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In addition, we have entered into an agreement with L3Harris Technologies, Inc., or L3Harris, the manufacturer of the Aireon hosted payload, pursuant to which L3Harris pays us fees to allocate the remaining hosted payload capacity to its customers and data service fees on behalf of these customers.
−Removed: Our commercial business, which we view as our primary source of long-term growth, is diverse and serves markets such as emergency services, maritime, aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction and transportation.
+Added: Our commercial business, which we view as our primary source of long-term growth, is diverse and serves markets such as emergency services, maritime, aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction, railways and other transportation.
Many of our end users view our products and services as critical to their daily operations and integral to their communications and business infrastructure.
−Removed: For example, multinational corporations in various sectors use our services for business telephony, e-mail and data transfer, including telematics, and to provide mobile communications services for employees in areas inadequately served by other telecommunications networks.
+Added: For example, multinational corporations in various sectors use our services for business telephony, e-mail and data transfer, including telematics and personal location tracking, and to provide mobile communications services for employees in areas inadequately served by other telecommunications networks.
Commercial enterprises use our services to track assets in remote areas and provide telematics information such as location and engine diagnostics.
Ship crews and passengers use our services for ship-to-shore calling, as well as to send and receive e-mail and data files, and to receive electronic media, weather reports, emergency bulletins and electronic charts.
−Removed: Shipping operators use our services to manage operations on board ships and to transmit data, such as course, speed and fuel stock.
−Removed: Aviation end users use our services for air-to-ground telephony and data communications for position reporting, emergency tracking, weather information, electronic flight bag updates and airline operational communications.
+Added: Shipping operators use our services to manage operations on board ships and to transmit data, such as course, speed, fuel, weather and other navigation service data.
+Added: Aviation end users use our services for air-to-ground telephony and data communications for position reporting, flight following, emergency tracking, weather information, electronic flight bag updates, and airline operational communications.
+Added: Explorers and adventurers use our services as a safety and critical
+Added: communications lifeline to remain in contact with friends and family, as well as for emergency distress signals.
We expect that Iridium Certus, launched in January 2019, will continue to drive growth opportunities in our commercial business.
−Removed: With initial broadband services provided for the maritime
−Removed: and land-mobile industries, Iridium Certus offers the flexibility to scale device speeds, sizes and power requirements both up and down based on the needs of the end-user.
+Added: With initial broadband services provided for the maritime and land-mobile industries, Iridium Certus offers the flexibility to scale device speeds, sizes and power requirements both up and down based on the needs of the end-user.
It provides a platform for our partners to develop specialized broadband, narrowband and midband (a term we use to describe services between our legacy 2.4 Kbps narrowband and our 128 Kbps and higher broadband offerings) applications on our network.
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government under separate arrangements for an additional fee.
−Removed: In addition, we intend to invest approximately $10-$12 million over the next three years in support of the U.S.
+Added: In addition, we intend to invest approximately $10-$12 million over the first three years of our Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services, or EMSS, contract in support of the U.S.
government to implement enhanced services at its dedicated gateway, which will be accounted for as additional cost of services.
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government has made, and continues to make, significant investments to upgrade its dedicated gateway, to purchase our voice and data devices, and to invest directly and indirectly in research and development and implementation support for additional services on our network, such as Distributed Tactical Communications Services, or DTCS, and Iridium Certus.
−Removed: We sell our products and services to commercial end users primarily through a wholesale distribution network, encompassing approximately 100 service providers, approximately 260 value-added resellers, or VARs, and approximately 90 value-added manufacturers, or VAMs, which create and sell technology that uses the Iridium network either directly to the end user or indirectly through other service providers, VARs or dealers.
+Added: We sell our products and services to commercial end users through a wholesale distribution network, encompassing approximately 125 service providers, approximately 285 value-added resellers, or VARs, and approximately 90 value-added manufacturers, or VAMs, which create and sell technology that uses the Iridium network either directly to the end user or indirectly through other service providers, VARs or dealers.
These distributors often integrate our products and services with other complementary hardware and software and have developed a broad suite of applications using our products and services to target specific lines of business.
