The Iridium Satellite System

The World's First Global Handset

On December 12, 2000, Iridium Satellite LLC announced that it had completed the acquisition of the operating assets of Iridium LLC and its subsidiaries. With the asset transfer complete, Iridium Satellite LLC now owns all of the former assets of Iridium LLC, including the satellite constellation, the terrestrial network, Iridium real property and intellectual property.

Iridium Satellite began service to the U.S. Government in December, 2000. On March 28, 2001, commercial satellite communications services were launched to heavy industry and other government customers. The marketing strategy will be to focus on industrial clients whose operations require reliable communications to and from remote areas of the globe where terrestrial systems are not available. The Iridium system has the unique ability to reach all of the world's remote areas, including the airspace, the oceans and the many under-developed parts of the globe that currently have no communications systems. Specifically, the company will pursue industrial segments including aviation, maritime, oil & gas, mining, heavy construction, forestry, emergency services, and the leisure market.

Iridium World Data Services were launched on June 4, 2001. This service includes Dial-Up Data with a throughput rate of up to 2.4 Kbps and Direct Internet Data with a throughput rate of up to 10 Kbps.  Iridium Satellite LLC also plans to offer specialty equipment for aviation and maritime applications.

Iridium Satellite has contracted with the Boeing Company to operate and maintain the satellite constellation, and Celestica has agreed to provide subscriber equipment.

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. DoD. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.