What's NEXT?

In February 2007, Iridium announced a bold vision called "Iridium NEXT." NEXT will replace the company's current satellite constellation with an even more powerful system -- before Iridium's high quality of service is ever compromised due to constellation age. This new system is currently under development by Iridium system engineers in conjunction with a number of experienced aerospace companies. Specifications are being written, and suppliers are expected to sign up sometime in 2008. Funding for the new system will largely come from the profits of the existing system, with any additional capital raised via public and private concerns. While NEXT hasn't been completely specified yet, there are a number of important principles Iridium is incorporating into in its design:

• 66 new cross-linked, secure satellites in a similar architecture to today's system and covering 100 percent of the globe.
• Seamless backward compatibility with current handsets and devices.
• End-to-end IP technology for easy integration into existing enterprises and applications.
• Interface with new, powerful devices that can deliver more bandwidth as needed to customers - flexibly and cost effectively.

The NEXT vision goes beyond traditional mobile satellite systems and creates a number of powerful new business opportunities for customers and partners:

• Secondary payloads - Iridium will work together with a select group of partners to launch additional payloads into space, utilizing Iridium's cross-links to deliver sensor and other data from anywhere on the globe to any other point.
• Imaging - we envision building several potential camera systems on our satellites to take advantage of our planetary coverage to provide real-time low-resolution images of the Earth to new customers.
• Iridium can be used to provide a cost effective data link to other satellites in space - enabling command and control of other critical space assets regardless of the position of ground stations and gateways.
• Operationally Responsive Space - Iridium can enable customers to quickly get payloads into space as needs require, given our launch schedule for the initial constellation and future replacement satellites and spares.

More information will be released about Iridium NEXT as the system is designed and manufacturing and technology partners are selected. We will be providing current customers information on the new constellation as we get closer, but are anticipating that the transition to NEXT will be seamless and unnoticeable as customers continuously use our service.