Iridium and Telaurus Provide Satellite Communications for "Northwest Passage" Filming Expedition

BETHESDA, Md. and CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J. – July 14, 2009 – Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) and Telaurus Communications LLC (Telaurus) have teamed to provide satellite communication equipment and services for a six-month Northwest Passage Filming voyage. The voyage got underway from Rhode Island on June 13, 2009 and will end in Seattle on Oct. 31, 2009. The voyage’s vessel, the BAGAN, is equipped with an Iridium OpenPort® high-speed maritime communications terminal and Telaurus Se@COMM software. Iridium OpenPort enables the BAGAN to transmit critical voice and data communications in the Arctic Region where no other service is available, including services based on geostationary satellites. So, the captain and crew of the BAGAN are able to speak on the phone at the same time, even during data transmission, due to OpenPort’s availability of three voice lines and one data port, which can all be used simultaneously. The Se@COMM communications software by Telaurus provides real-time messaging, and advanced compression and file transfer capabilities, giving maximum flexibility and control to both operators and crew.

“For maritime vessel operators, Iridim OpenPort is easy to install, simple to operate, reliable and efficient with three voice lines and a data port,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Global Distribution Channels, Iridium. “And, of course, Iridium OpenPort was the natural choice due to its coverage over 100 percent of the Earth’s surface, including Polar waters.  Though competitive service providers like to say they provide ‘global’ coverage, users such as the BAGAN crew are beyond the reach of geostationary satellite systems and, once again, Iridium is the only network capable of providing communications service to those operating in this region of the world.”

Emmy Award -winning filmmaker Sprague Theobald has assembled this team of sailors, divers and filmmakers uniquely suited to not only take on the challenges of an Arctic expedition, but to capture it on film in dramatic and compelling ways that highlight environmental and political issues surrounding the passage.

Theobald’s documentary objective is “to show what’s at stake and what we risk losing if we don’t take action now to preserve what’s left of the Arctic frontier.” In addition to preserving the Arctic’s natural beauty, Theobald will also use his Northwest Passage documentary as an educational piece encapsulating maritime history and Arctic environmental conservation opportunities.

“As the story of this epic voyage is documented, it is critical for the crew to be able to communicate it back to headquarters, as well as to stay in communication with family and friends,” said Malcolm McMaster, president, Telaurus. “We are pleased to be providing the hardware and software to enable communications in such a far northern location, where the crew would have otherwise been out of touch.”

Theobald will publish daily photographs, audio/video, and daily reports to the film’s Website, www.northwestpassagefilm.com. He hopes that, by making such live broadcasts like this to the Website and through TV and news partners, he will continue to generate support and awareness for the Arctic people, wildlife and habitat.

About Iridium Satellite LLC

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites provide critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium’s subscriber growth has been driven by increasing demand for reliable, global communications. Iridium serves commercial and government markets through a worldwide network of hundreds of distributors. The company’s customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, which will result in continued and new Iridium MSS offerings. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., U.S. and is currently privately held.

About Telaurus Communications

Telaurus Communications LLC is a full-service satellite communications company with leading-edge technology designed to provide highly efficient, cost-effective communications solutions which provides maximum operational and cost-control benefits to ship owners/operators. The company’s principal business is based on providing real-time data connectivity, voice, and fax to merchant ships. Telaurus has a global presence, including offices in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Singapore, as well as representative offices in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Turkey, Latvia, Japan and China. For more information about Telaurus products and services please send your request to info@telaurus.com or visit the Telaurus Website at www.telaurus.com.

Press Contacts:

Liz DeCastro
Iridium Satellite LLC
+1 (301) 571-6257
liz.decastro@iridium.com

Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communication
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com