Some Aliens win, others lose, but Iridium which was a game changer in the 90s’ is returning with a new generation of satellite-based carrier services.
The Iridium satellite constellation is a 2nd generation of the original MEO constellation to support a “handheld” phone. The original 77-satellite Iridium constellation was a financial failure that contributed to the downsizing of Motorola in the 1999 bankruptcy. The original satellites in orbit did have some very dedicated users (such as the USA Federal Government). The long life of the original satellites (95 launched of 99 built, planned to only last 8 years) kept the actual life from 1998 to 2017 for the first generation. The second generation waited until SpaceX launchers were available. SpaceX launched all of the current active Iridium satellites and backups. (66 active satellites provide global service).
Iridium has announced a partnership with an unnamed party to deploy services (presumably using Iridium’s L-band communications spectrum) ranging from 1616-1626.5MHz to communicate directly with ground-based users (subscribers). There are 240 main channels which use 10.5MHz between 1616MHz and 1626MHz which are spaced with 41.667kHz as guard bands. Iridium has K-Ka-band 22.55-23.55 GHz radio links to gateways and other satellites in the constellation. Uplink/Downlinks are 29.1-29.3GHz up and 19.1-19.6GHz down. Iridium handsets are comparatively large and bulky compared to consumer smartphones.
If you’re facing an Alien Invasion and your marketplace and you’d like some tips on how to fight back let’s talk.
On the other hand, if you’d like to swoop in and steal your competitor’s lunch we should talk as well.
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