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Upturn AI SWOT - About
IRDM 
Iridium Communications Inc (IRDM)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/17/2025: IRDM (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
9 Analysts rated it
Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.
1 Year Target Price $33.38
1 Year Target Price $33.38
| 6 | Strong Buy |
| 2 | Buy |
| 1 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -50.3% | Avg. Invested days 28 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/17/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.93B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 18.16 | 1Y Target Price 33.38 |
Price to earnings Ratio 18.16 | 1Y Target Price 33.38 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 9 | Beta 0.78 | 52 Weeks Range 16.94 - 35.03 | Updated Date 09/16/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 16.94 - 35.03 | Updated Date 09/16/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.08% | Basic EPS (TTM) 1 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 13.2% | Operating Margin (TTM) 23.17% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 5.22% | Return on Equity (TTM) 17.96% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 18.16 | Forward PE 12.53 | Enterprise Value 3659011029 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.25 |
Enterprise Value 3659011029 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.25 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.27 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.64 | Shares Outstanding 106114000 | Shares Floating 92992932 |
Shares Outstanding 106114000 | Shares Floating 92992932 | ||
Percent Insiders 12.52 | Percent Institutions 94.89 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Iridium Communications Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Iridium Communications Inc. was founded in 1991 as a Motorola project. It faced bankruptcy in the late 1990s but was resurrected by a private investment group. Iridium provides satellite communications services globally, enabling voice and data connectivity where terrestrial options are unavailable.
Core Business Areas
- Commercial Services: Provides voice and data services to businesses, governments, and individuals, including maritime, aviation, and land-based customers. Core to this segment is also M2M IOT connectivity.
- Government Services: Offers specialized communication solutions to the U.S. government and other international governmental entities, often with secure communication needs.
- Equipment: Sales of satellite phones, modems, and other related equipment needed to access the Iridium network.
- Engineering and Support: Provides engineering and support services to customize solutions for customers.
Leadership and Structure
Matt Desch is the CEO. The company has a board of directors and operates with functional departments such as sales, marketing, engineering, and finance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Iridium Certus: A broadband service providing high-speed data connectivity for maritime, land mobile, and aviation applications. Market share is growing in the maritime sector, competing with Inmarsat and VSAT providers. Number of users: Not publicly disclosed. Competitors: Inmarsat, VSAT providers (e.g., Hughes, Viasat).
- Iridium GO!: A portable device that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot using the Iridium network, enabling smartphone connectivity for voice, data, and messaging. Revenue is significant. Competitors: Thuraya SatSleeve, similar satellite-based portable connectivity devices.
- Satellite Phones: Handheld satellite phones for voice and messaging services. Stable revenue stream. Competitors: Thuraya, Globalstar.
- Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD): Low-bandwidth data service ideal for machine-to-machine (M2M) applications and tracking devices. Very strong market share in tracking and M2M. Competitors: Globalstar, Orbcomm.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The satellite communications industry is growing, driven by demand for connectivity in remote areas, IoT applications, and increasing reliance on satellite services for government and military operations.
Positioning
Iridium's key competitive advantage is its truly global coverage enabled by its constellation of 66 active satellites. It is well-positioned to serve niche markets requiring ubiquitous connectivity.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for satellite communications is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. Iridium is positioned to capture a significant share, focusing on its niche markets such as maritime, aviation, government, and IoT.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Global Coverage
- Reliable Network
- Strong Government Relationships
- Growing IOT Revenue
- Diverse Product Portfolio
Weaknesses
- Higher Service Costs Compared to Terrestrial Networks
- Limited Bandwidth Compared to Terrestrial Networks
- Susceptibility to Space Weather Events
- Reliance on Partner Network
Opportunities
- Expansion of IoT Applications
- Increased Demand for Maritime Connectivity
- Growth in Government Satellite Services
- Partnerships with Telecom Providers
- Integration with 5G Networks
Threats
- Competition from LEO Constellations (e.g., Starlink, OneWeb)
- Technological Advancements in Terrestrial Networks
- Economic Downturn Affecting Customer Spending
- Regulatory Changes
- Cybersecurity Threats
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- ORBC
- GLBL
- LORL
Competitive Landscape
Iridium's global coverage is a significant advantage. However, it faces competition from other satellite operators, as well as terrestrial networks in areas where they are available. Iridium competes on reliability, ubiquity, and specialized solutions.
Major Acquisitions
Satelles
- Year: 2023
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 115
- Strategic Rationale: To expand Iridium's capabilities in assured position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Iridium has experienced steady growth over the past decade, driven by expansion in its core markets and the introduction of new services like Iridium Certus.
Future Projections: Analysts project continued revenue and earnings growth for Iridium, driven by demand for its services in maritime, aviation, IoT, and government sectors.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expanding Iridium Certus capabilities, developing new IoT solutions, and strengthening partnerships with key customers.
Summary
Iridium Communications is a robust company with a unique strength in global satellite coverage. It leverages Iridium Certus and other IoT services for stable revenue growth. The company faces competition from terrestrial solutions and other LEO constellations, yet their strong government relationships and continuous innovation in niche markets allows them to grow revenue.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Iridium Communications Inc. Investor Relations
- Company Filings (SEC)
- Industry Reports
- Analyst Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and analyst estimates. It is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market conditions and company performance are subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Iridium Communications Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters McLean, VA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2008-03-20 | CEO & Director Mr. Matthew J. Desch | ||
Sector Communication Services | Industry Telecom Services | Full time employees 873 | Website https://www.iridium.com |
Full time employees 873 | Website https://www.iridium.com | ||
Iridium Communications Inc. provides mobile voice and data communications services and products to businesses, the United States and international governments, non-governmental organizations, and consumers worldwide. The company offers mobile satellite communications services for land mobile end users and aviation sectors; broadband terminals, embedded devices, and handsets for merchant shipping, fishing, leisure and research vessels, and specialized watercraft; satellite-based IoT services; hosted payload and other data services; and other data services and engineering services. It also provides postpaid mobile voice and data satellite communications; prepaid mobile voice satellite communications; push-to-talk; broadband data; Internet of Things (IoT); and satellite time and location services. In addition, the company offers personnel tracking devices; asset tracking devices for equipment, vehicles, and aircrafts; beyond-line-of-sight aircraft communications applications; maritime communications applications; specialized communications solutions for high-value individuals; and mobile communications and data devices for the military and other government agencies, such as secure satellite handsets; and maintenance services for the U.S. government's dedicated gateway. Further, it provides satellite handsets, voice and data modems, broadband data devices, and IoT data devices; and various accessories for its devices that include batteries, holsters, earbud headphones, portable auxiliary antennas, antenna adaptors, USB data cables, charging units, and others. The company sells its products and services to commercial end users through a wholesale distribution network that include service providers, and value-added resellers and manufacturers. The company was formerly known as Iridium Holdings LLC and changed its name to Iridium Communications Inc. in September 2009. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
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