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MCLEAN, Va., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a special U.S. government version of the Iridium® 9603 module built for Enhanced Short Burst Data (ESBD). ESBD is a low-latency and secure messaging service designed to provide optimal transmission security (TRANSEC) for the U.S. government and approved allies.
The ESBD version can act as a drop-in replacement for the existing Iridium 9603 Short Burst Data® (SBD®) module. Alongside Iridium's known reliability and resiliency, Iridium 9603 ESBD can deliver secure one- or two-way messaging with an increased payload capacity for mobile-originated (MO) and mobile-terminated (MT) messages. Example applications range from command and control (C2) and image data transfer to personnel and asset tracking.
"Iridium 9603 ESBD is a testament to Iridium's commitment to investing in secure, low-latency solutions that address threats in the changing global environment," said Scott Scheimreif, executive vice president, government programs, Iridium. "The new module offers end-to-end communication security for critical operations, helping ensure warfighters can exchange vital information with confidence — no matter the environment. This capability not only safeguards mission success but also reflects the Department of Defense's trust in Iridium's proven technology, network reliability, and operational excellence."
The upgraded module represents the latest innovation of Iridium to support the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) program, a decades-long partnership that delivers truly global standard and secure voice, broadcast, PTT, and other services to an unlimited number of Department of Defense and DoD-approved subscribers anywhere on Earth. Iridium 9603 ESBD is targeted to be made available to EMSS-approved value-added manufacturers in July.
With its unique low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, Iridium provides resilient L-band connectivity and unparalleled global coverage that does not encounter permanent line-of-sight blockages faced by geostationary (GEO) systems. This helps to ensure the delivery of mission-critical communications for the DoD and other federal agencies. Whether in high-risk combat zones or during inclement weather events, the Iridium network provides pole-to-pole satellite communications that keep users connected when it's needed most, making it critically important for the Joint All Domain Command and Control's (JADC2) Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) communications architecture.
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. In 2024, Iridium acquired Satelles and announced the Iridium Satellite Time and Location® service. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
MCLEAN, Va., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a special U.S. government version of the Iridium® 9603 module built for Enhanced Short Burst Data (ESBD). ESBD is a low-latency and secure messaging service designed to provide optimal transmission security (TRANSEC) for the U.S. government and approved allies.
The ESBD version can act as a drop-in replacement for the existing Iridium 9603 Short Burst Data® (SBD®) module. Alongside Iridium's known reliability and resiliency, Iridium 9603 ESBD can deliver secure one- or two-way messaging with an increased payload capacity for mobile-originated (MO) and mobile-terminated (MT) messages. Example applications range from command and control (C2) and image data transfer to personnel and asset tracking.
"Iridium 9603 ESBD is a testament to Iridium's commitment to investing in secure, low-latency solutions that address threats in the changing global environment," said Scott Scheimreif, executive vice president, government programs, Iridium. "The new module offers end-to-end communication security for critical operations, helping ensure warfighters can exchange vital information with confidence — no matter the environment. This capability not only safeguards mission success but also reflects the Department of Defense's trust in Iridium's proven technology, network reliability, and operational excellence."
The upgraded module represents the latest innovation of Iridium to support the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) program, a decades-long partnership that delivers truly global standard and secure voice, broadcast, PTT, and other services to an unlimited number of Department of Defense and DoD-approved subscribers anywhere on Earth. Iridium 9603 ESBD is targeted to be made available to EMSS-approved value-added manufacturers in July.
With its unique low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, Iridium provides resilient L-band connectivity and unparalleled global coverage that does not encounter permanent line-of-sight blockages faced by geostationary (GEO) systems. This helps to ensure the delivery of mission-critical communications for the DoD and other federal agencies. Whether in high-risk combat zones or during inclement weather events, the Iridium network provides pole-to-pole satellite communications that keep users connected when it's needed most, making it critically important for the Joint All Domain Command and Control's (JADC2) Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) communications architecture.
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. In 2024, Iridium acquired Satelles and announced the Iridium Satellite Time and Location® service. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
Press Contact:
Investor Contact:
Jordan Hassin
Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc.
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com
Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7421
+1 (703) 287-7570
X: @Iridiumcomm
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Iridium Equips 9603 Module with Enhanced Short Burst Data Capabilities for Government Users
The Initiative Aims to Address the Pain Points of Family Filmmaking
BEIJING, Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 6th, the 3rd FamilyLens International Film Festival opened in Beijing. SmallRig, a global specialized provider of imaging solutions, collaborating with FamilyLens, is empowering family filmmaking through various initiatives, including the Family Filmmaking Co-Creation Initiative, a dedicated family filmmaking kit, and a social impact screening program.
