MCLEAN, Va., April 4, 2011 -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) today announced the operational launch of its Global Service Program to support all customers of the Iridium OpenPort® broadband maritime satellite communication service, effective April 1.

The Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program will enable Iridium's Customer Care team to dispatch 24/7 shipboard technical support at more than 50 ports around the world. Iridium is the first mobile satellite service provider to offer full-service support of this kind for any of its products. Imtech Marine, through its member Radio Holland, is the first service partner for the Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program.

In addition to the establishment of its worldwide network of maritime service centers, as of January 1, 2011, Iridium is backing up its promise of service excellence by providing a five-year standard warranty for all new and existing Iridium OpenPort units.

"The establishment of the Global Service Program is driven largely by the success of Iridium OpenPort in the maritime market. This program now ensures our growing Iridium OpenPort customer base will continue to receive maximum value from their investment," said John Roddy, executive vice president, global operations and product development, Iridium. "As the world's farthest reaching network, our customers use Iridium for critical communications in all regions of the world. With this program and new standard five-year warranty, Iridium customers can be confident they are receiving consistent, reliable communications."

Under the service agreement, Imtech Marine through Radio Holland is managing the program's three regional service centers and technical support at more than 50 ports around the world, enabling Iridium to focus on delivering on its promise of network excellence and dependable communications.

"Radio Holland has a reputation for its network of trained and experienced technicians with expertise in the maritime electronics industry," said Eric van den Adel, managing director of Imtech Marine. "Our extensive service experience and expert staff of service engineers will help to provide global 24/7 technical support for Iridium OpenPort systems anywhere in the world."

"Iridium is committed to offering a high-quality maritime communications solution with Iridium OpenPort," said Roddy. "The service was designed to be an ideal fit for maritime customers' communications needs from captain to crew, on vessels large and small."

Iridium has shipped more than 3,500 Iridium OpenPort terminals for use on a wide range of vessels, including merchant fleets, government and navy vessels, fishing fleets and personal yachts.

Iridium partners can learn more about the Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program at www.iridium.com.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium Communications Inc. (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 provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. and international government agencies. 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. The company is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units).

About Imtech Marine

Imtech Marine is a leading group of companies in the global maritime market, operating as a full-service provider and system integrator of tailor-made, innovative technology solutions covering the whole ship. Imtech Marine specialises in Automation (Platform and Bridge), Navigation & Communication including Connectivity, Energy & Drive systems, HVAC solutions and Fire Protection systems, Entertainment, Lighting and maritime services. Imtech Marine provides innovative systems and reliable services during the full lifetime of the ship. Imtech Marine reached annual revenues of more than €500 million in 2010, employing 2,500 employees at more than 70 offices based along shipping routes and close to shipbuilding centres.

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. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the implementation and availability of the Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program and the Iridium OpenPort warranty program. Other 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 Iridium's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, the development of and transition to Iridium NEXT, the ability of Iridium and its distributors to market and distribute products, services and applications effectively and their continued development of solutions and applications for Iridium's products and services, 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, 2010 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2011. 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: Press Contacts:         

         Marie Knowles

         Iridium Communications Inc.	

         +1 (703) 287-7476		

         marie.knowles@iridium.com 	



         Jim Rhodes

         Rhodes Communications 

         +1 (757) 451-0602

         jrhodes@rhodescomm.com