Iridium Adds Ultra-Low Bandwidth Video Over Satellite Broadband Connections

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Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM), the satellite communications company headquartered in McLean, VA, announced an ultra-low bandwidth video transmission technology from a new value-added developer, VideoSoft Global. Running over the Iridium Certus® broadband service, Videosoft’s FireLight solution enables the live transmission of video from as low as 4 Kbps to and from anywhere in the world.

The Firelight solution supports secure live video, audio and data delivery for viewing, command and control, and processing in real-time for a variety of applications. Government entities can use it for security and surveillance; the maritime and aviation industries for beyond visual line of sight video delivery from manned and unmanned vessels and aircraft; and land-based users for operations at fixed sites or on-the-move around the globe. The compression and transmission of live, bandwidth-efficient video over the Iridium network also supports IoT applications, disaster response efforts, and transportation and critical infrastructure monitoring. 

“Traditional live video transmission requires a significant amount of bandwidth and can be costly to users. FireLight’s capability to support live video transmission over Iridium Certus from as low as 4 Kbps opens the door for countless critical applications,” says Bryan Hartin, Executive Vice President, Iridium. “With the addition of VideoSoft’s video compression technology, cost-effective, weather-resilient and reliable video transmission everywhere in the world is now another value-added service available for our customers.”

“Videosoft is delighted to bring the capabilities of ultra-low bandwidth video to Iridium and its user base – working together to provide the very best in performance of network and application, to deliver real world benefits to customers,” adds Stewart McCone, CEO, Videosoft. “Our FireLight solution is a real enabler of video applications previously thought not possible; it’s a true game changer.”

With its 66 satellite constellation in low earth orbit, Iridium differentiates itself by “connecting small things that move.” Such things include battery powered devices with extremely small antennas mounted on planes, boats, trains and trucks, and in handheld devices. FireLight fits that model and is compatible with a wide variety of Iridium Connected satellite terminals built to operate using the Iridium Certus 100, 200 or 700 broadband service.

The company claims that Iridium Certus is the world’s most advanced L-band (1616-1626.5 MHz) satellite service platform, with flexibility to scale device speeds, sizes, and power requirements both up and down based on the needs of the end-user. Iridium points out that it does not compete with commodity broadband services offered by other satellite operators.

The company reported record total revenue in 2021 of nearly $615 million, up 5 percent year-over-year. That total included $492 million of service revenue and $123 million of revenue related to equipment sales and engineering and support projects. Operational EBITDA for 2021 was $378 million, a 6 percent increase from $356 million in 2020. Capital expenditures were $42.1 million for the full-year 2021.

Iridium ended 2021 with 1.7 million total billable commercial and government subscribers, a 17 percent increase from nearly 1.5 million at year-end 2020. Commercial IoT data is the company’s largest and fastest growing segment with 1.2 million subscribers, up 24 percent YoY.

The company’ guidance for full-year 2022 includes total service revenue growth of 5-7 percent, Operational EBITDA of $400-410 million and capital expenditures of $45 million.

By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor

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