SpaceX’s Starlink may be all the rage in the satellite internet sector, but the company Iridium is responding to consumer needs by launching a new device that offers satellite connectivity on the go.
The Iridium Go Exec is essentially a mobile hotspot that can connect to the 66 satellites the company has in orbit. But unlike a Starlink dish, the Go Exec is small enough that it can fit in a backpack. Weighing in at 2.6 pounds, the device also features a built-in battery, which can offer 6 hours of use or 24 hours of standby time.
On Tuesday, Iridium launched the product, which can connect with up to four devices. But the Go Exec isn’t cheap. The company’s resellers are currently offering it for $1,599, and that’s only for the hardware. The monthly data plans for a Go Exec start at $129 and go up to $499 while offering at the most 250GB of data.
In contrast, a subscriber only needs to pay $599 for a residential Starlink dish and $110 for the monthly internet, which can reach 100Mbps or higher. However, Iridium still expects its own product to attract users, thanks to its portability.
“Clearly, Starlink is a very capable product and service. It’s fulfilling a need in the marketplace today,” said Iridium Executive Vice President Bryan Hartin. “But Iridium Go Exec is much more portable. It’s a great companion to your smartphone, your tablet, your laptop.”
In an email, Iridium Executive Director for Communications Jordan Hassin also said the new product wasn't designed to replace Starlink. "You have Starlink on your boat, or with your camper, but if you’re going off on a hike or fishing or flying, the Go Exec is easy to carry along with you to stay connected," he added. "Starlink is a Ka/Ku band high speed internet service. We’re an L-band weather-resilient portable service."
The product also represents an upgrade to the company’s earlier Iridium Go model, which was introduced back in 2014 and is currently available for $799. One of its main limitations was how it was largely restricted to voice calls, emails, and text messages.
The new Go Exec version, on the other hand, has been improved to enable light web browsing, Twitter access, and messaging over apps such as WhatsApp. The speeds have also been upgraded: Users can now expect to receive download speeds at 88Kbps, and upload speeds at 22Kbps when the original Iridium Go device featured speeds at 2.4Kbps.
“A one MB picture can be uploaded in about 6 minutes, and can be downloaded in about 90 seconds,” the company said. The Go Exec also includes a touch screen, speakerphone, and microphone while featuring an Ethernet port, and two USB-C slots so that it can act as a powerbank and charge your devices.
Owning a Go Exec means you can use it virtually anywhere to receive internet access, as long as the device’s antenna has a clear view of the sky. In addition, the product can be deployed indoors once connected to an external antenna. It can also be used on planes and boats.
Although Iridium is touting the Go Exec’s portability over Starlink, the company may not hold that edge for long. Last year, SpaceX revealed it’s working on its own mobile version of Starlink and hinted it’ll arrive as a portable device.