Vodafone IoT said it will integrate Iridium’s direct-to-device (D2D) satellite technology into its connectivity portfolio, broadening its global coverage for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Under the partnership, Vodafone IoT will gain access to Iridium NTN Direct, a 3GPP standards-based narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) service operating over Iridium’s satellite constellation. The service, scheduled for commercial launch in 2026, will enable devices to connect directly to satellites without the need for terrestrial infrastructure.
The companies said they will carry out integration and testing ahead of a full commercial rollout. Once operational, the service will support data messaging, tracking, and real-time monitoring for IoT, automotive, and industrial use cases. It is designed to extend connectivity to remote or hard-to-reach areas, including offshore energy installations, shipping routes, and emergency response operations.
Vodafone IoT said the partnership will allow customers to maintain reliable communication in areas not served by terrestrial networks, supporting applications such as wind farm monitoring, oil pipeline management, and maritime tracking.
Iridium has signed similar integration agreements with Deutsche Telekom and decentralized telecom provider Karrier One, reflecting growing industry momentum toward hybrid satellite-terrestrial IoT solutions that provide continuous global coverage.
