Iridium Makes Progress in Pursuing Regulatory Compliance Process to Enter Russian Market

May 12, 2010

Iridium Communications Inc. announces an important advancement in its pursuit of regulatory compliance to enter the Russian Market. 

In May 2009, Iridium announced that it formed a company called, “Iridium Communications Russia, OOO” to pursue a license for providing MSS services in Russia. For the second year, Iridium is exhibiting at Sviaz-Expocomm, Russia’s largest telecommunications industry trade show in Moscow, May 11-15. In April 2010, the Russian Government Commission Expert Opinion approved Iridium’s entry in to the Russian market.

The Iridium low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellite constellation covers the entire planet and provides services where no other means of communication exist. Iridium sees an opportunity to provide an essential service in Russia, particularly given the extensive, open land masses without telecommunications infrastructure in the country, in addition to Russia’s harsh climates and northern sea routes where only Iridium has coverage. Iridium is the only MSS service that works in the Arctic Regions, which is particularly important for maritime organizations that need to meet government regulatory obligations to have reliable long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) devices and distress safety systems on vessels. In addition, aircraft must rely on flight communications systems for safety while flying Polar routes.

Iridium offers Russian citizens living, working and traveling in rural territories a reliable telecommunications service in order to stay connected.  The company’s services are in demand in market sectors within Russia such as emergency response, civil government, oil and gas, mining, rail and internal waterways.

Matt Desch, Iridium CEO said, “We are looking forward to seeing Iridium become a part of the Russian telecom market -- a vibrant market that is open to the type of innovation Iridium delivers. Strong demand for Iridium services in Russia has driven and underpinned our efforts in resuming activities in the country and we continue to work diligently with the Russian authorities to complete this effort.”