Iridium’s satellite network operations center (SNOC). Photo: Iridium

[Via Satellite 07-25-2014] In preparation for Iridium’s next generation constellation Iridium NEXT, the company has issued more than 30 Request for Proposals (RFPs) to build new broadband subscriber products. Iridium anticipates providing speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps to commercial, government and safety communications users with the new constellation in place.

The first products designed by partner companies are scheduled for release by 2016. Iridium said it would decide on an unspecified number of RFP’s by the end of 2014. The new products will work interoperable with the original constellation as well as Iridium NEXT.

The RFPs for new broadband subscriber products target aviation, maritime and land mobile markets. Iridium said industry partners would distribute the new products.