The first mobile-originated message sent over the Iridium NTN Direct service read: “To Iridium and Beyond.”

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and PNT satellite services, today announced successful on-air testing of Iridium NTN Direct℠, including two-way message transmission over its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. This milestone marks a significant step forward as Iridium prepares for beta testing and commercial service of Iridium NTN Direct in 2026.

Iridium NTN Direct is being developed as the world’s first truly global, standards-based NB-IoT and direct-to-device (D2D) non-terrestrial network (NTN) service. With Iridium NTN Direct, mobile network operators (MNOs) can extend coverage beyond terrestrial networks, while chipset makers and device manufacturers can integrate standardized satellite capability into their products to support this expanded reach.

“Iridium NTN Direct is no longer a concept, it’s on the air, sending messages, and now being rigorously tested to meet our elite performance standards,” said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium. “This milestone reinforces why mobile network operators and chipset makers are engaging with Iridium. We offer a low-risk, globally coordinated, and operational network designed to complement what they do, not compete with what they do.”

The successful testing is leveraging new 5G waveform algorithms implemented on Iridium’s software-defined satellites, supporting the NB-IoT standards-based protocol defined by 3GPP. Activated via software update to the Iridium constellation, the first mobile-originated messages were transmitted using the low power nRF9151 LTE-M/NB-IoT/NTN module from Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low power wireless connectivity solutions, reflecting Iridium’s previously announced collaboration.

“This successful test proves that global connectivity is no longer limited by infrastructure – we can now deploy battery-powered connected devices anywhere, using a standard, low-power module such as Nordic’s nRF9151,” said Oyvind Birkenes, EVP Long-Range BU at Nordic Semiconductor. “Our roadmap is fully aligned with Iridium’s 2026 plans, and we are committed to accelerating mass-market adoption of standards-based, space-enabled IoT for everyone.”

Iridium NTN Direct is designed for a broad set of use cases in both consumer and industrial markets, including emergency and safety messaging, asset tracking, automotive and transportation monitoring, utilities, logistics, agriculture, and remote infrastructure maintenance. For MNOs, the service represents an incremental opportunity to eliminate coverage gaps, enhance subscriber retention, and unlock new revenue streams without the need to build or maintain additional terrestrial infrastructure. For chipset makers and OEMs, it enables a single, standards-based hardware platform capable of supporting global connectivity across both terrestrial and satellite networks.

Unlike regional or cellular spectrum-based satellite solutions, Iridium NTN Direct is designed to deliver 100% global coverage, leveraging the existing constellation that already supports mission-critical communications worldwide. This approach reduces technical, regulatory, and commercial barriers for partners, accelerating time to market.

Iridium plans to continue expanding on-air testing and partner integrations in the months ahead as it advances towards commercial availability of Iridium NTN Direct in 2026.

For more information about Iridium NTN Direct and how to start your path toward integration, visit www.iridium.com/ntn-direct.

About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium^® is the only mobile voice, data, and PNT satellite network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. In 2024, Iridium acquired Satelles and its positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the capabilities, benefits and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “to be” and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the development, marketing and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service, the company’s ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 13, 2025, and the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on October 23, 2025, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium’s expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

MAGOG, QC, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — My name is Julian Reusing, and I am the founder and owner of GoliathTech, a manufacturer and franchisor specializing in helical (screw) pile systems for construction. I am Canadian; my father is American, my mother is Mexican, and my spouse is both Ukrainian and Russian. I have had the opportunity to live and work in several of these countries, which has enabled me to develop a deep understanding of different cultures, both human and professional. Today, this reality represents a tangible competitive advantage in the international development of GoliathTech’s operations.

GoliathTech has become the most important manufacturer and installer in the helical pile industry and a top-ranking franchisor. Always at the forefront of the industry, GoliathTech constantly innovates to realize the mission and vision of offering the highest quality products and services to customers around the globe.

Throughout my career, I have personally founded and led several companies operating globally across more than sixty countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, and numerous European countries. These experiences have taught me the importance of adapting business strategies to local economic realities.

With this perspective, I have closely monitored developments in the U.S. market, particularly the implementation of new tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration. As a manufacturer, optimizing our supply chains and strengthening proximity to our key markets have therefore become strategic levers to anticipate these changing tariff conditions and ensure our long-term performance.

It is within this context that I decided to open a manufacturing facility in Ohio, United States, at a time when the North American economic environment calls for structural adjustments. This decision not only aligns with current U.S. economic priorities but also allows us, as a franchisor, to respond more effectively to the needs of our American franchisees, who are now present in 33 U.S. states.

This new facility will enable us to offer a range of products manufactured in the United States, while maintaining our Canadian-made product line for other international markets. Over the years, my experience has shown that each of our facilities performs at its best when it actively contributes to the local economy in which it operates.

