World's First Truly Global Handheld Satellite PTT Radio Makes Commercial Debut

MCLEAN, Va., June 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. IRDM and partner Icom Incorporated today announced the commercial availability of the world's first dedicated satellite push-to-talk (PTT) radio.  The Icom IC-SAT100 is the only Iridium PTT capable Land-Mobile Radio (LMR) offering real-time communications at the push of a button between groups of individuals, each of whom can be anywhere on the planet. This combined product and service offering provides critical communications beyond the range of trunked radio networks and as an emergency back-up, providing business continuity and security for customers around the world. 

The Icom IC-SAT100 can interoperate with existing LMR networks and be managed over the air through the Iridium PTT Command Center, simplifying device administration. This new satellite PTT radio is being highlighted at the 2019 ConnecTechAsia/CommunicAsia tradeshow at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore this week and can be found on display at the Iridium booth, #1Q2-01.

"The industry spoke, and we listened.  There is a clear demand for this type of Iridium Connected^® product," said Bryan Hartin, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Iridium. "This new satellite PTT device is unlike anything ever offered commercially in terms of capability, and it would not have been possible without the great partnership we've built with Icom, who are de-facto experts and leaders in the LMR industry.  Icom has created a small, lightweight and very high performing radio that's perfect for LMR users. We look forward to many more collaborations with Icom in the future."

Featuring an industrial, radio-style design that keeps dispatched personnel connected beyond the reach of traditional LMR networks, the IC-SAT100's commercial availability has been highly anticipated by government agencies, NGOs, first responders, law enforcement, search-and-rescue organizations and businesses. These organizations expressed demand for ways to easily integrate a satellite PTT solution with their existing LMR communications.  Iridium responded and engaged with Icom to deliver a true LMR PTT experience through satellite connectivity. The IC-SAT100 is also compatible with existing Icom portfolio accessories and the new VE-PG4, an interoperability gateway feature that allows for integration with any existing deployed LMR systems. No other commercially available PTT device has the design, functionality and coverage of the IC-SAT100.

"The IC-SAT100 build is based upon our design and manufacturing experience in virtually every kind of radio we have produced since 1954. It is our first satellite PTT radio, but with the extensive support from Iridium, we are bringing the right product to the market with the quality and reliability Icom is known for," said Hiro Nakaoka, executive officer & director international sales department.

The IC-SAT100 is a compact, user-friendly radio with military grade ruggedness and includes a high audio speaker to ensure communications clarity, even in high ambient noise environments.  Radio-style control knobs and a familiar LMR user interface make the IC-SAT100 incredibly easy to operate for existing radio users. With real-time, one-to-many communication at the push of a button, and Iridium's truly global coverage, the new device ensures reliability of communication between work teams in isolated areas.  Users will know that regardless of where in the world they need to deploy personnel and assets, they will remain within coverage. 

The new device will be available through a combination of Iridium's and Icom's existing partner networks.  To request more information about the product visit www.iridium.com/IC-SAT100.

For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com
For more information about Icom, visit: www.icom.co.jp

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 recently completed its next-generation satellite network and launched its new specialty broadband service, Iridium Certus^®. 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 press release include statements regarding the timing of introduction, capabilities and benefits of products and services enabled by the Iridium constellation, including Iridium PTT. 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 and functionality of Iridium 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, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 28, 2019, 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.

SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.