Iridium Communications, a provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced the expanded commercial availability of its Satellite Time and Location (STL) service, an alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution.
Due to increased commercial demand, Iridium partners are now authorised to sell the service in parts of Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. This expansion aims to protect local GNSS systems, such as GPS and Galileo, with a highly resilient signal against spoofing and jamming, thereby ensuring the reliability of timing systems. The Iridium STL service is available globally, with additional regions planned for commercial authorisation as the company’s partners scale and train sales and support staff.
Europe has experienced a significant rise in GPS jamming and spoofing incidents, and similar activities are increasing in parts of Asia. These attacks pose severe risks to critical infrastructure, including transportation systems, energy grids, data centres, telecommunications networks, and financial services, all of which would benefit from more robust PNT signals like Iridium’s STL service. The Iridium STL signal is 1000 times more powerful than GPS, making it particularly suitable for indoor use without requiring rooftop antennas, providing a secure and cost-effective timing solution.
“We’re cognizant of the threats facing GNSS-reliant critical infrastructure around the world and our responsibility to deploy the antidote as quickly as possible,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “The average person is more and more aware of how important systems like GPS are in our day-to-day lives, and when Iridium recently acquired Satelles, I pledged to step on the gas and expand market availability for this increasingly in demand solution. Today’s announcement demonstrates that commitment.”
Iridium’s STL solutions are small, cost-effective, and easy to install. Technology partners manufacturing and selling STL-capable user equipment are increasing their focus on these expanded markets in Europe and Asia. Their STL solutions can be integrated into existing GNSS-reliant network systems or function as standalone primary units.
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