MCLEAN, Va., May 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM), the only communications company with 100 percent global coverage, today officially launched Iridium Edge™, its new, cost-effective global asset tracking, safety and fleet management device.  A plug-and-play designed solution, Iridium Edge enables companies of all sizes to rapidly expand their IoT applications beyond cellular coverage.  With over 80 percent of the earth lacking cellular connectivity, Iridium Edge is an ideal device for companies in need of a reliable, global IoT solution.

Iridium Edge has already been approved for use in major global markets, including the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia with additional markets planned. Iridium Edge can be used to add satellite connectivity for cellular-based applications, or as a fixed location satellite-based monitoring device.  The global nature of the device extends the range of coverage to even the most remote locations, providing reliable connectivity, and allows companies to quickly take advantage of new opportunities in countries or regions previously less accessible.

"We've heard from many partners who are eager to expand their IoT applications to parts of the world where they don't currently exist, but may not be able to justify the business case to develop that solution themselves," said Tim Last, vice president and general manager of IoT at Iridium.  "Iridium Edge has reduced that barrier to adoption and is as easy to integrate as existing cellular solutions on the market today, with one key difference, adding Iridium Edge takes them global."  Last continued, "The cost and development effort of adding satellite to a cellular solution has been reduced, and the simplicity of integrating Iridium Edge with existing solutions creates an opportunity for extending IoT to the rest of the world not currently served by reliable connectivity." 

Iridium Edge is a rugged, environmentally sealed device designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, typical of remote, unattended installations. Configured through a user-friendly interface, the device contains a robust automotive power supply, an Iridium modem and certified antenna, housed within a small waterproof enclosure (130mm x 80mm x 30mm). Due to the unique design of the Iridium constellation, with a network of inter-connected satellites creating a web of coverage, Iridium Edge can provide connectivity while avoiding blockage problems commonly associated with other satellite solutions. Blockage mitigation is especially important in mobile terrestrial deployments as many global fleets operate in various conditions, including mountainous or occluded urban environments.

To date, Iridium partners, such as CalAmp, have integrated Iridium Edge with their product portfolio. CalAmp's solutions using Iridium Edge will allow companies to deploy dual-mode asset management and tracking capabilities. This integration will enable its customers to efficiently extend the tracking range of their mobile assets out to remote areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure.

"We are excited to be a part of bringing Iridium Edge to the market," said Justin Schmid, senior vice president and general manager of the telematics systems business at CalAmp. "It is easy to use, and we are excited for the opportunities it will bring our customers with asset tracking and management needs that reach beyond existing cellular networks.  Customers who may have been hesitant to add a satellite-based solution due to cost or time requirements have another option."

Iridium Edge is fully compatible with the original Iridium constellation as well as Iridium's next-generation constellation, Iridium NEXT.  The new constellation will also enable Iridium CertusSM, the Company's state-of-the-art communications platform supporting a portfolio of critical communications solutions for all industry verticals.  The Iridium Certus IoT capabilities will include faster speeds and higher throughputs, delivering low-latency satellite connectivity for tracking, monitoring, data and voice and asset management functions.

For information about how to purchase Iridium Edge, please visit
https://iridium.com/iridiumedge

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.

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 capabilities of new products and services, including Iridium Edge and Iridium Certus, and the timing for deployment, development and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation and products and services to be offered over the constellation. 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 potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, the development and functionality of Iridium NEXT and related products and services, 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, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 23, 2017, 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:
Jordan Hassin
Iridium Communications Inc.
+1 (202) 232-6601
Jordan.Hassin@iridium.com
Twitter: @IridiumComm

Investor Contact:
Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.
+1 (703) 287-7570
Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
Twitter: @IridiumIR