Satellite communications giant Iridium has announced a partnership with Amazon’s Web Services arm to launch a globe-spanning cloud-powered communications network for the Internet of Things (IoT): Iridium CloudConnect.

Based on Iridium’s constellation of 66 cross-linked communications satellites, Iridium CloudConnect ties the company’s satellites into the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platform – meaning that it’s possible to build AWS-powered IoT services with live communication anywhere on the globe, the company claims, including the 80 percent of the planet not currently served by traditional cellular connectivity.

“Iridium CloudConnect will completely change the speed at which a satellite IoT solution can be deployed and will allow existing AWS customers to keep everything the same on the back end, while opening up the opportunity to quickly expand their coverage,” claims Iridium chief executive Matt Desch of his company’s new product. “This is a major disruption for satellite IoT. Costs will drop, time to market will speed up, risk will be reduced, and AWS IoT customers that choose Iridium CloudConnect can now enjoy true global connectivity for their solutions.”

CloudConnect is based on Iridium’s existing IoT communications platform, which boasts around 630,000 active devices at present. The new global version will go live some time in 2019, the company has promised, with more information available on the company’s IoT microsite.