Iridium and SKYWAVE™, an ORBCOMM® company, Partner to Advance Global Industrial IoT for Heavy Equipment OEMs

Iridium Communications Inc. has announced a strategic partnership with SKYWAVE to enhance connected operations for heavy equipment manufacturers through an integrated solution combining satellite and multi-network capabilities. The collaboration aims to support manufacturers as they modernize their equipment and improve uptime, particularly in remote and disconnected locations.

The partnership addresses the challenges faced by heavy equipment manufacturers, which include fragmented communication infrastructures that limit visibility and delay service responses. Iridium’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, known for its reliability and weather resilience, will be paired with SKYWAVE's intelligent multi-network management solution and IoT platform.

As part of the integration, Iridium’s Short Burst Data services will be embedded into SKYWAVE’s satellite IoT terminals. This integration will enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to seamlessly access Iridium's satellite network alongside cellular and Wi-Fi networks, ensuring consistent connectivity across various operating environments.

According to Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium, this partnership will provide vital global LEO capabilities to industrial IoT customers operating in demanding environments. Sameer Agrawal, CEO of ORBCOMM, highlighted that the collaboration is a significant step in SKYWAVE's mission to enhance connectivity solutions for heavy equipment OEMs.

The initial focus of the partnership is on heavy equipment manufacturers, although the architecture is designed to support further industrial applications. By combining resources, Iridium and SKYWAVE aim to establish a resilient foundation for the future of industrial IoT applications, helping manufacturers extend their connected operations.