The non-exclusive agreements will enable the providers to sell Iridium services to industrial and government markets in remote areas where no other form of communication is available.
"In selecting our service providers, we looked for established companies that understand how Iridium can be sold as part of an overall satellite communications solution for industrial and government markets," said Dan Colussy, chairman and CEO of Iridium.
"The robust and experienced distribution channel we assembled is a pivotal component of our rollout plan and will be a contributing factor to Iridium's success and profitability."
The service providers selected as part of Iridium's distribution channel were closely reviewed and chosen based on specific criteria including:
Established distribution networks.
Iridium will explore future service provider relationships as appropriate to ensure full geographic and market-specific coverage. The industries served by Iridium's service providers include maritime, marine, oil/gas, fishing, mining, construction, forestry, non-governmental organization/relief, yachting/leisure and government. Iridium's service provider network includes:
- AST Airtime Limited -- Provider of communication solutions for the offshore oil and gas industry serving Western Europe, Africa and Asia. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom.
- Eurocom Industries A/S -- The Denmark-based company is the leading provider of Sailor and Skanti maritime communications services
- Fibertel -- Serving Western Europe, the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, Fibertel was a previous Iridium service provider in Africa and Germany. Headquartered in Madrid, the company provides mobile and satellite communications products and services.
- GEOLINK Global Satellite Services -- The company is a developer of content and services for satellite constellation systems for the fishing, crew distant teaching and weather forecasting industries. Headquartered in Paris, the company serves Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, Russia and Asia.
- Global Satellite FWI -- Headquartered in St. Barthelemy, the company has more than 25 years of experience in marine, land and military electronics for navigation and communications in Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Central America.
- GloCall Satellite Communications BV -- One of the largest independent service providers in the world dedicated to global, mobile satellite communication solutions, the Netherlands-based company serves Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
- Incomserv Co. Ltd. -- An affiliate of Transas Marine specializing in high-tech marine products, Russia-based Incomserv was a previous Iridium Eurasia service provider and achieved significant penetration in the marine and heavy industry markets in Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.
- Infosat Telecommunications -- Headquartered in Canada and a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat, this company serves North and Central America and the Caribbean.
- Marconi Marine -- This company is a satellite communications service provider and internationally approved accounting authority responsible for handling satellite and terrestrial-based communications costs for ships. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company serves Western Europe and Scandanavia.
- O'Gara Satellite Networks Ltd. -- A "one-stop-shop" for all satellite communications products and services, this company serves Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom.
- Rent Express -- This Toronto-based company provides international wireless phone services for North Americans traveling overseas and is the behind-the-scenes "international wireless" supplier for a number of major wireless carriers and travel partners.
- Stratos -- This Toronto-based company is a vertically integrated satellite and microwave service provider, serving the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific.
- World Communication Center (WCC) -- Based in Chandler, Ariz., WCC is an equipment and service sales and rental company for industrial corporations and individuals that require communications in remote areas.
"Each of these service providers meets our stringent criteria for delivering stellar customer service," said Ginger Washburn, chief marketing officer at Iridium.
"We are excited to work with these partners to introduce a new experience in remote communications. With the new Iridium service, users will enjoy mobility, affordability and simplicity that no other satellite communications offering can beat. With their vertical market expertise, our service providers will ensure that customers receive the Iridium solution that best fits their needs."
New Iridium Motherhood Statement
Iridium Satellite LLC is the only provider of truly global mobile satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions).
Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by The Boeing Company, Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available.
The service is ideally suited for industrial applications such as heavy construction, defense/military, emergency services, maritime, mining, forestry, oil & gas and aviation. Iridium currently provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense under a multi-year contract and will launch commercial service in early spring of 2001.
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