Deepening the "Co-Creation Initiatives"
The Co-Creation Initiatives are a series of global creative initiatives open to filmmakers and image creators worldwide. Through deep collaboration across multiple dimensions — including product co-creation, discovery and promotion, and content co-creation — SmallRig aims to expand the boundaries of mobile filmmaking and bring the spirit of Free Your Dream to life with creators everywhere.
Following the launch of the Mobile Filmmaking Co-Creation Initiative at the 14th International Smartphone Film Festival, SmallRig announced the launch of the Family Filmmaking Co-Creation Initiative on December 6th at the 3rd FamilyLens International Film Festival. The initiative invites global creators and every family to participate, focusing on three core directions: product co-creation, work promotion, and content co-creation, to explore the possibilities of family filmmaking for everyone.
Mr. Zhou Yang, Founder and CEO of SmallRig, shared the inspiration for the initiative: "The initiative is rooted in the immense universality and profound emotional depth inherent in family narratives, which serve as a common emotional bond connecting global audiences. We firmly believe that in this era, where everyone can be a content creator, every family can and should film their own story. The instinct to create is deeply embedded in the human spirit, and every home is the origin of countless narratives."
Gu Xue, Founder and Director of the FamilyLens International Film Festival, stated: "We hope that people and practitioners around the world who care about family movies can find suitable solutions and gain insights from the Co-Creation Initiatives. We look forward to more and more people exploring the field of 'Home' together through this initiative."
To address the pain points of family filmmaking, SmallRig officially released the SmallRig Family Filmmaking Kit at the opening ceremony. The kit includes a high-quality microphone, fill light, and a portable tripod, specifically designed to achieve "professional function democratization" and "complex feature simplification." During the FamilyLens Workshop, attendees experienced the convenience of the equipment firsthand. Many expressed that the kit truly solves many problems, enabling ordinary families to complete necessary filming without specialized photography knowledge.
Social Impact Screening Program
The 3rd FamilyLens International Film Festival is open to the public from December 6th to 14th. The festival opened with the screening of well-received documentary: K-Family Affairs. In addition to the competition section, the festival features several distinctive sections, including the Reframing Home Movies— An Italian Retrospective, Youth Film Program, Filmmaker in Focus, and the Social Impact Program. Four major awards, such as the Real-Life Portrait Award and the Artistic Exploration Award, will also be presented.
As a key component of the Co-Creation Initiatives, the SmallRig Image Development Fund partnered with the FamilyLens International Film Festival to curate the "Social Impact Screening Program." This unit focuses on elevating awareness of critical issues within the family unit, advocating for a new reflection: "Starting with Seeing, Concluding with Understanding."
Arum Nam, Director of K-Family Affairs, stated:
"Starting with the stories of your family, your friends, and yourself, I believe this personal narrative can connect directly to the bigger society."
SmallRig believes that truly meaningful social impact storytelling stems from awareness in proximity—achieved by using the lens to penetrate the daily surface and enabling a deep, empathetic "Seeing with Empathy."
The four featured works in this unit are:
- People of the Ascent
- Granny's Lost and Found
- Ruixi at Fourteen
- No Country For My Maternal Grandma
These films highlight four family issues that require "seeing": the yearning of left-behind children, the mental isolation of Alzheimer's patients, the elderly searching for subjectivity in their drifting lives, and the emotional volatility and struggle of Bipolar Disorder.
Strategic Outlook and Future Expansion
SmallRig will continue to support the Family Filmmaking Co-Creation Initiative's deep development through promotional campaigns and practical workshops focused on family movie scenarios.
The overall goal of SmallRig's Global Co-creation Initiative is to continuously explore and meet the growing, diverse needs of global creators across different vertical domains. SmallRig is committed to persistently expanding the co-creation model into more imaging sectors, collaborating with industry partners to push the boundaries of imaging and grant global creators broader creative freedom.
About SmallRig
Founded in 2013, SmallRig is an innovation-driven global company that designs and manufactures comprehensive support solutions and accessories for all content creation needs. Trusted by over four million creators globally, SmallRig pioneered the User Co-creation Design (UCD) philosophy and the DreamRig Program.
For more information, visit: www.smallrig.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
SmallRig and FamilyLens Launch Global Family Filmmaking Initiative at 3rd FamilyLens International Film Festival
SmallRig and FamilyLens Launch Global Family Filmmaking Initiative at 3rd FamilyLens International Film Festival
SmallRig and FamilyLens Launch Global Family Filmmaking Initiative at 3rd FamilyLens International Film Festival