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Mobile satellite services operators provide voice and data services to people and machines using a network of satellites and ground facilities.
−Removed: Mobile satellite services are intended to meet users’ needs for connectivity in all locations where terrestrial wireless and wireline communications networks do not exist, do not provide sufficient coverage, or are impaired.
−Removed: Further, many regions of the world benefit from satellite networks, such as rural and developing areas that lack adequate wireless or wireline networks, airways, ocean and polar regions where few alternatives exist, and regions where the telecommunications infrastructure has been affected by political conflicts or natural disasters.
+Added: Mobile satellite services are intended to meet users’ needs for connectivity in all locations where terrestrial wireless and wireline communications networks do not exist, do not provide sufficient coverage, or are impaired, including rural and developing areas that lack adequate wireless or wireline networks, airways, ocean and polar regions where few alternatives exist, and regions where the telecommunications infrastructure has been affected by political conflicts or natural disasters.
Government organizations, including military and intelligence agencies and disaster response agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industrial operations and support teams depend on mobile and fixed voice and data satellite communications services on a regular basis.
Businesses with global operations require reliable communications services when operating in remote locations around the world.
−Removed: Mobile satellite services users span many sectors, including emergency services, maritime, aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction and transportation, among others.
+Added: Mobile satellite services users span many sectors, including emergency services, maritime,
+Added: aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction, railways and other transportation, among others.
Many of our customers view satellite communications services as critical to their daily operations.
We believe that increasing mobile penetration creates additional demand for mobile satellite services.
−Removed: According to a 2019 study by the GSM Association, total mobile connections, excluding cellular Internet of Things, or IoT, reached 7.9 billion throughout the world as of the end of 2018 and are projected to reach 9.2 billion by 2025.
+Added: According to a 2020 study by the GSM Association, unique mobile subscribers, excluding cellular Internet of Things, or IoT, reached 5.2 billion throughout the world as of the end of 2019 and are projected to reach 5.8 billion by 2025.
We believe that growth in the terrestrial wireless industry has increased awareness of the need for reliable mobile voice and data communications services.
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and SES S.A., are characterized by large, often stationary or fixed ground terminals that send and receive high-bandwidth signals to and from the satellite network for video and high-speed data customers and international telephone markets.
−Removed: By contrast, mobile satellite services providers, such as us, Inmarsat plc, Globalstar, Inc., and ORBCOMM Inc.
+Added: By contrast, mobile satellite services providers, such as us, Inmarsat Global Limited, Globalstar, Inc., and ORBCOMM Inc.
focus more on voice and data services, where mobility and small-sized terminals are essential.
−Removed: A LEO system, such as the system we operate, generally has lower transmission delays, or latency, than a GEO system, such as that operated by Inmarsat, due to the shorter distance signals have to travel, which also enables the use of smaller antennas on mobile devices.
+Added: LEO systems, such as the one we operate, generally have lower transmission delays, or latency, than GEO systems, such as that operated by Inmarsat, due to the shorter distance signals have to travel, which also enables the use of smaller antennas on mobile devices.
We believe the unique interlinked mesh architecture of our constellation, combined with the global footprint of our satellites, distinguishes us from regional LEO satellite operators such as Globalstar and ORBCOMM, by allowing us to route voice and data transmissions to and from anywhere on the earth’s surface without the need for local ground infrastructure.
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• Our Constellation.
−Removed: Our recently upgraded satellite constellation enables our Iridium Certus offerings, empowers the development of a range of new global products and services, and supports Aireon’s aircraft tracking service, as well as other hosted payload missions.
+Added: Our upgraded satellite constellation enables our Iridium Certus offerings, empowers the development of a range of new global products and services, and supports Aireon’s aircraft tracking service, as well as other hosted payload missions.
• Attractive and growing markets.
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• Wholesale distribution network.
−Removed: The specialized needs of our global end users span many markets, including emergency services, maritime, aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction and transportation.
+Added: The specialized needs of our global end users span many markets, including emergency services, maritime, aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction, railways and other transportation.
We sell our products and services to commercial end users through a wholesale distribution network of service providers, VARs and VAMs, which often specialize in a particular line of business.
