Network Infrastructure
PR Newswire | January 12, 2024
Iridium Communications Inc., a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced Project Stardust, the evolution of its direct-to-device (D2D) strategy with 3GPP 5G standards-based Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) Non-Terrestrial Network (NB-NTN) service development. As a new standards-based solution, it will be deployed on Iridium's existing satellite network giving the company a unique ability to offer both high-quality proprietary and standardized D2D and IoT services to its customers.
The early stages of programming Iridium's low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites offers a special opportunity to smartphone companies, OEMs, chipmakers, mobile network operators (MNO) and related IoT developers to have their requirements woven into the fabric of the Iridium® network. Iridium is already collaborating directly with several of these companies.
"This is an exciting moment for Iridium and is a testament to the flexibility and capability built into our satellite constellation," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "The industry is moving quickly towards a more standards-based approach, and after surveying the field, we found that we're the best positioned to lead the way using our own network, particularly given our true global coverage."
Iridium is designing its initial NB-IoT offering to support 5G NTN messaging and SOS capabilities for smartphones, tablets, cars, and related consumer applications. Adopting the service will enable device manufacturers to add a satellite connection to standardized devices, take advantage of existing, globally allocated and coordinated Iridium spectrum, and provide a superior low-latency LEO user experience. The Iridium network supports approximately 1,300 SOS and emergency (911 or equivalent) incidents per year, around the world and has readily available systems, processes, and partners to implement this capability for new devices.
Iridium understands the market need for its customers to develop and certify products quickly. Applying our established onboarding processes, chipmakers and NB-IoT developers can join Iridium's ecosystem of about 500 partners, and choose a proprietary, standards-based, or dual-solution integration approach for added network redundancy. MNOs will have the opportunity to be a one-stop shop for ubiquitous coverage and off-grid use cases, with unmatched industry reliability. Iridium partners are supported by a 24/7 customer support, back office, billing, and provisioning system, all ready to support the new service upon launch.
The Iridium satellite constellation's fully crosslinked, LEO architecture and global L-band spectrum provides a competitive service advantage versus other LEO and geostationary satellite networks. Certified to provide safety of life services by international regulatory bodies, the Iridium network has become the gold standard of reliability and continues to be the only network that provides connectivity everywhere on Earth. Operating in LEO, the Iridium constellation does not suffer from the same line-of-sight limitations, significant power requirements or outages that can affect entire regions from a single satellite as faced by geostationary systems.
The recognized leader in satellite IoT and personal communications, Iridium has more than two decades of experience and an unmatched partner ecosystem supporting more than 2.2 million users around the world. As of the third quarter of 2023, Iridium subscribers have grown at a 15% CAGR over the last five years, and the company serves approximately 1.7 million IoT customers today, including about 900,000 personal trackers and satellite messengers for consumer, enterprise, and government applications. Known for its reliability, coverage, and low power requirements, the Iridium network is an ideal fit for NB-IoT NTN service.
The company is currently working with several D2D and IoT-focused companies to understand and incorporate their use cases, requirements, and end-user needs into its planned service. The company anticipates testing to begin in 2025, with service in 2026.
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 2019, the company completed a generational upgrade of its satellite network and launched its specialty broadband service, Iridium Certus®. 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.
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Network Management
Business Wire | October 19, 2023
Vercara, a leading provider of cloud-based services that secure the online experience, is introducing UltraDNS TLD, a global anycast network that provides Top Level Domain (TLD) DNS services to help customers meet high availability and redundancy demands, as well as regulatory compliance standards.
UltraDNS TLD is a cloud-based solution that ensures business continuity and optimum availability for TLDs, providing fast, reliable query responses through a global network of 47 nodes.
We have successfully delivered these services to a select set of customers for over a decade, and we’re thrilled to now launch this product to a wider market, said Carlos Morales, senior vice president of solutions at Vercara. We have designed this offering to meet a growing need for better security and availability within the industry, building upon our deep experience. Not only is this a crucial step in strengthening the UltraDNS product line by including TLD support, but it also furthers Vercara’s broader, collaborative goal of securing every online interaction.
Customers can also depend on UltraDNS TLD for compliance with Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Registry and Registrar TLD standards. UltraDNS TLD and Vercara network provisioning meet all TLD ICANN requirements. With full visibility on the platform, users will be able to see both queries and regulatory reports sent to ICANN.
This solution can be used alongside an existing network to provide redundancy or customers can take advantage of UltraDNS TLD2. UltraDNS TLD2 is a fully redundant solution that consists of two distinct networks working together to provide TLD nameserver resolution with location, network, transit, and operational redundancy. The combined networks ensure that TLDs will reliably respond to queries in the event of local outages or degradation, providing uninterrupted service. These fully redundant networks can work together seamlessly, managed through a single pane of glass.
