[Satellite TODAY 05-10-10] Iridium Communications is rolling out its Iridium 9602 satellite data transceiver to market a month ahead of schedule and is accepting orders, the company announced May 7.
    The lightweight short burst data transceiver embeds into partner-developed products and systems that enable remote machine-to-machine asset tracking and monitoring. The Iridium 9602 aims to provide reliable, real-time critical communications services similar to what will be offered through its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium Next. Iridium has been developing the two-way device for two years.
     “The number of low data rate mobile satellite services (MSS) devices is projected to double between now and the end of 2013. With this growth … the M2M market represents a significant opportunity for Iridium,” TMF Associates President and Analyst Tim Farrar said in a statement.