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Iridium Certus services will include background IP data, streaming IP data, high quality voice, messaging, and safety services, including Global Maritime Distress Safety System, or GMDSS, and Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service, or AMS(R)S.
−Removed: During 2019 we also introduced Iridium CloudConnect, a cloud-based solution with Amazon Web Services offering simpler development and truly global coverage for IoT applications, and announced a Memorandum of Understanding with OneWeb to work together toward a combined and complementary service offering .
+Added: During 2020 we also introduced Iridium Edge Pro ® , which allows partners to create and run their own custom-made IoT applications, and Iridium Edge Solar, a self-charging, low-maintenance, long-field-life IoT product with over-the-air configuration capabilities, and launched Iridium GMDSS service.
• Accelerate the development of personal communications capabilities .
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• Continued growth in services provided to the U.S.
−Removed: In September 2019, we executed a seven-year Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services, or EMSS, contract managed by Air Force Space Command.
+Added: In 2019 we entered into a multi-year, fixed-price contract with the U.S.
+Added: Space Force for Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services, or the EMSS Contract.
Under the terms of this agreement, we provide Iridium airtime services, including unlimited global standard and secure voice, paging, fax, Short Burst Data ® , Iridium Burst ® , RUDICS and DTCS services for an unlimited number of Department of Defense and other federal government subscribers.
−Removed: The service fee under the EMSS contract is $100 million for the current contract year and increases thereafter.
+Added: The fixed-price rate for the current year of the EMSS contract is $103 million, with increases thereafter.
Other services such as Iridium Certus and Satellite Time and Location provide us with opportunities to offer new products and services to the U.S.
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NAV CANADA, Enav (Italy), NATS (United Kingdom), Naviair (Denmark) and the Irish Aviation Authority.
−Removed: Aireon has developed an ADS-B receiver payload which is hosted on our satellites and gathers ADS-B position information from aircraft to provide a global air traffic surveillance service.
−Removed: Aireon has contracted to offer its service to ANSPs and other commercial customers worldwide.
−Removed: The FAA recently signed an agreement to begin deploying the Aireon system in the Caribbean airspace beginning in 2020 and has stated it is evaluating plans to expand its usage of Aireon to other areas as well.
+Added: Aireon developed an ADS-B receiver payload which is hosted on our satellites and gathers ADS-B position information from aircraft to provide a global air traffic surveillance service.
+Added: Aireon has contracted to offer its service to ANSPs, the FAA, and other commercial customers worldwide.
Aireon has also contracted to pay us a fee to host their payloads on our satellites and pays us data service fees for the delivery of the air traffic surveillance data from those payloads over the Iridium system.
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government and international government agencies may purchase additional services as well as our products and related applications through our network of distributors.
−Removed: We provide our distributors with support services, including assistance with coordinating end user sales and marketing, strategic planning and training, and second-tier customer support, as well as helping them respond to new opportunities for our products and services.
+Added: We provide our distributors with support services, including assistance with coordinating end user sales and marketing, strategic planning and training, and second-tier customer support, as well as helping them market our products and services and respond to new business opportunities.
We have representatives covering three regions around the world to better manage our distributor relationships:
the Americas, which includes North, South and Central America;
−Removed: Asia Pacific, which includes Australia and Asia;
+Added: Asia Pacific, which includes
+Added: Australia and Asia;
and Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia.
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and Zunibal S.A.
−Removed: We also sell our products to VAMs, who integrate our transceivers into their proprietary hardware.
+Added: We also sell our products to VAMs, who integrate our transceivers or chipsets into their proprietary hardware.
These VAMs produce specialized end-user equipment, including integrated ship, vehicular and aviation communications systems, and global asset tracking devices, which they offer to end users in IoT, maritime, aviation and government markets.
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We typically provide technical information to these companies on our products and services, which they then use to develop software and hardware that complements our products and services in line with the specifications of our VARs and VAMs.
−Removed: These products include handset docking stations, airline tracking and flight management applications and crew e-mail
−Removed: applications for the maritime industry.
