WASHINGTON — Mobile satellite services operator Iridium Communications has signed a partnership agreement with telematics solutions provider Appareo Systems LLC to provide machine-to-machine communications services globally via the Iridium satellite constellation, McLean, Virginia-based Iridium said Jan. 28.

As part of the agreement, Appareo of Fargo, North Dakota, will install Iridium chipsets into its products and solutions in markets including agriculture, forestry, aviation and construction, Iridium said. The chipsets will be compatible with the 66-satellite Iridium Next constellation slated to start launching this year to replace Iridium’s existing satellites.

“Global connectivity, with no compromises on coverage, latency and connectivity is becoming more and more critical in the industries we serve. This partnership will ensure Appareo solutions serve our current and future customers with the furthest reaching technology,” Jeff Johnson, Appareo’s vice president of business development, said in a prepared statement.

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Warren Ferster is the Editor-in-Chief of SpaceNews and is responsible for all the news and editorial coverage in the weekly newspaper, the spacenews.com Web site and variety of specialty publications such as show dailies. He manages a staff of seven reporters...