new Satellite Timing and Location (STL) service addresses the growing threat of GPS jamming and denial by providing assured position, timing, and navigation even in contested environments. This innovation underscores Iridium’s role as the premium LEO satellite provider, continually evolving to meet modern IoT and communication demands with resilient, adaptive technologies.
Featured image credit: Seatrec Inc., An Iridium-equipped – renewable-energy variable buoyancy profiling float