+Added: These products include handset docking stations, airline tracking and flight management applications and crew e-mail applications for the maritime industry.
We believe that working with VADs allows us to create new platforms for our products and services and increases our market opportunity while reducing our overall research and development, marketing and support expenses.
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We provide airtime and airtime support to U.S.
−Removed: government and other authorized customers pursuant to our seven-year EMSS contract managed by Air Force Space Command, which we entered into in September 2019.
+Added: government and other authorized customers pursuant to our seven-year EMSS contract managed by the U.S.
+Added: Space Force, which we entered into in September 2019.
Under the terms of this agreement, authorized customers utilize our airtime services through the U.S.
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Other services may be purchased at an additional cost.
−Removed: The fixed-price rate for the contract is currently $100 million per contract year, with increases in annual value resulting in a total contract value of $738.5 million over the seven-year term.
+Added: The fixed-price rate for the current year of the EMSS contract is $103 million, with increases in annual value resulting in a total contract value of $738.5 million over the seven-year term.
While we sell airtime directly to the U.S.
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government under separate arrangements for an additional fee.
−Removed: In addition, we intend to invest approximately $10-$12 million over the next three years in support of the U.S.
+Added: In addition, we intend to invest approximately $10-$12 million over the first three years of the EMSS contract in support of the U.S.
government to implement enhanced services at its dedicated gateway, which will be accounted for as additional cost of services.
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We also provide maintenance services for the U.S.
−Removed: government gateway pursuant to our Gateway Maintenance and Support Services, or GMSS, contract managed by Air Force Space Command.
−Removed: This agreement, effective April 2019, provides for a six-month base term and four one-year options, the first of which has been exercised, for a total value of the contract to us of approximately $54 million.
+Added: government gateway pursuant to our Gateway Maintenance and Support Services, or GMSS, contract managed by the U.S.
+Added: This agreement, effective April 2019, provides for a six-month base term and four one-year options, the first two of which have been exercised, for a total value of the contract to us of approximately $54 million.
Pursuant to federal acquisition regulations, the U.S.
government may terminate the GMSS contract, in whole or in part, at any time.
−Removed: In October 2019, we were also awarded a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, or IDIQ, contract managed by Air Force Space Command to enable ongoing innovation and enhancements for the U.S.
+Added: In October 2019, we were also awarded a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, or IDIQ, contract managed by the U.S.
+Added: Space Force to enable ongoing innovation and enhancements for the U.S.
government gateway.
−Removed: This contract has a one-year base period and four one-year options, with a value of up to $76 million to us over the five-year period.
+Added: This contract has a one-year base period and four one-year options, the first of which has been exercised, with a value of up to $76 million to us over the five-year period.
Pursuant to federal acquisition regulations, the U.S.
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Our current principal vertical lines of business include land mobile, maritime, aviation, IoT, hosted payloads and other data services, and U.S.
−Removed: Land mobile, maritime and aviation are the principal contributors to the revenue we report as commercial voice and data.
−Removed: We report commercial voice and data service, IoT data service, hosted payload and other data service, and government service revenue separately.
−Removed: Since we introduced Iridium Certus broadband in January of 2019, Iridium Certus services have accounted for an increasing portion of our revenue, and we expect that trend to continue.
−Removed: As we continue to grow our Iridium Certus service revenue, we expect to begin separately reporting commercial Iridium Certus broadband revenue with Iridium OpenPort ® service revenue as a broadband revenue line item.
−Removed: Currently, Iridium Certus broadband revenue and Iridium OpenPort service revenue are included in commercial voice and data revenue.
−Removed: Commercial Voice and Data
+Added: We report commercial voice and data service, IoT data service, commercial broadband, hosted payload and other data service, and government service revenue separately.
+Added: Land mobile and aviation are the principal contributors to the revenue we report as commercial voice and data, while maritime is primarily reported in commercial
+Added: broadband revenue.
+Added: Since we introduced Iridium Certus broadband in January 2019, Iridium Certus services have accounted for an increasing portion of our revenue, and we expect that trend to continue.
