MCLEAN, Va, March 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NYSE:IRDM) announced today that it continues to advance through the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) recognition process. This past week, the IMO Subcommittee on Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue (NCSR) discussed its assessment of Iridium as a future GMDSS service provider.  The Subcommittee noted broad support among the delegations to incorporate Iridium as a mobile satellite GMDSS provider, and consequently recommended continuing progress towards recognition of Iridium as a GMDSS service provider.  

"We welcome the support of the international community and the IMO, and look forward to moving to the next phase in support of providing GMDSS services," said Brian Pemberton, vice president and general manager of aviation and maritime businesses at Iridium. "The IMO Subcommittee on NCSR recognized the work that Iridium has undertaken to demonstrate the functionality required to provide GMDSS services. Once we satisfy the outstanding items contained in the IMO report, Iridium can be recommended for recognition as a GMDSS service provider."

The Iridium network is comprised of 66 low-Earth orbit (LEO), cross-linked satellites that span the entire globe, including the poles. The constellation delivers reliable, low-latency communications anywhere on the planet, making it an ideal network to support maritime safety communications. Currently, only one satellite network serves the GMDSS carriage requirements - and it is approaching retirement. The addition of Iridium will provide the maritime industry with a choice of satellite technology for GMDSS communications, and will provide mariners with the redundancy of safety services that they deserve. 

For more information about Iridium maritime products, services and solutions, please visit https://www.iridium.com/solutions/maritime

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe, including the poles. 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.

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 and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation and, the recognition process for GMDSS services. 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 NEXT development and functionality, potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, the IMO approval process for GMDSS providers, the development of and market for Iridium related products, 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-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("the SEC") on February 25, 2016, 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.

Press contact:

Diane Hockenberry
Iridium Communications Inc.
+1 (703) 287-7421
Diane.Hockenberry@iridium.com