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.
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Syniverse CEO Andrew Davies emphasized the seamless nature of this integration, noting, “Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless. 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.” This reflects Syniverse’s 35-plus years of experience in mobile interoperability and clearing services, which have been instrumental in enabling satellite integration for MNOs.
Iridium CEO Matt Desch highlighted the importance of this partnership for the global D2D ecosystem, stating, “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. The integration of Syniverse’s system with the Iridium network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet.” This signals Iridium’s readiness to lead the market as 3GPP Release 19, which includes NTN standards, approaches completion by the end of 2025.
Iridium’s fully deployed, owned, and operated satellite constellation offers unmatched global coverage and a globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum. This infrastructure, combined with Iridium’s proven track record in providing reliable safety-of-life services, positions Iridium NTN Direct as a leading solution in the NTN and NB-IoT market segments.
The commercial rollout of Iridium NTN Direct is slated for 2026, following the expected finalization of 3GPP Release 19 standards by the end of 2025. The service’s broad applicability—from consumer electronics to critical industrial applications—underscores its potential to transform connectivity paradigms across multiple sectors.
This partnership not only strengthens Iridium’s position in the emerging direct-to-device satellite market but also represents a significant step toward bridging terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, enabling mobile operators to offer truly global, reliable connectivity to their customers.
This collaboration marks a pivotal advancement in global satellite connectivity, promising to extend mobile network reach to every corner of the globe.
