MCLEAN, Virginia: Iridium Communications Inc., a global leader in satellite voice and data communications, has announced a strategic partnership with Syniverse, a prominent provider of mobile interoperability services, to launch the Iridium NTN Direct service for mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. This collaboration aims to integrate Iridium’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network with Syniverse’s extensive global platform, enabling MNOs to offer seamless, continuous connectivity to their customers anywhere on the planet.
According to GSMA’s 2025 Industry Survey, 85% of MNOs planning to deploy non-terrestrial network (NTN) services prefer LEO satellite solutions that provide truly global coverage. Iridium NTN Direct is designed to meet this demand by delivering standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) messaging, including SOS capabilities. These services are targeted at consumer devices, automobiles, and industrial sectors such as agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy, and utilities.
The integration with Syniverse’s platform is a critical enabler for MNOs, as it simplifies the complex processes of customer roaming, authentication, and billing—key challenges that have historically hindered satellite adoption by traditional mobile operators. Syniverse’s infrastructure currently supports approximately 600 carrier customers across 170 countries and connects over 830 mobile operators through its global IPX backbone. This extensive network facilitates rapid, standards-compliant deployment of Iridium NTN Direct, helping operators confidently expand into new markets.