+Added: Commercial Voice and Data and Commercial Broadband
+Added: We offer commercial voice and data and commercial broadband services primarily in the land mobile, maritime, and aviation sectors.
+Added: Beginning in 2020, we separately reported commercial Iridium Certus broadband revenue with Iridium OpenPort ® service revenue as commercial broadband revenue, and prior year periods have been conformed to this presentation in our financial information included in this report.
+Added: Previously, Iridium Certus broadband revenue and Iridium OpenPort service revenue were included in commercial voice and data revenue.
+Added: Because there is considerable overlap in these sectors, we continue to combine our discussion of these revenue lines in this report, noting within the discussion where our broadband services contribute, particularly in maritime.
We are the leading provider of mobile satellite communications services to the land mobile sector, providing handset services to areas not served or inconsistently served by existing terrestrial communications networks.
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We believe that demand for mobile communications devices operating outside the coverage of terrestrial networks, combined with our small, lightweight, durable handsets with true global coverage, will allow us to capitalize on growth opportunities among these users.
−Removed: In addition, we expect Iridium Certus land mobile units to be attractive in this market, as the combination of price, speeds, equipment, service costs and durability of equipment are expected to address a distinct market need.
+Added: In addition, we believe Iridium Certus broadband land mobile units are attractive in this market, as the combination of price, speeds, equipment, service costs and durability of equipment addresses a distinct market need.
+Added: We also expect Iridium Certus midband services to be a source of revenue growth in the coming years.
Our land mobile end users utilize our satellite communications services for:
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In addition, a number of recreational, scientific and other outdoor users rely on our mobile handheld satellite phones and services for use when beyond terrestrial wireless coverage.
−Removed: Iridium PTT offers military, first responder, oil and gas, civil government and other users the ability to hold group calls using the Iridium Extreme ® PTT handset or other devices developed by our VAMs and VARs using the Iridium 9523 PTT core transceiver.
+Added: Iridium PTT offers non-governmental organizations (NGOs), military, first responder, oil and gas, civil government and other users the ability to hold group calls using the Iridium Extreme ® PTT handset or other devices developed by our VAMs and VARs using the Iridium 9523 PTT core transceiver.
The Thales MissionLINK terminal, the first Iridium Certus offering in the land mobile area, allows rapid deployment and on-the-move communications, location tracking and telemetry.
+Added: We expect to introduce additional offerings, including Iridium Certus midband services in 2021.
• Mobile and remote office connectivity :
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• Public safety and disaster relief :
−Removed: Relief agencies, such as FEMA, and other agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, use our products and services in their emergency response plans, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria and the 2017 Mexico City area earthquake and in places like Puerto Rico after the 2017 hurricanes.
+Added: Relief agencies, such as FEMA, and other agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, use our products and services in their emergency response plans, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricanes Dorian, Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the 2017 Mexico City area earthquake.
These agencies generate significant demand for both our voice and data products, especially in advance of the hurricane season in North America.
• Public telephone infrastructure :
−Removed: Telecommunications service providers use our services to satisfy regulatory mandates and government expectations regarding the availability of communications services for rural populations currently not
−Removed: served by terrestrial infrastructure.
+Added: Telecommunications service providers use our services to satisfy regulatory mandates and government expectations regarding the availability of communications services for rural populations currently not served by terrestrial infrastructure.
Telstra Corporation, for example, uses our services to provide communications services in some of Australia’s most remote locations.
We serve the commercial maritime market with a variety of products, including broadband terminals, embedded devices and handsets.
−Removed: This market space includes merchant shipping, fishing, research vessels and specialized watercraft.
+Added: This market includes merchant shipping, fishing, leisure research vessels and specialized watercraft.
Traditionally, the majority of our revenue from the maritime market has been derived from shipboard data terminals including the Iridium Pilot ® , which uses the Iridium OpenPort high-speed voice and data service.
−Removed: Since we introduced Iridium Certus broadband in January of 2019, Iridium Certus services have accounted for an increasing portion of our revenue from this market, and we expect that trend to continue.
+Added: Since we introduced Iridium Certus broadband in January 2019, Iridium Certus services have accounted for an increasing portion of our revenue from this market, and we expect that trend to continue.