In this context, joining the GoliathTech franchise network represents a strategic opportunity. We invite entrepreneurs who wish to build a strong and resilient local business, supported by a leading manufacturer and franchisor in screw pile systems, to learn more about acquiring a GoliathTech franchise.

Julian Reusing
CEO
GoliathTech Inc.

Construction Franchise Opportunity | GoliathTech

The Best Screw Pile Foundation System | GoliathTech

GoliathTech has become the most important manufacturer and installer in the helical pile industry and a top-ranking franchisor. Always at the forefront of the industry, GoliathTech constantly innovates to realize the mission and vision of offering the highest quality products and services to customers around the globe.

Led by WestCap, the Series D Round Values the Company at $1.2 Billion and Marks the Next Chapter for Personalized, High-Quality Learning at Scale

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Preply, the #1 global language learning marketplace, today announced the closing of its Series D round, securing $150 million in funding led by WestCap, a strategic operating and investing firm with over $6 billion in assets under management. Goldman Sachs International acted as sole placement agent in the transaction. The latest funding round values the company at $1.2 billion, marking a significant milestone in Preply’s mission to make transformative learning experiences accessible to people around the world.

A pioneer in online language learning, Preply’s platform connects more than 100,000 tutors with learners in 180 countries, facilitating one-on-one lessons in more than 90 languages. Powered by a unique combination of human-led instruction, paired with its AI-supported tutoring co-pilot suite, Preply is redefining how people learn through high-quality, flexible and tailored learning experiences designed to drive real progress with every lesson.

Preply’s Series D fundraise comes at a time when an estimated 1.8 billion people, or roughly one in every four people worldwide, are actively striving to achieve proficiency in a second language, according to global education data platform HolonIQ. It’s estimated that the global direct-to-consumer language learning market will reach $227 billion by 2035, and has already delivered 3X growth over the last five years, with long-term forecasts indicating sustained, exponential growth in years to come.

Since its Series C raise, Preply has more than tripled its number of bookable tutors and expanded its offering by adding over 40 new languages to the platform. In the last twelve months the company continued improving EBITDA and became EBITDA positive. 

With this capital, and the support of new and existing investors, including The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Horizon Capital, among others, Preply will strengthen its commitment to delivering the world’s most personalized learning experiences at scale. The company plans to advance its AI and data capabilities, expand its product and engineering teams to enhance the platform experience, and accelerate its global growth to reach more learners and tutors across the globe as it reshapes the traditional education system. The WestCap team, with its strong track record of building and scaling global marketplaces such as Airbnb and StubHub, will help Preply further deepen its impact worldwide.

“We feel extremely fortunate and deeply responsible for shaping how people will learn in the future,” says Preply co-founder and CEO Kirill Bigai. “Today, we connect people with the world’s best tutors, amplified by AI, bringing learning efficiency to a level that was previously unreachable. We are happy to partner with the WestCap team, who has deep expertise in helping founders to build legendary world-changing brands. This investment will help us to continue to innovate at the intersection of human tutoring and AI, creating opportunities everywhere for people to connect, belong, succeed, and ultimately to progress in their lives no matter where they are in the world.”

As other learning platforms increasingly turn to automation, Preply remains committed to the power of human connection, using AI to enable and enhance tutor-driven learning and support its tutoring co-pilot suite. In fact, Preply’s 2025 Efficiency Study, conducted in partnership with the nonprofit research organization LeanLab Education, revealed that 96% of learners consider learning with a human tutor and engaging in real conversations as essential to their progress, while 97% said these interactions were key to boosting their confidence.

The study also found that learners progressed up to 3x faster with Preply when compared to average benchmarks, with one in three learners moving up a full CEFR level in just 12 weeks. This indicates that human guidance remains a powerful driver of meaningful learning, and can be supercharged when paired with AI, like Preply’s tutoring co-pilot, which tracks progress, delivers actionable insights, and automates administrative tasks, enabling tutors to focus on teaching and learners to more quickly reach their goals.

“Preply is setting a new standard for personalized education at scale, and the opportunities are virtually limitless,” says Allen Mask, Partner at WestCap and former senior executive at Airbnb, who is joining the Preply board. “Data shows that learners thrive when real human instruction is supported by technology, and in today’s increasingly connected world, there is a real demand for democratizing access to high-quality learning in a modern and effective way. Preply has the market-leading product, the experienced leadership team, and the vision to shape how people communicate globally.”

This latest round brings Preply’s total funding to approximately $299 million to-date, underscoring long-term investor confidence in the company’s mission and growth trajectory. With continued momentum across its global marketplace, Preply is well positioned to expand its impact, build on its proven learning outcomes, and further establish itself as the category leader in human-led, AI-enabled learning.

