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Iridium, Deutsche Telekom IoT and Toyota Demonstrate Satellite Voice Messaging

2 companies named across 2 categories, one of 14 articles referencing Deutsche Telekom. Previous coverage: European network operators in talks to form consortium to bid for EU satellite spectrum and provide D2M service (Sep 2026).

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Iridium Communications Inc., Deutsche Telekom IoT, and Toyota completed and demonstrated a roaming-linked satellite voice messaging test using Iridium NTN Direct. The companies said the trial transmitted a voice message from a vehicle over Iridium’s satellite network, which reflects a path to connectivity when terrestrial networks are unavailable.

Iridium and Deutsche Telekom IoT also completed the technical integration and a global roaming agreement between Iridium and Deutsche Telekom IoT. The organizations said Deutsche Telekom IoT customers would be able to take advantage of commercial availability of Iridium NTN Direct in Q4 2026.

The demonstration used Iridium NTN Direct and transmitted voice messaging via Iridium’s satellite network. The first message, “testing, testing, one, two, freeway,” was described as standards-based NB-IoT voice messaging over Iridium’s fully operational low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Fraunhofer’s AI-based NESC® Voice Codec supported the messaging, and the companies said NESC operates at bitrates of 1 kb/s or less.

In the test, the message was sent from a Toyota vehicle equipped with a Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 development board and a Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM, during Telekom Satellite Day 2026. “The voice message sent over our network from a Toyota vehicle illustrates how Iridium NTN Direct will enhance consumer and commercial applications for people and assets operating outside traditional coverage areas,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “We are very pleased to support this Automotive NTN Voice PoC by providing Fraunhofer's innovative AI-based NESC Voice Codec,” said Manfred Lutzky, Head of the Communications Audio Department at Fraunhofer IIS.

Forward-looking statements in the release included statements regarding the capabilities, benefits and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service.

Press release, provided by Cision on behalf of Iridium Communications. Read the original.