Our products and services targeting the maritime market typically have high average revenue per subscriber.
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We believe demand for higher-speed, low-cost data services will allow us to capitalize on opportunities in this market.
−Removed: We believe Iridium Certus, which offers data speeds of up to 704 Kbps, presents a superior communication solution to users in the maritime market.
+Added: We believe Iridium Certus, which offers data speeds of up to 704 Kbps, presents a superior communication solution to L-band users in the maritime market.
We expect this offering to increase the addressable market for our maritime services.
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• Vessel management and asset tracking :
−Removed: Shipping operators, such as China Ocean Shipping Company, or COSCO, and Briese Schiffahrts GmbH, use our services to manage operations on ships and to transmit data, such as course, speed and fuel stock.
+Added: Shipping operators, such as Briese Schiffahrts GmbH, use our services to manage operations on ships and to transmit data, such as course, speed and fuel stock.
Our services are commonly integrated with GPS to provide a real-time position reporting capability.
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We have been recognized by the IMO as a provider for the GMDSS.
−Removed: Our partners will offer maritime terminals that include GMDSS service capabilities to vessel operators, and we expect GMDSS service using our network to be available for those terminals later in 2020, once we have completed the implementation process.
+Added: GMDSS service using our network became available in 2020, and our partners offer maritime terminals that include GMDSS service capabilities to vessel operators.
We are one of the leading providers of mobile satellite communications services to the aviation sector.
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As a result of authorizations by the FAA and U.S.
−Removed: Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, for us to provide air traffic datalink communications, commercial operators are installing avionics that use the Iridium network on the flight deck to comply with international air navigation communications requirements to operate in oceanic and remote airspace, including polar regions.
+Added: Communications Commission, or FCC, for us to provide air traffic datalink communications, commercial operators are installing avionics that use the Iridium network on the flight deck to comply with international air navigation communications requirements to operate in oceanic and remote airspace, including polar regions.
Voice and data avionics platforms from our VAMs have been adopted as standard equipment and as factory options for a range of airframes in business aviation and air transport, such as Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Bombardier Inc., Cessna Aircraft Company, Boeing and Airbus.
Avionics platforms that utilize our network are also retrofitted on thousands of corporate and commercial aircraft already in operation.
+Added: The global aviation community in particular has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to combat it.
+Added: Global flight movements partially recovered during the last three quarters of 2020, gaining back approximately 50% of lost traffic levels from the low point in mid-April by year end.
+Added: We expect to see continued recovery in the aviation sector in 2021, as COVID vaccine availability increases;
+Added: however, it is likely that air traffic will not fully recover for a number of years.
+Added: Charter or private jet usage has increased in this same period, and many commercial aircraft have been converted to cargo aircraft given the demand.
+Added: In addition, rotorcraft and unmanned aerial vehicle usage has remained relatively flat in this period.
+Added: We continue to see aviation as an area of growth for us as it recovers from these effects.
Aviation end users utilize our satellite communications services for:
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Aircraft crew and ground operations use our services for air-to-ground telephony and data communications.
−Removed: This includes the automatic reporting of an aircraft’s position and mission-critical condition data to the ground and CPDLC for clearance and information services.
−Removed: We provide critical communications applications for numerous airlines and air transport customers including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, UPS, Cathay Pacific Airways and El Al Airlines.
+Added: This includes the ADS-C automatic reporting of an aircraft’s position and mission-critical condition data to the ground and CPDLC for clearance and information services.
+Added: We provide critical communications applications for numerous airlines and air transport customers including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, UPS, Cathay Pacific Airways, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and El Al Airlines.
These operators rely on our services because other forms of communication may be unaffordable or unreliable in areas such as the polar regions.
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Our IoT services are used for:
+Added: • Personal tracking devices and location-based services :
+Added: Several of our VAMs and VARs, such as Garmin, NAL Research and Somewear Labs, market small, portable devices that provide personal tracking and data communications services to consumers and commercial end users.
+Added: In addition, Iridium GO!
+Added: and the Iridium Extreme handsets offer personal tracking and location-based services.
