MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 28, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) and Appareo Systems, LLC today announced a partnership to provide advanced telematics solutions enabled with global connectivity to a number of key industries. Appareo, a recognized leader in providing innovative electronic and software solutions for original equipment manufacturers in the agriculture, general aviation and aerospace, and construction industries will extend global data connectivity to their customers using Iridium's 100 percent global satellite network. The initial focus will be for solutions to the agriculture and general aviation marketplaces.

In the agriculture industry, Appareo provides a variety of telematics solutions including precision agriculture, planting, diagnostics and vehicle control, all of which enable greater efficiency and productivity. Appareo's new offerings will utilize Iridium's unique, global satellite network, which delivers superior, reliable connectivity globally, enabling customers to connect across the 90 percent of the earth's surface not covered by traditional terrestrial networks.

Furthermore, as part of a long-term development and supply agreement with Iridium, Appareo will integrate the Iridium® 9603 chipset into its products and solutions for the verticals it serves, including construction, mining, forestry, fleet and aviation. As with all current Iridium devices, the Iridium 9603 chipset will be compatible with the Iridium NEXT satellite network, scheduled to begin launching in 2015.

"The accelerating growth of M2M has already resulted in a transformative effect across a variety of industries. Iridium's M2M network delivers the full investment of M2M without boundaries, and will similarly benefit the agriculture and aviation industries," said Bryan Hartin, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Iridium.

"Pushing boundaries is at the core of our identity," said Jeff Johnson, Vice President of Business Development, Appareo. "Global connectivity, with no compromises on coverage, latency and connectivity is becoming more and more critical in the industries we serve. This partnership will ensure Appareo solutions serve our current and future customers with the furthest reaching technology."

The Iridium NEXT satellite network will consist of 66 in-orbit satellites and a number of in-orbit spares. The constellation is expected to begin launching in 2015 and will offer continued high quality service for Iridium customers as well as greater bandwidth and data speeds when fully operational in 2017.

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 a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. 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.

About Appareo Systems

Appareo Systems, LLC is a recognized leader in the custom design, development and manufacture of innovative electronic and software solutions for aerospace and agriculture original equipment manufacturers. Through a creative application of cutting-edge technologies, Appareo creates complex end-to-end solutions that include both mobile and cloud-based components. Appareo also provides advanced research services for electro-optic, electromechanical, kinematic and MEMS-based sensors. The company is privately held, with world headquarters located in Fargo, ND at the North Dakota State University Research and Technology Park. Learn more at www.appareo.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 presentation include statements regarding the development of and transition to the Iridium NEXT constellation; features of the Iridium NEXT system, including backward compatibility with current Iridium devices; and expected Iridium NEXT deployment schedule. 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 overall Iridium NEXT development and costs, potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, 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-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("the SEC") on May 1, 2014, 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.

CONTACT: Diane Hockenberry

         Iridium Communications Inc.

         +1 (703) 287-7421

         Diane.hockenberry@iridium.com