---
title: "Altair embeds Iridium satellite connectivity into ALT1350 and ALT1550 chipsets: global IoT without a separate modem"
description: "Altair Semiconductor has integrated the Iridium NTN Direct satellite service into its ALT1350 and ALT1550 chipsets, combining terrestrial cellular and global satellite channels on a single die for IoT devices."
date: 2026-10-18T11:43:27.772Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/altair-iridium-ntn-direct-chips-global-iot
tags: [altair-semiconductor, iridium-ntn-direct, iot-chipset, satellite-communication, 5g-redcap, nb-iot]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Altair embeds Iridium satellite connectivity into ALT1350 and ALT1550 chipsets: global IoT without a separate modem

![A person in a black glove holds the Altair ALT1350 chipset against the backdrop of a digital Earth model with a satellite network](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/altair-iridium-ntn-direct-chips-global-iot/altair-iridium-ntn-direct-chips-global-iot-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Altair Semiconductor has combined terrestrial LTE-M/NB-IoT cellular and Iridium NTN Direct satellite channels on a single die for the first time in the ALT1350 and ALT1550 chipsets
- The solution eliminates the need for a separate satellite modem, reducing cost and power consumption for IoT devices
- ALT1350 targets logistics, telematics, and industrial monitoring; ALT1550 with 5G eRedCAP targets AI devices and wearable gadgets
- Iridium NTN Direct uses a fully deployed low-Earth orbit constellation and supports NB-IoT and D2D standards for 3GPP-compliant chipsets

Altair Semiconductor has announced the integration of the Iridium NTN Direct satellite service into its ALT1350 and ALT1550 chipset platforms. According to the manufacturer, terrestrial cellular connectivity of the LTE-M and NB-IoT standards and the global Iridium satellite channel have been combined on a single die for the first time. This solution eliminates the need for IoT device manufacturers to install a separate satellite modem, simplifying the design, reducing costs, and lowering the power consumption of the final product.

### Two chipsets for different tasks

The ultra-low-power ALT1350 platform is targeted at a wide range of tasks: asset tracking, logistics, smart resource metering, utilities, agriculture, transport telematics, industrial monitoring, and remote infrastructure. The higher-performance ALT1550 supports the 5G eRedCAP standard and is designed for a new generation of AI-enabled devices and wearable gadgets that require stable connectivity anywhere on the planet, including areas not covered by terrestrial networks.

### Technological foundation of Iridium NTN Direct

The Iridium NTN Direct satellite service relies on the fully deployed Iridium low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and globally coordinated L-band spectrum. The service supports NB-IoT and Device-to-Device (D2D) direct connectivity standards for 3GPP-compliant chipsets, ensuring continuity with the existing cellular technology ecosystem and simplifying manufacturer migration to hybrid solutions.

### Industry evaluation and ecosystem prospects

“Integrating Iridium NTN Direct into Altair's chipsets will enable solutions that require reliable, low-power connectivity beyond terrestrial networks,” said Tim Last, Senior Vice President at Iridium. Altair is joining a growing ecosystem of partners bringing the Iridium NTN Direct service to market. Combining two communication channels on a single die paves the way for the mass production of compact IoT terminals capable of operating in environments where traditional cellular infrastructure is unavailable—from polar regions to deep-sea and aviation use cases.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Altair встроила спутниковую связь Iridium в чипы: глобальный IoT без дополнительного модема](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/10/17/altair-vstroila-sputnikovuiu-sviaz-iridium-v-cipy-globalnyi-iot-bez-dopolnitelnogo-modema.html) - Primary source: full text of the announcement featuring Tim Last's quote, description of ALT1350/ALT1550, and the technological basis of Iridium NTN Direct. Publication date: October 17, 2026.
- [Altair встроила спутниковую связь Iridium в чипы](https://runet.news/news/84268) - Reprint of IXBT News material with identical content: integration of Iridium NTN Direct, chipset specifications, Iridium EVP quote. No discrepancies with the primary source were found.

## FAQ

### What is Iridium NTN Direct and how does it work?

Iridium NTN Direct is a satellite service based on Iridium's fully deployed low-Earth orbit constellation, utilizing the globally coordinated L-band. It supports NB-IoT and Device-to-Device (D2D) direct connectivity standards for 3GPP-compliant chipsets, allowing IoT devices to communicate directly with satellites without terrestrial infrastructure.

### What is the practical benefit of combining cellular and satellite connectivity on a single chip?

Device manufacturers no longer need a separate satellite modem. This simplifies the design, reduces the device's cost and power consumption, and decreases board dimensions. The device automatically switches between the terrestrial LTE-M/NB-IoT network and the satellite channel depending on availability.

### What devices will use the ALT1350 and ALT1550?

The ultra-low-power ALT1350 is designed for asset tracking, logistics, smart metering, utilities, agriculture, transport telematics, industrial monitoring, and remote infrastructure. The ALT1550 with 5G eRedCAP support is focused on AI devices and wearable gadgets that require connectivity anywhere in the world.