MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) today announced that it has reduced the pricing of its 9602 and 9603 Short Burst Data (SBD) transceivers by up to 50 percent. Thanks to expanding market demand for Iridium M2M solutions, and considering the success of cost reduction and new technology, Iridium is able to lower its prices for many customers, helping them compete more effectively in the market. Iridium's SBD transceivers are ideally suited for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications including asset tracking, monitoring, fleet management and remote worker communications in areas lacking cellular coverage. The new pricing offers Iridium Value Added Resellers (VARs) the ability to integrate the field-proven transceivers into their custom M2M solutions at a much more competitive price with lower purchase commitments.

Every M2M solution needs an antenna and Iridium partners with industry leading antenna manufacturers such as Hirschmann, Laird, Maxtenna, Multiband, and Taoglas who offer a range of antennas from very low cost patch antennas to packages that integrate an Iridium transceiver and antenna in a single environmental enclosure. The combination of low-cost antennas and transceivers positions Iridium as the high quality, global satellite network provider for the M2M market.

"As enterprises across the world realize that their M2M solutions require connectivity beyond the boundaries of terrestrial service, Iridium is helping our OEMs and VARs meet demanding data and applications requirements that enables them to attain a high return on their investments in M2M," stated David Wigglesworth, Vice President & General Manager, Americas & Global Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Services, Iridium Communications Inc.  "We're pleased to be working with some of the best brands in the industry to support their M2M solutions and services, and to enable the evolution of their M2M applications with our trusted network and core technology."

With Iridium, OEMs and VARs gain access to a broad range of M2M capabilities supported by the company's unique satellite network, which delivers superior, globally uniform service with low-latency.  Iridium's reliable satellite network provides coverage and backup capabilities for more than 80 percent of the Earth's surface where cellular is unavailable.  

Iridium 9603 -

The Iridium 9603 is the world's smallest commercial satellite two-way transceiver available today.  It is ideal for applications tight on space but big on business-critical communications requirements such as monitoring, tracking and alarm systems.

With half the footprint and one-fourth the volume of the previous-generation Iridium 9602, the Iridium 9603 is easily integrated into OEM solutions and offers reliable, low-latency, global reach with Iridium's Short Burst Data service. The transceiver delivers two-way communications, further expanding the Iridium-connected user base worldwide.

Iridium 9602 -

The Iridium 9602 is designed for integration by OEMs into complete wireless solutions. It provides critical data communications necessary for global M2M solutions such as automatic vehicle location, asset monitoring, maritime and personal tracking applications.

Iridium's M2M business serves the mission-critical enterprise communication needs for  global OEM's in addition to after-market solution providers of fleet and vehicle tracking, heavy equipment, container and mobile asset tracking across the utility, oil and gas, maritime and aviation markets. Iridium's M2M data subscribers have grown at a 36 percent compound annual rate since 2008, and now represent 46 percent of the company's total customer base. The company now draws over one-fifth of its commercial service revenue from the satellite M2M market.

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.

CONTACT: Press Contact:

         

         Diane Hockenberry

         Iridium Communications Inc.

         +1 (703) 287-7421

         Diane.hockenberry@iridium.com