“Availability is the singular, most important thing for TLDs, and UltraDNS TLD provides just that,” said Jose Ernesto Grimaldo, Registry Manager at NIC Mexico. “As a longtime customer of Vercara, we have been fortunate to leverage this solution that not only provides assurance that our digital infrastructure is always reachable, but also solves for pain points when it comes to regulatory compliance.”
For more information about UltraDNS TLD, please visit: https://vercara.com/top-level-domain-dns
About Vercara
Vercara is a purpose-built, global, cloud-based security platform that provides layers of protection to safeguard businesses’ online presence, no matter where attacks originate or where they are aimed. Delivering the industry’s highest-performing solutions and supported by unparalleled 24/7 human expertise and hands-on guidance, top global brands depend on Vercara to protect their networks and applications against threats and downtime. Vercara’s suite of cloud-based services is secure, reliable, and available, delivering peace of mind and ensuring that businesses and their customers experience exceptional interactions all day, every day. Pressure-tested in the world’s most tightly regulated and high-traffic verticals, Vercara’s mission-critical security portfolio provides best-in-class DNS and application and network security (including DDoS and WAF) services to its Global 5000 customers and beyond. For more information, visit vercara.com.
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Network Infrastructure
Business Wire | October 17, 2023
IP Infusion, a leading provider of open network software and solutions for wireline and mobile network operators, today announced a strategic partnership with NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services leader. NTT DATA and IP Infusion are collaborating for go-to-market open networking solutions to bring enhanced disaggregation, scalability, and choices to network operators.
NTT DATA (part of NTT Group) is a global innovator of IT and business services headquartered in Tokyo that offers consulting, industry solutions, business process services, IT modernization and managed services. NTT DATA will offer IP Infusion Cell Site Routers, Routed Optical Networking, Aggregation Router and Data Center software products, including bundled solutions, on a broad portfolio of white box hardware.
This collaboration for expanding broad connectivity was initiated by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), including TIP solutions for Disaggregated Cell Site Gateways (DCSG) or Cell Site Routers and Cassini for Routed Optical Networking projects. Both NTT DATA and IP Infusion are members of TIP, which is driving development and deployment of open, disaggregated, and standards-based technology solutions to advance global connectivity.
“We are deeply committed to accelerating network disaggregation throughout our global ecosystem of customers and partners,” said Teodoro López Palacios, Partner, Telecom Sector at NTT DATA Europe & LATAM. “IP Infusion is a proven leader in open networking, providing award-winning and field-tested solutions that reduce total cost of ownership while expanding services. We are excited to help propel innovation, greater access, and better network outcomes to more users.”
“The systems integrator role is important for the TIP community, and the IP Infusion and NTT DATA alliance is a big step forward for bringing disaggregated solutions to a diverse range of use cases,” said Kristian Toivo, Executive Director of Telecom Infra Project. “NTT DATA and IP Infusion have long demonstrated deep expertise in open network solutions and this collaboration will help create a stronger, more flexible supply chain, supporting high-quality connectivity.”
We are pleased to partner with NTT DATA to drive further market penetration for open networking, said Atsushi Ogata, President and CEO of IP Infusion. It’s great to be working with NTT DATA, a trusted global innovator for business IT solutions, which clearly understands the powerful potential of network disaggregation. We are proud to be furthering TIP’s ideals for expanding open networks and paving the way for a connected future.
Along with this partnership with NTT DATA, IP Infusion continues to receive acclaim for its products and services. This spring, leading independent global provider of technology industry insights GigaOm designated IP Infusion as Leader and Outperformer for the third consecutive year in all three of its 2023 Network Operating System Radar Reports. The IP Infusion software platform was identified as the most complete of the more than 20 NOS vendors GigaOm analysts evaluated, outperforming incumbent providers including Cisco and Juniper.
In addition, TIP recognized IP Infusion’s Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway (DCSG) solution with the TIP Validated Solution Gold Badge in 2022. IP Infusion’s software was recognized for satisfying the stringent requirements set by the TIP Open Optical Packet Transport Project (OOPT) group for the DCSG.
About IP Infusion
IP Infusion manufactures open network software and solutions for carriers, service providers and data centers. With hundreds of customers and thousands of deployments, IP Infusion is a market leader in Network Operating Systems. Our flagship software platform OcNOS® allows network operators to disaggregate their networks, streamline operations, and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Network OEMs may also disaggregate network devices to expedite time to market, offer comprehensive services, and achieve carrier grade robustness.
IP Infusion is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. Additional information can be found at http://www.IPInfusion.com.
IP Infusion and OcNOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of IP Infusion. ACCESS is a registered trademark or trademark of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan and/or other countries. Northforge Innovations is a registered trademark of Northforge Innovations, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
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