Iridium and SKYWAVE Partner to Expand Industrial IoT for Heavy Equipment OEMs — Iridium Communications Inc.

Event summary

Iridium Communications Inc. and SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM company, announced a strategic partnership on July 28, 2026 to advance global industrial IoT for heavy equipment OEMs.
The partnership combines Iridium's pole-to-pole LEO satellite network with SKYWAVE's intelligent multi-network management solution and OGx IoT platform.
Iridium SBD services will be embedded directly into SKYWAVE satellite IoT terminals, providing seamless connectivity across satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi networks.
The integrated solution supports applications including remote monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and service support for heavy equipment manufacturers.

The big picture

This partnership addresses the growing need for resilient connected services in remote and disconnected locations, a critical challenge for heavy equipment manufacturers. By combining Iridium's global LEO network with SKYWAVE's multi-network management platform, the companies aim to create a more robust foundation for industrial IoT applications. The collaboration highlights the increasing importance of seamless connectivity solutions in modernizing legacy deployments and expanding digital capabilities across various industries.

What we're watching

Market Expansion: The pace at which the partnership will expand beyond heavy equipment manufacturers into other industrial verticals.
Technical Integration: How seamlessly Iridium SBD services can be embedded into SKYWAVE's satellite IoT terminals and the reliability of the combined solution.
Competitive Dynamics: Whether this partnership will pressure other satellite and IoT providers to enhance their global connectivity offerings.