IRIDIUM
Breakthrough innovation specialist Cambridge Consultants, part of Altran group, announces the completion of a decade long, multidisciplinary project with Iridium Communications Inc. Cambridge Consultants has been Iridium’s partner for the development of its core technology fueling the ground-based devices and infrastructure underpinning the revolutionary Iridium® NEXT satellite upgrade campaign.
Largest Space Technology Upgrade
The new satellite constellation, a $3 billion project, is the largest technology upgrade ever to take place in space: a total replacement of the legacy satellite network. Iridium NEXT completes a transformation of Iridium’s business, enabling entirely new services, including the new Iridium Certus® L-band broadband service, which becomes the world’s fastest and only truly global broadband network.
As part of its long-term strategic partnership with Iridium, Cambridge Consultants committed a multidisciplinary team of over 100 engineers to develop core technology behind the Iridium Certus® service. The project culminated with the deployment of 75 new satellites into low earth orbit. The Iridium satellite constellation is the only commercial communications network with pole-to-pole coverage of the entire planet. Technology developed in partnership between Cambridge Consultants and Iridium will enable enhanced and entirely new IoT and mobile internet applications through smaller and more cost-effective terminals.
Building on its track record of technically challenging and mission-critical system design, Cambridge Consultants helped to develop vital technology components, including transceivers, gateway systems and service management platforms, alongside multiple generations of Iridium handsets that can access the new multi-service platform.
The Iridium Certus® service enables mobile office functionality for deployed teams and two-way remote communication for assets, autonomous vehicles, trains, aircraft and ships at sea. This also includes safety-of-life services, where Iridium Certus® is uniquely suited for the critical communications needs of teams operating beyond the reach of cellular coverage, including first responders and search and rescue organizations. The new satellite constellation will also support enhanced and entirely new IoT applications, enabling higher speeds through low-power, small form-factor devices.
In a further honor, Iridium has dedicated one of the new satellites to Cambridge Consultants, fitting a commemorative plaque to the satellite that recognizes the ”many innovations and technical achievements that have helped make Iridium the success it is today.” To have a vehicle in space dedicated to Cambridge Consultants, Altran Group, is a significant and even a moving experience.
It represents the culmination of effort from a huge team that has played a part in Iridium’s evolution.
(Iridium is a satellite communications company that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world)
We are delighted to build on the rich history of collaboration and innovation between Cambridge Consultants and Iridium. Richard Traherne Chief Commercial Officer, Cambridge Consultants
Our technology partner, Cambridge Consultants, is unique in its ability to support our vision of state-of-the-art connectivity, anywhere in the world. Cambridge Consultants has achieved this position with us under challenging time constraints, employing their world-class skills across a range of disciplines, including strategic insight, digital service design, communication network expertise and device development. They’ve helped us redefine the capabilities of satellite communications. Matt Desch Chief Executive Officer, Iridium
