MCLEAN, Va., March 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) today announced the next wave of Iridium Certus service providers selected to deliver this next-generation satellite broadband solution for land-mobile applications.  This group of six world-class service providers includes, Globalsat, IEC Telecom, Marlink, McQ, Pivotel and Tesam Argentina S.A. (“Tesacom”). Together, these companies further expand the footprint for Iridium Certus land-mobile services.

The introduction of Iridium Certus and the new Thales MissionLINKTM terminal is a game-changer for off-the-grid public safety, utility, oil and gas, military and non-government organization applications. Adoption of this technology will create the first truly globally ‘connected vehicles,’ allowing drivers and their passengers to be more productive on-the-move.  The solution offers a seamless broadband connectivity experience that can be configured to automatically switch between Iridium Certus or local cellular infrastructure. This ensures the most cost-effective option is in use regardless of deployed environmental conditions or location worldwide. As a result, organizations are empowered to maintain capabilities like real-time vehicle tracking and immediate transmission of telematics information, while supporting internet, phone and email requirements.

Already undergoing live testing, the Thales MissionLink terminal will debut at speeds of 352 kbps, later upgradable to 704 kbps through a firmware update.  Brian Aziz, director of Satcom Solutions for Thales Defense & Security shared, “The network performance results that we’ve confirmed through our testing have surpassed our expectations including achievement of 352 kbps data speeds and clarity of Iridium’s high-quality voice calling.  Starting this month, we will transition to field customer trials and commence high-rate production of our terminals in order to meet the demand of orders that we have already received.”  Aziz continued, “The level of engagement from Iridium’s service providers has been tremendous, and we anticipate Iridium’s certification of the Thales MissionLink terminal next month as we continue to make progress towards commercial introduction in mid-2018.” 

Unlike geostationary networks with limited global reach and bulky terminals, the unique architecture of the Iridium® constellation, featuring 66 interconnected low-earth-orbit satellites, enables global coverage and creation of cost-effective, highly mobile, small-form-factor antennas and terminals.  This results in improved access, particularly when in rugged terrain such as mountainous regions, and makes satellite communication services a viable option for new markets and geographies.

With the addition of these six service providers, 12 companies to date have signed on to provide land-mobile-related industries with Iridium Certus service. Previously, six companies were announced, including Applied Satellite Technology Limited (AST), Arion Communication Co. Ltd, Kaigai Communication Corporation, MVS USA Inc., Network Innovations and Spacenet.  Iridium plans to announce additional service providers in the coming weeks.

Iridium Certus is enabled by the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation, which is in the process of replacing the original Iridium network.  To date, there have been four successful Iridium NEXT launches, deploying more than half of the new constellation. Four additional launches are planned for 2018.

To learn more about Iridium Certus and the Thales MissionLink terminal, stop by the Iridium booth, #1801, at SATELLITE 2018 in Washington, DC between Tuesday March 13th and Thursday March 15th.

For more information about Iridium Certus, visit https://www.iridium.com/company/industryleadership/iridiumcertus.
For more information about Iridium NEXT, visit www.IridiumNEXT.com.
For more information about Globalsat, visit en.globalsat.us
For more information about IEC Telecom, visit www.iec-telecom.com
For more information about Marlink, visit www.marlink.com
For more information about McQ, visit www.mcqinc.com
For more information about Pivotel, visit www.pivotel.com.au
For more information about Tesacom, visit www.tesacom.net

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications 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. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. 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

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 presentation include statements regarding the deployment and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation and products and services to be offered over the constellation, including Iridium Certus. 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 potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, the development and functionality of Iridium NEXT and related products and services, as well as the market for such products and services, and 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, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 22, 2018, 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.

Press Contact:

Jordan Hassin                                                                                                   
Iridium Communications Inc.
+1 (646) 872-0067
[email protected]
Twitter: @IridiumComm

Investor Contact: 

Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.
+1 (703) 287-7570
[email protected]
Twitter: @IridiumIR