Rendering of Iridium’s constellation. Photo: Iridium

Iridium Communications is partnering with Syniverse on the rollout of its Iridium NTN Direct service. Iridium plans to integrate with Syniverse’s global platform to contribute to mobile network operator (MNO) adoption. 

Syniverse manages customer roaming, authentication, and billing functions for MNOs and its system serves approximately 600 carrier customers directly in 170 countries worldwide. 

“Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless,” Syniverse CEO Andrew Davies commented. “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.”

Iridium NTN Direct is in the works as a direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band IoT messaging and SOS offering that will serve consumer devices, automobiles and industrial applications in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities. It is compatible with 3GPP Release 19, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. 

Iridium said the first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are planned to be available in 2026.

“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.”