Astrium Services to distribute Iridium Satellite equipment and services

Under the VAR agreement, Astrium Services is authorized to package Iridium-based satellite voice and data solutions for a wide range of international defence and commercial customers.

Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite, said, "EADS is a major powerhouse in the international aerospace and defence industry, and this VAR agreement will leverage Iridium's product portfolio across Astrium Services' commercial and military business units to a global market."

Eric Beranger, chief executive officer of Astrium Services, said, "This agreement will allow us to integrate Iridium into our mix of satellite and terrestrial telecommunications packages for customers worldwide. Iridium's ubiquitous worldwide coverage and reliable low-latency satellite links will provide an important augmentation to our military satcom programmes and other satellite networks."

Astrium Services will become the Iridium "centre of excellence" within the EADS group and will work with other EADS Astrium companies to package Iridium solutions for a variety of applications, according to Beranger.

Iridium Satellite Llc is the only provider of global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and polar regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas, where no other form of communication is available.

The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium also provides service to the US Department of Defense.