MCLEAN, Va., March 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) today announced that Iridium Push-to-Talk (PTT) was recognized as the "Top Emergency Response Innovation" during the first annual Mobile Satellite Users Association (MSUA) 2016 Mobility Satellite Innovation Awards at SATELLITE 2016. Commercially launched in 2015 and featuring more than a dozen service partners, Iridium PTT is the world's first global, satellite-based push-to-talk service, enabling communication between participants located anywhere on Earth.

The "Top Emergency Response Innovation" award recognizes Iridium PTT for enabling rapid and reliable communication for emergency organizations globally — all with the push of a button. In regions where traditional telecommunications networks are limited or damaged, first responders rely on Iridium PTT to communicate and coordinate relief efforts.

"Iridium PTT serves as a critical lifeline for emergency organizations and first responders. Our unique LEO constellation sets us apart from geosynchronous (GEO) offerings by allowing users to quickly customize their communication while experiencing minimal latency during calls," said Joel Thompson, vice president and general manager, terrestrial business unit at Iridium. "We are excited to be recognized by MSUA for enabling simplified communication for emergency response, and we are even more honored to support relief organizations as they make a positive impact on the world."

The key design philosophy behind Iridium PTT is ease of use and accessibility, allowing emergency responders to communicate as they need, not as Iridium dictates. Iridium's PTT Command Center is a dynamic, Web-based tool where users can easily manage talk groups and equipment over the air, without needing to tether the device to a computer. Where other satellite-based PTT services feature high costs and fixed terminals with large, bulky equipment, Iridium PTT offers a low-cost mobile solution for global, low-latency communication. The Iridium Extreme® PTT offers an intuitive and ruggedized handset that supports multiple communications services, while the Iridium PTT 9523 Core transceiver and developer kits enable partners to build specialized devices and expand the use cases for Iridium PTT.

"MSUA believes that mobile innovation and industry cooperation go hand in hand, and Iridium PTT represents those values through its unique communication offering and open development platform," said Catherine Melquist, president of MSUA. "We congratulate Iridium for this inaugural achievement, as they continue their commitment to enabling easy-to-use global communications to emergency response organizations worldwide."

Iridium PTT is available to experience through Iridium's media program. To participate, please email diane.hockenberry@iridium.com. For more information on Iridium PTT, go to www.Iridium.com/IridiumPTT.

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.

Press Contact:

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