BREAKING: Mavenir has been selected by Iridium Communications Inc. to deliver a cutting-edge Core Network for its Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), launching Direct-to-Device (D2D) services globally. This strategic partnership was just announced on September 23, 2025, marking a significant advancement in satellite-based connectivity.
This collaboration is set to revolutionize the Internet of Things (IoT) and enhance communication services across the globe. Mavenir’s cloud-native solution will be hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), ensuring seamless integration and high availability for Iridium’s satellite network. The deployment of Mavenir’s Converged Packet Core is a critical step toward delivering 3GPP standards-based capabilities, enabling real-time communication between devices without terrestrial infrastructure.
Ashok Khuntia, President of Core Networks at Mavenir, stated,
“This collaboration with Iridium is a strategic milestone in Mavenir’s mission to enable seamless connectivity across terrestrial and non-terrestrial domains.”
This partnership is designed not only to address current needs but also to prepare for future D2D offerings, significantly impacting the way consumers and businesses interact with IoT technologies.
The new Core Network will support various functionalities, including Converged Session Management and Policy Control, all designed for scalability and reliability. This infrastructure will allow Iridium to efficiently manage NB-IoT traffic through multiple channels, including IP, UDP, and Non-IP Data Delivery (NIDD), ensuring a robust service delivery framework.
Tim Last, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Iridium, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating,
“As we prepare to launch Iridium NTN Direct, our partnership with Mavenir will help ensure a strong foundation for the service.”
He noted that the initiative aims to provide a truly global and reliable solution for mobile network operators, chipmakers, and consumers worldwide.
The implications of this development extend beyond immediate service enhancements. The project paves the way for a smooth transition to 5G NR, allowing Iridium to leverage the same backend infrastructure for future connectivity needs with minimal downtime.
This partnership not only highlights Mavenir’s commitment to innovation but also enhances its growing portfolio in the satellite sector, showcasing its ability to deliver proven, standards-compliant packet core solutions tailored for cloud-native environments.
As Mavenir and Iridium gear up for the rollout, industry experts are poised to monitor the impact on global satellite communications and IoT applications. This initiative is expected to redefine connectivity, making it more accessible and reliable for users worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Mavenir and Iridium prepare to usher in a new era of satellite communications.
