• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Astrium Services Signs Distribution Agreement With Iridium(R) Satellite

Posted on: Monday, 11 June 2007, 12:00 CDT

BETHESDA, Md., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium(R) Satellite today announced that Astrium Services, a subsidiary of EADS Astrium, has signed an agreement to become a value-added reseller (VAR) of Iridium satellite communication 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 defense 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 programs and other satellite networks."

Astrium Services will become the Iridium "center 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.

About Iridium Satellite

Iridium Satellite LLC (http://www.iridium.com/) is the only provider of truly 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 provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.

About Astrium Services

Astrium Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium, develops and promotes satellite services concentrating on secure communications and navigation. As the European "one-stop-shop" provider for milsatcom services, Astrium Services meets its customers' requirements with innovative and highly competitive end-to-end solutions.

EADS Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defense space systems and services. In 2006, EADS Astrium had a turnover of euro 3.2 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of euro 39.4 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116,000.

Iridium

CONTACT: Liz DeCastro of Iridium Satellite LLC, +1-301-571-6257,liz.decastro@iridium.com; or Jim Rhodes of Rhodes Communications,+1-757-451-0602, jrhodes@rhodescomm.com

Web site: http://www.iridium.com/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category