Press Release
Issued by Iridium Communications.
June 15, 2007
Iridium Satellite today reported continued strong growth for its mobile satellite communications services in the aeronautical sector, with the number of subscribers up 60 percent from this time last year. During the same time period, Iridium's total subscriber growth across all markets was 24 percent.
Iridium's compound annual growth rate in aero subscribers over the last four years was 73 percent. The growth rate of new commissionings of Iridium aeronautical terminals is accelerating every month, according to the latest metrics released by Iridium.
"Our rapid growth in the aeronautical sector is buoyed by a strong aviation industry and driven by new innovative solutions from our distribution partners tailored to meet market requirements for reliable, cost-effective aeronautical voice and data communications," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite. "Iridium's value proposition is unique to the industry. It is the only mobile satellite network providing ubiquitous pole-to-pole coverage using a low-cost, lightweight, low-drag avionics and antenna package."
"Much of our growth is currently coming from helicopter fleets, many of which are installing Iridium-based automatic flight following (AFF) equipment to meet new government regulations and improve operational efficiency," said Ewert. "Commercial carriers are also moving to Iridium for cost-effective AFF solutions as well as voice and data communications. In the business jet sector, which has been a mainstay of our aero business for the last few years, some of the largest airframe manufacturers are now offering Iridium with the standard factory-installed OEM avionics package."
New Service Partner
Astrium Services, a subsidiary of EADS Space, has signed an agreement to become a value-added reseller (VAR) of Iridium satellite communication equipment and services. Under the VAR agreement, Astrium Services will offer Iridium-based satellite voice and data solutions through other EADS companies for a wide range of international defense and commercial customers. Astrium Services will become the Iridium "center of excellence" within the EADS group and will work with other EADS Space companies to package Iridium solutions for a variety of EADS platforms.
"The new partnership with EADS will spearhead our penetration of the international defense marketplace," said Ewert. "There is a pressing requirement for secure and reliable over-the-horizon communications for voice, data and – increasingly – automatic asset tracking in this arena."
Aeronautical Safety Services
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has approved draft Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) covering the use of Iridium for Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service, or AMS(R)S. The ICAO Aeronautical Communications Council recently approved Iridium's Technical and Implementation Manuals and validated the draft SARP document. Full ICAO approval is expected in November, paving the way for rapid deployment of Iridium-based AMS(R)S platforms early next year to meet the anticipated demand for reliable, low-cost alternatives in safety communications for aircraft on high-latitude routes.
Iridium NEXT
Earlier this year, the company announced its Iridium NEXT initiative to launch an aggressive R&D program to define and develop a new satellite constellation. Iridium envisions an IP-based broadband network that will leverage new satellite and wireless technologies to provide powerful new devices and services for commercial and government users. The next-generation satellite constellation will come into service in 2016. In the meantime, Iridium is taking steps to enhance and improve the reliability and robustness of the existing satellite constellation. A new Iridium gateway in China will come into service by the end of this year, and a new telemetry, tracking and command/control station is being opened in Norway.
Highlights of Past Six Months in the Aeronautical Satcom Sector
• Cathay Pacific Airways installed Iridium terminals on seven of its Boeing 747-200 jets, using an integrated voice and data solution developed by ARINC and International Communications Group (ICG), an Iridium value-added manufacturer (VAM) and VAR.
• Continental Airlines outfitted nine B737-800 passenger aircraft with Avionica's satLINK Iridium system, including antenna, wiring, structural elements and a control panel. The initial installations will provide an Iridium phone handset in the cockpit, which is expected to be augmented by a wireless cabin handset and integration with the aircraft's communications management unit (CMU) with a mid-year upgrade. Avionica is an Iridium VAM and VAR.
• El Al Airlines has installed Iridium satellite phone systems supplied by Gilat Satcom, and is offering a unique scratch-card prepaid phone service for passengers. The system also transmits flight data from the cockpit to El Al's ground operations center.
• Gulfstream Aerospace has announced plans to install Iridium terminals from ICG as standard equipment on the new G150tm executive high-speed business jets. The Gulfstream jets will be fitted with dual-channel Iridium systems for two-way voice, fax and data communications. The Challenger 605 series widebody business jets are also getting similar equipment.
• Eclipse Aviation is offering Iridium satellite communications as a standard option for the new Eclipse 500 very light jet. The system will transmit operational data, including timing of departures and arrivals, as well as maintenance status of the aircraft and its subsystems. Eclipse has been appointed an Iridium VAM and VAR.
• Skytrac, an Iridium VAR, has announced a number of commercial helicopter fleet orders in recent months, including Yellowhead Helicopters, Skyline Helicopters, Pacific Western Helicopters, Calgary Police Air Services, Los Angeles County Fire Department and Brunei Shell Helicopters. The helicopters are being fitted with Skytrac's integrated AFF and communication products.
• Air Logistics, one of the largest U.S. helicopter fleets serving the offshore oil industry, is equipping 125 aircraft with Iridium-based systems supplied by Sky Connect, a VAM and VAR. Sky Connect is installing its Mission Management Unit (MMU) to provide voice, tracking and text messages with a single-switch control. Sky Connect also recently announced an order for similar equipment from Prism Helicopters.
