The initial focus of the partnership is on heavy equipment manufacturers
Iridium Communications has recently collaborated with SKYWAVE, a provider of industrial IoT connectivity and enablement solutions. The agenda behind this partnership is to help heavy equipment manufacturers build and scale more resilient connected equipment services across global operating environments.
The partnership will combine Iridium’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and Short Burst Data (SBD) services with SKYWAVE’s multi-network management solution and OGx IoT platform. As part of the integration, Iridium SBD will be embedded directly into SKYWAVE’s satellite IoT terminals, allowing heavy equipment OEMs to access Iridium’s global LEO network as part of a broader connectivity platform.
The companies said the combined solution is designed to extend connected services seamlessly across satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi networks, helping maintain connectivity for equipment operating in remote, disconnected, or challenging environments. The platform will support applications such as remote monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance, service support, and the modernisation of existing connected equipment fleets.
The initial focus of the partnership is on heavy equipment manufacturers, although the underlying architecture is intended to support additional industrial sectors where assets operate globally or beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.
Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium, said the company has spent more than two decades providing pole-to-pole mobile satellite coverage and that the partnership will bring Iridium’s global LEO capabilities to industrial IoT customers operating in demanding environments.
Sameer Agrawal, CEO of ORBCOMM, said the partnership advances SKYWAVE’s goal of becoming an intelligent networking layer for industrial IoT. He added that heavy equipment OEMs are seeking ways to modernise legacy deployments, expand connected service capabilities, and deliver reliable digital experiences regardless of where their equipment operates.
The collaboration is based on the long-standing satellite IoT expertise of both companies. Both companies have an agenda to provide a more resilient foundation for next-generation industrial IoT applications, helping equipment manufacturers maintain connected operations across globally distributed fleets.
