AWS, Iridium Partner on Space-Based IoT Network
Iridium, the satellite communication specialist, is nearing full deployment of a new constellation of telecom satellites that would plug gaps in cellular coverage. Iridium and launch partner Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, expect to launch the final 10 satellites making up the $3 billion NEXT space-based network by the end of 2018.
Iridium, McLean, Va., is now looking beyond wireless coverage to include a space-based platform for handling Internet of Things applications. The satellite company announced a partnership this week with Amazon Web Services for development of a cloud-based IoT platform providing global coverage. The partners said the goal is to create a space-based cloud network to handle the projected 75 billion IoT devices expected to be deployed by 2025.