Iridium Satellite Signs Telenor

Iridium Satellite LLC announced that Oslo, Norway-based Telenor Satellite Services has signed a service provider agreement to market and sell Iridium services. Under the agreement, Telenor will offer Iridium's voice and data services through its extensive worldwide dealer network. The agreement further strengthens Iridium's global network and user base while complementing Telenor's comprehensive portfolio of satellite communications solutions. "The addition of Telenor to Iridium's roster of service partners supports our ongoing strategy to provide organizations and individuals with remote communications capabilities that are not available from terrestrial-based wireless services," said Gino Picasso, CEO of Iridium Satellite LLC. "Telenor's industry leadership in markets where we have a strong customer base makes for a mutually beneficial partnership." Iridium already had an existing relationship with Marlink, a leading provider of satellite communications for the maritime community, launched by Telenor Satellite Services in March 2002. As part of the agreement, Iridium will work with all of Telenor Satellite Services' business units including Telenor Satellite Services, Inc. in the United States and Marlink. Iridium Satellite LLC, which bought the assets of Iridium LLC out of bankruptcy in December 2000, launched global voice services in March 2001 and added ubiquitous Internet connectivity in June. The company recently launched five additional spare satellites and is scheduled to launch another two satellites this month to ensure the lifespan of the constellation, currently estimated to have at least eight more years of operational life.