| 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. |