+Added: These devices use IoT data services to send location information and other data to web-based portals for tracking.
• Heavy equipment monitoring:
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Our global coverage permits our products and services to be used to monitor the location of vehicle fleets, hours of service and engine telemetry data, as well as to conduct two-way communications with drivers around the world.
−Removed: Fleet management companies, such as Trimble Transportation & Logistics, Mix Telematics and Zatix, use our service to provide distance drivers with reliable communication to their dispatchers and their destinations to coordinate changing business needs, and our satellite network provides continuous communications coverage while they are in transit.
+Added: Fleet management companies, such as Trimble Transportation & Logistics, Mix Telematics and Zatix, use our service to provide distance drivers with reliable communications to their dispatchers and their destinations to coordinate changing business needs, and our satellite network provides continuous communications coverage while they are in transit.
We expect that the need for more efficient, cost-effective and safer fleet operations, as well as the imposition of regulatory mandates related to driver safety, such as drive-time monitoring, will increase demand for our services in this area.
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Our global coverage and data throughput capabilities support natural resource management applications, such as fisheries management systems.
−Removed: CLS, MetOcean Telematics and Rock Seven, three of our VARs, have developed applications for the fishing industry that enable regulatory compliance of fishing practices in a number of countries around the world.
+Added: Three of our VARs—CLS, MetOcean Telematics and Rock Seven—have developed applications for the fishing industry that enable regulatory compliance of fishing practices in a number of countries around the world.
• Scientific data monitoring :
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We believe the increased need for monitoring climate and environmental data associated with global climate change and human impact on the planet will increase demand for these services.
−Removed: Personal Tracking Devices and Location-Based Services :
−Removed: Several of our VAMs and VARs, such as Garmin, NAL Research and Somewear Labs, market small, portable personal tracking devices that provide personal tracking and data communications services to consumers and commercial end users.
−Removed: In addition, Iridium GO!
−Removed: and the Iridium Extreme handsets offer personal tracking and location-based services.
−Removed: These devices use IoT data services to send location information and other data to web-based portals for tracking of and messaging with users.
In the future, we expect our value-added partners to develop new IoT solutions with increased capabilities based on our Iridium Certus 9770 transceiver and other future midband devices we plan to provide across all of our key IoT vertical markets.
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These services are then generally sold to subscribers in the form of prepaid e-vouchers and scratch cards that enable subscribers to use our services on a per-minute basis.
−Removed: We believe service providers and VARs are drawn to these services because they enable greater cost control by eliminating the need for monthly billings and reducing collection costs, and can be sold in countries where credit may not be readily available for end users.
+Added: We believe service providers and VARs are drawn to these services
+Added: because they enable greater cost control by eliminating the need for monthly billings and reducing collection costs, and can be sold in countries where credit may not be readily available for end users.
Our distributors often offer our prepaid voice services through fixed devices to subscribers in rural villages, at remote industrial, commercial and residential sites, and on ships at sea, among other places.
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Building on the foundation of DTCS technology, which provides regional tactical radio service to U.S.
−Removed: government users, our Iridium PTT service enables regional or global PTT calls among users on the same talkgroup in up to 10 geographically disparate locations around the world, providing a fast and robust communication experience.
+Added: government users, our Iridium PTT service enables regional or global PTT calls among users on the same talkgroup in up to 10 customer-defined, geographically disparate locations around the world, providing a fast and robust communication experience.
Iridium PTT can be used via the Iridium Extreme PTT satellite phone or the Iridium 9523 PTT core transceiver, which gives our VAMs the ability to build Iridium PTT into existing land mobile, maritime and aviation communications platforms.
−Removed: We and our partners are also developing interoperability solutions for existing terrestrial land mobile radio systems, which will further extend the utility of the service.
For example, Icom Inc.
of Japan has developed the first purpose-built satellite PTT radio handheld unit for use on the Iridium network.
+Added: We and our partners are also developing interoperability solutions for existing terrestrial land mobile radio systems, which will further extend the utility of the service.
Broadband Data Services
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Ultimately, Iridium Certus is designed to support a variety of cost points, antenna types and data speeds ranging from midband to broadband speeds as high as 1.4 Mbps.
