ORBCOMM
ORBCOMM is a private industrial IoT platform that delivers hybrid satellite-cellular connectivity and smart container solutions to maritime, transportation, logistics, and heavy equipment operators, managing 2.9M+ connected devices across 160+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersRochelle Park, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What ORBCOMM does
ORBCOMM is a global industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform founded in 1993 that provides asset visibility, monitoring, and connectivity solutions across maritime, transportation, logistics, cold chain, and heavy equipment sectors. The company combines proprietary satellite communications with cellular connectivity through its OGx satellite network and the SKYWAVE brand, complemented by its VIACHAIN cargo visibility platform, and manages more than 2.9 million connected devices across more than 160 countries. ORBCOMM claims to be the only provider to have enabled more than one million smart containers globally, with six of the world's top ten shipping lines as customers and over 600,000 reefer containers continuously tracked since 2007.
The technology stack is anchored by purpose-built hardware devices (CT 1000, GT 1220, GT 1230, ST 4000, SC 1000, and CT 1010) integrated with software platforms that address remote-area connectivity gaps, cold chain compliance, and end-to-end container visibility. The OGx satellite network enhancement, launched in 2025, enables larger and faster messages at lower cost, while the CrewView onboard solution, launched in June 2025, allows vessel crews to monitor smart refrigerated and dry containers in real time at sea. In November 2025, S&P Global completed the acquisition of ORBCOMM's Automatic Identification System (AIS) data business and simultaneously took a strategic equity stake in the residual ORBCOMM.
Revenue is generated through a combination of one-time hardware device sales and recurring subscription services for connectivity, platform access, and monitoring — quote-based annual enterprise pricing dominates, with channel/marketplace pricing for hardware. The company is privately held by GI Partners since a 2021 take-private transaction, and operates through 13+ wholly-owned subsidiaries spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America with approximately 800 employees in 25 countries. In April 2026, ORBCOMM completed a $460 million debt refinancing with Carlyle, Bain Credit's Private Credit Group, and Morgan Stanley Private Credit, replacing all publicly-traded debt and providing additional committed undrawn capital for growth investment.
ORBCOMM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ORBCOMM
- Legal name
- ORBCOMM Inc.
- Website
- https://orbcomm.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- ORBCOMM is a private industrial IoT platform that delivers hybrid satellite-cellular connectivity and smart container solutions to maritime, transportation, logistics, and heavy equipment operators, managing 2.9M+ connected devices across 160+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ORBCOMM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial IoT Asset Tracking and Connectivity
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite IoT & Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Connectivity (LPWAN over Satellite) (HDAIAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Asset Tracking, RTLS & Industrial Visibility (IMAIAMAE), Cellular IoT/M2M Gateways & Routers (LTE/5G) (HDAFAIAF), IoT Connectivity Management (Private APN, SIM/eSIM, Device Connectivity) (HDAIAGAG), Industrial Connectivity & Networks (5G/LPWAN/TSN/Industrial Ethernet) (IMAIAMAH)
Keywords
Where ORBCOMM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochelle Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
ORBCOMM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Hardware Device Sales: Sale of tracking devices and sensors including CT 1000, GT 1220, GT 1230, ST 4000, and other IoT hardware products for trailers, containers, and industrial assets.
- Subscription Services: Recurring subscription services for satellite and cellular connectivity, platform access, and monitoring services. The company manages 2.9M+ connected devices worldwide indicating a large subscription base.
- Software Platform Services: Cloud-based platform services providing data analytics, reporting, and asset management capabilities for connected devices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise subscription pricing for satellite IoT services |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hardware devices (CT 1000, GT 1220, GT 1230) available through Geotab Marketplace |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
ORBCOMM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ORBCOMM is a global industrial IoT provider that designs, manufactures, and operates connected hardware devices, satellite-cellular connectivity, and cloud-based software platforms for real-time asset tracking, monitoring, and supply chain visibility. The company sells tracking hardware (CT 1000, GT 1220, GT 1230, CT 1010, SC 1000, ST 4000) along with subscription connectivity and platform services under the VIACHAIN and SKYWAVE brands to maritime, transportation, logistics, and heavy equipment customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VIACHAIN: Intelligent cargo visibility solution that helps reduce spoilage, combat cargo theft and simplify compliance with supply chain IoT technology.
- SKYWAVE
Products and services
- CT 1000, GT 1220, GT 1230 Smart Trailer Trackers
- CT 1010 Container Monitoring Device
- SC 1000 Native Satellite Tracker
- ST 4000 Hybrid Satellite-Cellular Module
- OGx Satellite IoT Service
- CrewView Onboard Visibility Solution
- VIACHAIN Intelligent Cargo Visibility Platform
- SKYWAVE Hybrid Satellite-Cellular Connectivity Platform
- Cold Chain Monitoring Solution
- Smart Container Solutions
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 600,000 refrigerated containers tracked since 2007
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ORBCOMM
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ORBCOMM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ORBCOMM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Docomap JapancoreDocomap Japan, ZF Japan, and Koshidatech began offering the docomapTrailer service through collaboration. ORBCOMM provides GPS services for trailers that do not require power supply, addressing a specific market need in Japan.
