Iridium North America Offers New Maritime Equipment Options - Sailor and Skanti smart phones - Product Announcement

Cambridge Telcom Report, Nov 15, 1999

Iridium North America has announced the availability of a broad array of maritime-specific communication devices suitable for virtually any vessel.

These single- and multi-channel equipment configurations complement Iridium North America's product line while expanding the company's reach in the maritime marketplace. The announcement was made at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show.

"Iridium service gives users peace of mind," said Jim Walz, president and chief executive officer, Iridium North America. "Not only is the owner accessible by one phone number, but the global communications availability enhances owner security and safety."

The easily installed and removed equipment offers boaters various configurations from multiple manufacturers, including Motorola, Kyocera, Skanti and Sailor. Handheld and portable versions of the phones are easily moved from vessel to shore, while fixed installations can readily be integrated into a ship's existing PBX system.

With competitive airtime rates and single phone number accessibility, sailors can have complete global communications. The equipment is already available for sale from established Maritime communication providers such as Seven Seas Communications and Stratos.

For users who want the flexibility and reliability of Iridium on their boat while docked or on the open water, the Motorola Satellite Series(a) 9520 mobile phone features a small form factor and an optional Fixed Mast antenna that can be mounted above deck. Current owners of Motorola's handheld satellite phone may want to choose the Motorola Satellite Series(a) 9570 portable docking station.

The docking station features a speakerphone, corded-handset and the ability to be powered by internal batteries or an external source. Users benefit from the flexibility of having one Iridium phone number that follows the user from ship to shore and a convenient place to dock the phone while at sea. Accounting for individual phone calls can be accomplished using SIM cards.

Kyocera, one of the original manufacturers of a handheld Iridium phone, now offers the "Iridium Maritime Phone System(a)." The system features a dock for a satellite-only phone encased in a weatherized enclosure designed to withstand harsh sea environments.

Suitable for commercial installations, crew and passengers alike benefit from this virtual phone booth installed on the craft. External phones connected to the unit allow users to place and receive satellite calls from virtually anywhere on the vessel.

Eurocomm Industries currently offers Sailor(a) and Skanti(a) branded single-channel Iridium phones for installation on a vessel. The phones feature functions especially suited to the maritime market, such as programmable buttons to automatically contact emergency rescue personnel.

In the fourth quarter of 1999, multi-line versions of the Sailor and Skanti phones will be made available, allowing connection with a ship's existing PBX system and enabling multi-phone line capability on the craft. Currently these devices have not been authorized by the rules of the FCC and are not, or may not be offered for sale or lease in the United States until authorization is obtained.

In commercial and industrial markets -- such as fishing, transport, expedition, work boat and research vessels -- crew satisfaction is improved by allowing reliable communication to and from the mainland.

SIM card-based accounting for crew and passenger activities permits charging the actual call cost back to the original caller. In addition, the expanded geographical communications coverage opens up new market opportunities for industrial interests.

Further information about Iridium's maritime equipment can be found on each of the manufacturers' Web sites:

-- Motorola - http://www.motorolasatellite.com
-- Sailor - http://www.sailor.dk
-- Skanti - http://www.skanti.dk
-- Kyocera - http://www.kyocera.com

Iridium North America is the sole owner and operator for Iridium services in North America. Iridium North America is actively selling services through integrated wireless service providers and distribution partners providing customers the ability for unique service that permits any type of voice telephone transmission and text page to reach its destination from land, at sea or in the air, at any time.

Iridium North America has headquarters in Tempe and serves the United States, Bermuda, Guam and Puerto Rico. Iridium North America is backed by telecommunications leaders Motorola Inc., Sprint Corp. and Bell Canada Inc. For additional information regarding the Iridium System, visit the Web site at www.iridium.com or call 888/IRIDIUM.