MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) has expanded the reach of its cost-effective Iridium OpenPort® service to offer broadband communications to terrestrial users with the launch of Iridium Pilot® Land Station. For the first time, many remote individuals and businesses in off-the-grid locations can obtain reliable Internet connections and voice calling no matter where they are located.  Iridium Pilot Land Station is an easy-to-install communications platform that makes connections where no other choice exists.

Iridium Pilot Land Station provides pole-to-pole coverage and broadband data speeds, with independent voice lines for simultaneous voice and data communications. The ruggedized hardware utilizes the proven Iridium OpenPort broadband service, allowing operation in extreme weather conditions, making it the obvious choice for users with critical communications requirements.

"Iridium OpenPort has proven to be a great solution for maritime and aviation customers, and we expect to have the same success in the terrestrial market as well," said Bryan Hartin, Iridium's executive vice president of sales and marketing. "Iridium Pilot Land Station is another example of Iridium's strategy to provide cost-effective communications solutions for all types of users around the globe."

Iridium Pilot Land Station has a variety of potential uses, including:

• Disaster recovery: Governments and emergency response organizations can quickly deploy Iridium Pilot Land Station to restore voice and Internet connections in stricken areas.
• Remote education or humanitarian missions: For organizations providing education or humanitarian aid in countries without reliable telecommunications infrastructure, Iridium Pilot Land Station enables the communications they need to stay organized.
• Science and exploration: Explorers and scientists can work from anywhere on the planet, easily staying in contact with colleagues. This is especially important when exploring remote, treacherous areas where other satellite coverage falters.  
• Business continuity: Whether due to an earthquake or a power outage, companies, governments and other organizations can rely on Iridium Pilot Land Station to provide a diverse connectivity solution independent of terrestrial infrastructure.

The Iridium® global network provides the only reliable communications solution for locations beyond 75 degrees north and south latitudes, and is a proven technology backed by years of testing and use. The unique Iridium constellation of 66 cross-linked low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites provides inherent advantages over geosynchronous (GEO) satellite constellations; there is no need to set up for line-of-sight, and it delivers coverage over the entire globe, something other satellite providers cannot do.

Available immediately, Iridium Pilot Land Station redefines the entry price point for satellite broadband communications.  Iridium OpenPort provides a range of provisioning and pricing options for voice and data services depending on individual needs. For more information on Iridium Pilot Land Station, visit the Iridium website at: www.iridiumpilotlandstation.com.    

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 ever-expanding 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. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the anticipated uses and success of the Iridium Pilot Land Station. 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 the performance and capabilities of, and the market for, the Iridium Pilot Land Station, the health, capacity and content of Iridium's current satellite constellation and the development of and transition to Iridium NEXT, 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, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 5, 2013, and the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on October 31, 2013. 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 Contact:

         Ashley Eames

         Iridium Communications Inc.

         +1 (703) 287-7476

         Ashley.Eames@iridium.com