The Iridium 9603 chip module was designed for embedding into machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions used for remote asset tracking, monitoring and alarming in defense, government, enterprise and consumer markets.

   The Iridium 9603 is 70 percent smaller by volume, and half the board footprint of the previous Iridium 9602 model. The company said the unit is ideal in environments where larger transceivers do not fit.

   “With the 9603, Iridium is disrupting the global M2M market by becoming relevant to new customer segments such as personnel tracking for consumers and governments as well as fleet, vehicle and heavy equipment tracking and monitoring,” Iridium Vice President of Product Management Joel Thompson said in a statement. “This device, which is smaller than a matchbook, further enables Iridium’s vital communications service with the same rich feature set in a terrific value proposition.