Iridium Next: plans for next-gen satellite network

Although nothing is set in stone, everyone's favorite why-aren't-they-dead-yet satellite communications firm, Iridium, is starting to sketch out its next gen satellite network, titled, obviously enough. Iridium Next. Looking to go far beyond mere satphone calling and the like, Next might well include environmental monitoring, sat-photography, GPS, and a 10Mbps "broadband" mesh network. It'll cost Iridium about $2b when they light it up on or before 2016, but don't worry, you're sure to continue paying a buck or two a minute for taking advantage of that network, too.

[Alex @ Feb 18th 2007 11:33PM]

I sincerely hope by then 10mbps isn't considered broadband.

[Charles Gooding @ Feb 18th 2007 11:39PM]

10mbit... thats not to bad but will that be "fast" that long down the road?

oh and....

"MOVIE SIGN!!!"

[scott @ Feb 18th 2007 11:44PM]

"And now to insurt the radioactive Eggo..."

[Austin @ Feb 19th 2007 12:03AM]

Considering the current service offers links speeds of up 2400 baud. Yes thats right 2400 baud. 10mpbs certainly feels like broadband to them.

[Scott @ Feb 19th 2007 12:22AM]

The Satellite of Love flies again... (nobody will get this)

[Ben @ Feb 19th 2007 12:31AM]

Satellite will never be good for data transfer (well for stuff like gaming etc) ... latency. It takes time to bounce the signal to the satellite and back down to the earth.

[cr4zyg047[at]gmail.c0m @ Feb 19th 2007 12:36AM]

"The Satellite of Love flies again... (nobody will get this)"

You're not the only MST3K fan around these parts. I thought I would be the only one to notice the satellite of love in the picture.


Well played, sir. Now I am off, to watch some Roadhouse with Patrick Swayze. :chuckle:

[Joseph Matt @ Feb 19th 2007 12:37AM]

WE'VE GOT MOVIE SIGN!!!!!

[Dr Buzz0 @ Feb 19th 2007 1:39AM]

I have an Iridium phone and it's actually pretty cool, for what it is. Yes, it is the size of a brick, but it's actually very small when you consider the alternatives for communicating anywhere on earth's surface.

10mbps would actually be very high bandwidth for mobile satellite services, since they operate on the L-band, there inst a lot of bandwidth and most are limited to 9.6 kbps. Actually, the iridium handset will only do 2.4kbps data. (yes you read me right. it is only good for text stuff and even that is slow). This is because it sacrifices speed for portability and global coverage.

It's roughly a buck a minute, but you can buy prepaid cards. I've used it in Fiji, Australia, on ships at sea and in the mountains. It makes me feel VERY important.

[chuck @ Feb 19th 2007 2:53AM]

I've used Iridium (at sea and on an airplane) and it's amazing. It costs just $.75 for calls within Iridium and $1.50 to anywhere in the world. It's a steal, considering GSM roaming can get up to $4 per min.

[joe @ Feb 19th 2007 11:33AM]

Hey does anyone know where I can buy an iridium phone for cheap and prepaid cards, seriously interested in this as I spent $4000 in gsm roaming charges to cingular? btw iam tired of buying local prepaids for gsm in every country I go to. Any help

[Paul @ Feb 19th 2007 8:57AM]

Is anyone else confused as to why the picture on the article here looks like a dog bone gone supersized?

[Scott @ Feb 19th 2007 11:15AM]

Read post #5

[ChickebSangwich @ Feb 19th 2007 9:47AM]

why-aren't-they-dead-yet?

US military. When I was in the AF, every comm unit would deploy with a couple of hundred Iridium handsets. They are invaluable in 'bare-base' situations, when traditional satellite comms haven't been set up yet. Great for calling home when the line at the morale tent is too long as well. Not that I ever did that.

[Andrew Hillman @ Feb 19th 2007 11:20AM]

These guys will never profit!

Andrew Hillman

[OMAC @ Feb 19th 2007 11:47AM]

No comment on the subject, just a big fan of MST3K! Great pic!

MST3K fans are legion!

[Andrew @ Feb 20th 2007 5:21AM]

Another MST3K guy checking in! Are you guys checking out RiffTrax.com ? Mike and the bots (err, guys) are at it again! :)