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Starnote for Iridium
Fully Global Satellite IoT Connectivity for Remote Deployments
Secure plug-and-play satellite failover using Iridium with no commitments. Designed for developers, trusted by enterprises.
Recently announced at The Things Conference in Amsterdam, Starnote for Iridium is entering beta and will be in production in early 2026.
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Fully Global Satellite Failover for IoT Devices
Starnote for Iridium is a companion product to the Notecard, providing backup satellite connectivity to your cellular-connected IoT product.
Starnote for Iridium is designed for simplicity and just works, providing scalable, affordable satellite IoT with no carrier certification, user registrations, or commitments — speeding up prototyping for developers and streamlining large-scale enterprise deployments.
Designed for mission-critical applications such as industrial, energy and utilities, and logistics management, multiple Radio Access Technology ("RAT") connectivity gives you peace of mind that you can reliably access your remote device data in the cloud.
Starnote for Iridium + Notecard enables:
- Reliable bi-directional communication between device and cloud
- Real-time access to your devices data
- Secure over-the-air updates, DFU and enterprise fleet management with Notecard
- Easy integration with your device through M2 connectors
- Global coverage so your devices are always connected
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Discover Starnote for Iridium
Iridium’s unique polar-orbiting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation architecture makes it the only network that can keep low-cost IoT devices connected from anywhere on earth.
Each satellite is cross-linked wirelessly in space with up to four other satellites, forming a web of coverage around the planet that provides a reliable, weather-resilient, and low-latency connection.
For satellite failover in truly remote or potentially obstructed locations, Starnote for Iridium is an ideal solution.
Plug-and-Play Satellite Connectivity
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Simplified Development
With our plug-and-play JSON interface, you can access your data in hours, not weeks
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Complete Fleet Management
Blues makes it easy to route data to the cloud, quickly provision devices at scale, and manage all your assets
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Interchangeable Architecture
Our architecture gives you the freedom and flexibility to swap connectivity methods with minimal additional configuration
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Industry Leading Security
Notecard features robust security through encrypted “off the internet” communications and pre-loaded certificates for device authentication through our integrated secure element
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Easy Integration
Starnote for Iridium w Notecard; you interact with it through Notecard APIs and a JSON interface, making it easy to set up and use
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Power Efficient Hardware
Operate for years on a battery, and even extend battery life with sleep mode, which can wake up on sensor events
Fast-Track Your Connectivity Journey with Blues
Blues products provide a robust solution for secure, reliable, and energy-efficient communication between device and cloud. Get started in five easy steps.
Choose your Connectivity
Choose from cellular, WiFi, satellite, Lora, or a combination of radio access technologies to wirelessly connect to your device.
Build Your Device with Notecard
When you build your device, include a Notecard. A low-power, system-on-module that enables wireless communication between your device and the cloud.
Configure Your Device with Notehub
Using Notehub, our cloud orchestration layer, you can configure your device and update your device remotely.
Securely Access Your Data
Notecard sends your device data to Notehub using encrypted, off-internet channels. You can access your data as single JSON packets.
Use Your Cloud Platform of Choice
From Notehub, send your data to any major cloud or analytics platform you choose with a low-code implementation.
FAQs
Yes, the Iridium network provides satellite connectivity anywhere on Earth, including oceans, deserts, and remote regions where cellular networks don’t reach. For best performance, your device should have a clear view of the sky. Indoor use is limited because satellites require a line-of-sight to the antenna.
Yes. IoT devices that only need to send a few kilobytes of data per day can be powered for months or years on a small battery or supplemented with a solar panel. Designing around power efficiency, such as sleeping the device between transmissions, makes satellite IoT practical for remote deployments.
Satellite data is more expensive than cellular, but it’s priced for low-bandwidth IoT applications where only small amounts of data need to be sent. Instead of gigabytes, most satellite IoT applications transmit just a few bytes per message. This keeps operating costs predictable and affordable, especially for deployments in places where cellular isn’t an option.
Starnote for Iridium is an affordable way to add satellite failover to your wireless connected device. It does not require a commitment to a minimum monthly data usage.
By eliminating the need for costly contracts through a predictable, transparent pricing model free of subscription fees or minimum monthly commitments.
Satellite IoT is designed for reliability, not speed. Data packets may take several seconds to minutes to reach their destination. This makes it ideal for sensor readings, alerts, and status updates, but not for streaming or real-time applications.
If your device is in a fixed location with a clear line of sight to the sky, there will always be an Iridium satellite within reach. Using Starnote for Iridium, the satellites are constantly moving overhead. Usually, this means your device will have at least one satellite in view, but this may cause brief interruptions. If a satellite isn’t in view, your device can store the message and automatically transmit when a connection becomes available. This store-and-forward approach ensures your data gets delivered reliably, even if coverage is intermittent.
Yes. Many IoT solutions use a hybrid approach. Starnote for Iridium is designed to enable satellite failover for devices relying on cellular or WiFi, where coverage is strong, and switching to satellite as a backup in remote areas. This ensures continuous connectivity without overpaying for satellite when cheaper networks are available.
Starnote for Iridium is ideal for industries where reliable data connectivity is needed in remote or hard-to-reach areas. For example, logistics companies can track shipments across oceans or rural supply routes. Oil and gas operators can monitor equipment in offshore or desert environments. Environmental agencies can collect sensor data from remote conservation zones. Maritime companies can maintain vessel tracking and condition monitoring while at sea.
No - Starnote for Iridium is designed to be developer-friendly and enterprise-ready. Its simple JSON-based interface means developers don’t need advanced satellite communications expertise to get started. The device is plug-and-play, enabling prototypes to be built in minutes. For enterprises, Starnote for Iridium integrates directly with Notehub, allowing secure data routing to the cloud without custom infrastructure. This makes Starnote for Iridium equally useful for engineers building new IoT devices and business leaders scaling global operations - no specialized satellite skills required.