- Autonomy and Asset Management Group (AAMG)coreAAMG joined ORBCOMM's SKYWAVE Connect partner program as the first member of its Ascent track, providing enhanced technical, sales and marketing support along with early access to new products. AAMG specializes in IoT solutions for mining industry, enabling remote management of water pumps, vehicles, and lighting towers.
- GeotabcorePartnership to deliver connected fleet management solutions on the MyGeotab platform. ORBCOMM's CT 1000, GT 1220, and GT 1230 smart trailer trackers are available for purchase through Geotab's Order Now marketplace. Combined entity manages over 600,000 transportation assets across North America.
- ZF JapancorePartnership with ZF Japan as part of the docomapTrailer service collaboration for GPS tracking solutions for trailers in Japan market.
- KoshidatechcorePartnership with Koshidatech as part of the docomapTrailer service collaboration for GPS tracking solutions for trailers in Japan market.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ORBCOMM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Digi International: Provides cellular and wireless IoT routers, gateways, and subscription connectivity for industrial and enterprise applications. Highly comparable to ORBCOMM's SKYWAVE and cellular device business and recurring connectivity model.
- u-blox: Designs positioning and wireless modules (cellular, short-range) for industrial IoT and asset tracking. Comparable to ORBCOMM's hardware portfolio with similar target customers in fleet, industrial, and tracking applications.
- Iridium Communications: Global satellite IoT/M2M operator serving asset tracking, maritime, and industrial customers with its own L-band constellation. Directly comparable to ORBCOMM in satellite-based IoT connectivity and target verticals.
- Telit Cinterion: Supplies cellular IoT modules, platforms, and managed connectivity for industrial and asset tracking use cases. Overlaps with ORBCOMM's device portfolio, connectivity subscriptions, and vertical SaaS approach.
- Semtech (Sierra Wireless): Acquired Sierra Wireless to combine LoRa hardware with cellular IoT modules and managed connectivity. Competes with ORBCOMM in IoT modules, gateways, and subscription-based connectivity for industrial assets.
Broad incumbents
- Trimble: Provides transportation, logistics, and asset visibility technology across trucking, rail, and supply chain. Competes with ORBCOMM in fleet and supply chain visibility but operates as a much larger, diversified platform.
- Honeywell: Operates broad industrial IoT, building automation, and supply chain visibility solutions. Overlaps with ORBCOMM in connected supply chain and asset monitoring while serving as the former employer of ORBCOMM's CEO and CTO.
- Viasat (Inmarsat): Operates global satellite networks including legacy Inmarsat services for maritime, aviation, and IoT. A broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities in maritime IoT connectivity that competes with ORBCOMM's OGx network.
Emerging players
- Samsara: Cloud-based fleet management and IoT sensor platform with strong traction in transportation and logistics. An emerging cloud-native competitor to ORBCOMM's trailer and asset visibility offerings, though more software-led.
- Geotab: Fleet management platform and marketplace where ORBCOMM's CT 1000, GT 1220, and GT 1230 are sold. A close partner but also an adjacent competitor expanding into trailer and asset visibility, creating channel overlap with ORBCOMM.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ORBCOMM social profiles
Digital presenceORBCOMM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ORBCOMM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ORBCOMM subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
ORBCOMM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ORBCOMM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A7 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ORBCOMM
What does ORBCOMM do?
ORBCOMM is a global industrial IoT provider that designs, manufactures, and operates connected hardware devices, satellite-cellular connectivity, and cloud-based software platforms for real-time asset tracking, monitoring, and supply chain visibility. The company sells tracking hardware (CT 1000, GT 1220, GT 1230, CT 1010, SC 1000, ST 4000) along with subscription connectivity and platform services under the VIACHAIN and SKYWAVE brands to maritime, transportation, logistics, and heavy equipment customers.
Is ORBCOMM a public or private company?
ORBCOMM is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was ORBCOMM founded?
ORBCOMM was founded in 1993. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is ORBCOMM based?
ORBCOMM is headquartered in Rochelle Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does ORBCOMM make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Device Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription Services and software Platform Services.
Who are ORBCOMM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Digi International, u-blox, Iridium Communications, Telit Cinterion and Semtech (Sierra Wireless). Broad incumbents are Trimble, Honeywell and Viasat (Inmarsat). Emerging players are Samsara and Geotab.
Does ORBCOMM have an API?
No public API is recorded for ORBCOMM.
What industry is ORBCOMM in?
ORBCOMM's product category is Industrial IoT Asset Tracking and Connectivity. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAF, Satellite IoT & Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Connectivity (LPWAN over Satellite), with a secondary code of IMAIAMAE, Asset Tracking, RTLS & Industrial Visibility. Its NAICS code is 51741 and its SIC code is 3576.