For more information, visit Preply.com.

ABOUT PREPLY
Preply is the human-led, AI-enabled language learning platform building the future of learning. With a global network of more than 100,000 tutors teaching over 90 languages, we are the category leader and the largest online marketplace that brings human tutors together with learners from 180 countries, supporting them with always-on, AI-powered tools to deliver real progress with every lesson.

Our mission is to create life-changing learning experiences by powering real progress through personalized learning, motivation, and high-quality tutoring at scale. We believe that we are uniquely positioned to become the company that understands human learning better than anyone else on the planet.

ABOUT WESTCAP
WestCap is a strategic operating and investing firm that partners with visionary leaders to build generational businesses. Our team is comprised of seasoned industry leaders and entrepreneurs who guide companies through the most pivotal stages of growth. Some of our notable investments include Airbnb, StubHub, Klarna, Ipreo, Addepar, Hopper, iCapital and GoodLeap. The firm has offices in New York, San Francisco and London. For more information, please visit www.westcap.com.

CONTACT
Lauren Doyle
Global PR & Communications, Preply
Lauren.Doyle@preply.com 

ASHBURN, Va, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a global enterprise technology and innovation partner, today announced a strategic partnership with Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: EEFT), a leading global payments technology company, to expand issuing, revolving credit and payments capabilities for financial institutions worldwide.

DXC Announces Strategic Partnership with Euronet to Expand Global Issuing and Payments Capabilities

Through this collaboration, DXC will integrate Hogan, its core banking platform, which powers more than 300 million deposit accounts and over $5 trillion in deposits globally, with Euronet’s Ren platform, a modern issuing, processing and payments solution. The combined capabilities will help banks, fintechs and other financial services organizations of all sizes accelerate the launch of card issuing, credit and payment programs while simplifying operations such as reconciliation and settlement, and reducing time to market for new products and customer onboarding.

Initially, DXC will work with Euronet to enable mutual clients to adopt pre-integrated issuing and payments solutions that support credit, debit and revolving credit programs, along with gateways for payment acceptance. Over time, the partnership will extend DXC’s ability to serve a broader set of financial institutions with scalable, modern issuing and payments capabilities, alongside access to Euronet’s wider portfolio of services.

As competition in financial services continues to intensify, issuing and payments have become a strategic area of focus for banks seeking to grow, differentiate, and deepen customer relationships. Digital-first players and consumer platforms are expanding into card-based and embedded payment experiences, raising expectations for speed, flexibility and reach. In response, banks are investing in modern issuing and payments capabilities that allow them to compete at scale, launch new products efficiently, and extend their offerings across markets and channels.

“Issuing and payments have become core growth engines for financial institutions, but too often they remain fragmented and slow to deploy,” said Sandeep Bhanote, Global Head and General Manager of Financial Services at DXC. “By partnering with Euronet, we are combining proven issuing and payments capabilities with DXC’s financial services expertise to help clients launch new programs faster, scale with confidence and expand into new markets.”

Euronet brings an extensive suite of issuing, payments and transaction services to the partnership, including global issuing, processing and cross-border capabilities. These services, combined with DXC’s financial services expertise in modernizing and operating mission critical banking and payments platforms, strengthen DXC’s ability to help clients modernize payment infrastructures and unlock new growth opportunities. More broadly, the collaboration reinforces DXC’s commitment to advancing secure, scalable and future-ready payments capabilities for financial institutions.

 “DXC has a long history of supporting the world’s leading financial institutions,” said Oscar Munoz, VP of Sales, Americas, at Euronet. “Working together, we’re helping banks and payment providers modernize issuing and payment environments with greater speed, flexibility and confidence.”

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is a leading enterprise technology and innovation partner delivering software, services, and solutions to global enterprises and public sector organizations — helping them harness AI to drive outcomes at a time of exponential change with speed. With deep expertise in Managed Infrastructure Services, Application Modernization, and Industry-Specific Software Solutions, DXC modernizes, secures, and operates some of the world’s most complex technology estates. Learn more on dxc.com

About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

A global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, Euronet moves money in the ways consumers and businesses depend on every day. Its solutions include money transfers, credit and debit processing, ATM and point-of-sale services, branded payments, currency exchange and more. With products and services available in more than 200 countries and territories through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone.

Media Contact: Ashley Houk-Temple, Media Relations, ashley.houktemple@dxc.com

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ELECFREAKS, a global provider of micro:bit-based STEAM education solutions, today announced its participation in BETT 2026, the UK’s leading education technology exhibition. This year, ELECFREAKS will exhibit together with its sub-brand TOOCAA, offering visitors a complete showcase of classroom-ready STEAM education innovations, featuring CreatAI learning scenarios, newly launched robotics kits, and creative making tools such as the TOOCAA Nova AI Desktop Laser Engraver.

