Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global satellite-based voice, data, aircraft surveillance, and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, has partnered with Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. to introduce Furuno’s new SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS. Powered by Iridium Certus 100 technology, the maritime safety terminal combines Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), and Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) functions into a single integrated platform.
Iridium GMDSS entered service in 2020 following recognition by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), becoming the first new provider of satellite GMDSS services since the system was established. It delivers regulated maritime distress and safety communications through Iridium’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, with global coverage, including the polar regions.
Furuno’s addition of Iridium GMDSS to its portfolio gives shipowners and shipyards greater choice in selecting maritime safety equipment for newbuild and retrofit vessels.
“Furuno has been committed to supporting safer navigation at sea for decades, and maritime safety remains at the heart of what we do. The new SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS allows us to strengthen our safety communications portfolio and provide customers with LEO satellite GMDSS technology alongside the Furuno navigation and communications systems they already rely on.”
-Kiyoshi Furuno, Head of Marine Electronic Products Division and Sales Management Department General Manager, Furuno.
“Furuno has a long history of supporting maritime safety, and its addition of Iridium GMDSS brings together that expertise with the global coverage of the Iridium network,” said Wouter Deknopper, vice president and general manager, maritime, Iridium. Together, we are giving shipowners and shipyards another way to equip vessels with reliable maritime safety communications, including in the polar regions.”
– Wouter Deknopper, vice president and general manager, maritime, Iridium
Iridium GMDSS is designed to support crews throughout a maritime safety event, from receiving navigational and meteorological warnings through Iridium SafetyCast® to initiating a distress alert and establishing Safety Voice communications with a Rescue Coordination Center. A single-button distress alert transmits the vessel’s identification, status, and position, while Safety Voice enables crews to communicate directly with rescue authorities to provide additional information about the situation.
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world’s only truly global mobile satellite communications network, providing reliable connectivity and critical services across the globe. Its network supports voice, data and messaging, as well as positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and aircraft surveillance applications. Through its satellite constellation and integrated solutions, including Aireon, the only space-based global aircraft surveillance system, Iridium enables safety-critical operations across aviation, maritime, government, industrial and consumer sectors. The company is also a leading provider of satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and is developing open-standard direct-to-device (D2D) technologies to make satellite communications more accessible worldwide.
