Iridium Communications announced the Iridium 9604 IoT module, a compact three‑in‑one device that combines Iridium Short Burst Data satellite service, LTE‑M cellular connectivity, and GNSS positioning in a 16 mm × 26 mm × 2.4 mm package.
Built on the u‑blox SARA‑R5 platform, the module eliminates the need for separate satellite, cellular, and positioning chips, reducing solution complexity and cost. Beta users report a 30% reduction in bill‑of‑materials and a 25% decrease in power consumption compared with traditional dual‑mode designs, and the module cuts board space by more than 60%.
Commercial availability is slated for June 2026, with a development kit already available for testing. The launch positions Iridium to expand its IoT portfolio beyond satellite‑only offerings and to compete more directly with emerging low‑Earth‑orbit broadband and cellular‑based IoT solutions, potentially opening new revenue streams in mission‑critical markets.
The announcement comes as Iridium’s IoT segment continues to drive growth, with 2025 revenue up 5% year‑over‑year to $871.7 million and a 5% increase in billable subscribers. Management highlighted strong cash flow and a focus on growth opportunities in specialized segments, noting that the integrated module provides flexibility for customers to design lower‑cost, smaller, and power‑efficient solutions.
Iridium’s strategy to broaden its connectivity portfolio aligns with its broader IoT roadmap, which includes the dedicated SBD modules, Iridium NTN Direct, and the Certus 9704. The new 9604 module is expected to strengthen Iridium’s position in industrial, infrastructure, and mobility markets where integrated connectivity is increasingly demanded.
By integrating satellite, cellular, and GNSS in a single package, the 9604 reduces component count and simplifies design, which is attractive to OEMs seeking to lower cost and power consumption in mission‑critical applications such as remote monitoring, asset tracking, and industrial automation.
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