ELECFREAKS is committed to advancing STEAM education through innovative educational products and solutions. Its portfolio includes micro:bit programming kits, robotics kits, sensor ecosystems, and supporting curriculum resources, widely used in classrooms, makerspaces, and educational projects to help learners develop coding skills, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving abilities. Designed for real classroom implementation, ELECFREAKS solutions support project-based learning through hands-on building, coding, and exploration activities. In addition, ELECFREAKS provides extensive teaching resources through its online Wiki, offering product guides, tutorials, and step-by-step instructions to help educators and students get started quickly.

At BETT 2026, ELECFREAKS will spotlight its newly launched STEAM learning kits through on-site demonstrations and classroom-ready project displays, showing how robotics, coding, and AI can be integrated into engaging learning experiences.

New Building Block Kits: Engineering and Thematic Learning

A key new highlight at the booth is the Nezha Pro AI Mechanical Power Kit, which will serve as the core example for CreatAI demonstrations. Visitors will be able to see how students can combine introductory AI concepts with robotics building, mechanical structures, and coding to create responsive behaviors, motion control functions, and real-world problem-solving projects. Through this hands-on CreatAI showcase, educators can explore practical ways to bring AI learning into project-based classroom activities.

ELECFREAKS will also introduce the new Nezha Pro Ocean Kit at BETT 2026, featuring ocean-themed learning tasks that connect robotics with marine science and environmental exploration. Through scenario-based builds and coding challenges, the kit encourages students to apply engineering skills to real-world themes while supporting interdisciplinary STEAM learning.

In addition, the new Nezha Pro Sports Kit will be demonstrated as a sports-inspired robotics solution designed for primary and secondary school learners. Powered by the Nezha Pro controller and PlanetX sensor system, it supports hands-on building activities such as motion control, line tracking, and interactive sports challenges. The kit’s beginner-friendly learning approach makes it easy for students to get started while still leaving room for creativity and deeper engineering exploration.

New Robot Car Kit: Classroom Robotics in Motion

As part of its latest robot car releases, ELECFREAKS will debut the TPBot EDU Car Kit at BETT 2026 through live driving demos and classroom-style coding setups. As an upgraded micro:bit robot car, TPBot EDU offers improved driving stability and turning performance for smoother demonstrations and more reliable student projects. With multiple control modes and expandability for creative builds, it provides a flexible platform for both entry-level learning and extended classroom challenges.

New Creative Programming Kit: Game-Based Learning with micro:bit Arcade Pro

ELECFREAKS will also highlight its newest creative coding solution, the micro:bit Arcade Pro, allowing visitors to experience how game-based learning can strengthen programming logic and creativity. With native support for Microsoft MakeCode Arcade, Arcade Pro enables offline game design and logic training in a classroom-friendly format. At the booth, educators and learners can explore how Arcade Pro supports not only playable coding projects, but also extended applications such as robotics control and sensor-based experiments through Jacdac connectivity.

New Advanced Robotics Showcase: Exploration Learning with XGO Rider

For educators and learners looking for more advanced robotics experiences, BETT 2026 attendees can explore the new XGO Rider as part of ELECFREAKS’ higher-level showcase. Through hands-on demonstrations, the XGO Rider highlights learning in balance, movement, and intelligent control—offering an engaging way to explore robotics concepts inspired by real-world robotic systems and supporting more challenging innovation projects.

A Broader Portfolio for Classroom STEAM Learning

In addition to its new launches, ELECFREAKS will also present a selection of proven STEAM education solutions to support diverse teaching scenarios. This includes creative coding kits such as Arcade, and Retro Arcade for game-based learning and interactive programming, as well as popular robotics platforms like Cutebot and Cutebot Pro for hands-on robotics education. ELECFREAKS will also showcase its sensor ecosystem, including the Petal, PlanetX, and jacdac sensor series, helping educators build richer classroom projects through experimentation, data collection, and automation.

Event Details
Event: BETT 2026
Location: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, United Kingdom
Date: 21–23 January 2026
Hall: Bett Hall
Stand Number: NG50

ELECFREAKS warmly invites educators, partners, and education technology professionals to visit Stand NG50 at BETT 2026. Discover how ELECFREAKS and TOOCAA are advancing STEAM education through CreatAI applications, robotics learning, and innovative making tools.

Join us at BETT 2026 and explore how technology can inspire the next generation of creators and innovators.

For more information:

ELECFREAKS Official Website: https://www.elecfreaks.com/
ELECFREAKS Shop: https://shop.elecfreaks.com/