−Removed: We have licensed the Iridium Certus technology to an initial group of VAMs who have introduced products for the maritime and land mobile markets and are developing additional products for those markets and the aviation and government markets, as well as distribution partners for the Iridium Certus service in each of these vertical markets.
−Removed: We believe Iridium Certus provides a competitive, cost-effective and reliable range of narrowband and broadband services to the market, in standalone applications or as a complement to other wireless technologies for critical applications and safety services.
+Added: We have licensed the Iridium Certus technology to VAMs who have introduced products for the maritime and land mobile markets and are developing additional products for those markets and the aviation and government markets, as well as distribution partners for the Iridium Certus service in each of these vertical markets.
+Added: We believe Iridium Certus provides a competitive, cost-effective and reliable range of services to the market, in standalone applications or as a complement to other wireless technologies for critical applications and safety services.
We also offer Iridium OpenPort, which provides maritime, aviation and terrestrial users speeds of up to 134 Kbps and three independent voice lines.
1 unchanged sentence
In conjunction with our distributors, we also offer additional services that permit service providers and VARs to offer complete integrated solutions for prepaid calling, e-mail and IP-based data communications.
−Removed: For example, one of our distribution partners, KVH Industries, Inc., has been integrating Iridium Pilot with its miniature Very Small Aperture Terminal, or mini-VSAT SM , broadband service to provide backup connectivity when the mini-VSAT terminal is out of its coverage area or out of service.
−Removed: In the future, as Iridium Certus products provide improved speed and price points, we expect our distributors to focus on selling Iridium Certus and eventually transition many ships that use Iridium OpenPort services to Iridium Certus services.
+Added: For example, one of our distribution partners, KVH Industries, Inc., has been integrating Iridium Pilot with its miniature Very Small Aperture Terminal, or mini-VSAT SM , broadband service to provide backup connectivity when the mini-VSAT terminal is out of its coverage area or non-operational.
+Added: In the future, we expect our distributors to focus on selling Iridium Certus and eventually transition many ships that use Iridium OpenPort services to Iridium Certus services.
Internet of Things Services
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Increasingly, our IoT transceivers are being built into products for consumer markets, such as personal location devices that provide two-way messaging.
−Removed: In the future, we expect our IoT partners to develop new offerings with increased
−Removed: capabilities based on our Iridium Certus 9770 transceiver and other future midband devices we plan to create that have optimized size, speed, power, and antenna characteristics for various applications.
+Added: In the future, we expect our IoT partners to develop new offerings with increased capabilities based on our Iridium Certus 9770 transceiver and other future midband devices we plan to create that have optimized size, speed, power, and antenna characteristics for various applications.
As with our mobile voice and data offerings, we typically charge service providers and VARs a monthly access fee per subscriber as well as usage fees for data used by their respective subscribers.
30 unchanged sentences
In most cases, our devices or an antenna must be located outside and within view of a satellite to be able to access our network.
−Removed: Satellite Handsets
+Added: Satellite Handsets and Iridium GO!
Our principal handset offerings are the Iridium 9555 and Iridium Extreme satellite handsets, which are similar in functionality to ordinary cellular phones but with the solid, durable feel that satellite phone users demand.
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The Iridium Extreme adds to the Iridium 9555’s capabilities by providing a rugged exterior that meets Military Standard 810F for durability, a dedicated, two-way emergency SOS button, and fully integrated GPS and location-based services.
−Removed: These extra features are provided in a handset that is even smaller than the Iridium 9555, weighing 8.7 ounces
−Removed: and offering up to four hours of talk time.
+Added: These extra features are provided in a handset that is even smaller than the Iridium 9555, weighing 8.7 ounces and offering up to four hours of talk time.
An emergency response service provided by GEOS Travel Safety Group, or GEOS, is included with the purchase of the phone and airtime usage.
1 unchanged sentence
Iridium Extreme PTT .
−Removed: We also offer the Iridium Extreme PTT, which enhances the Iridium Extreme with an intelligently designed push-to-talk mode, expanded speakerphone, reinforced PTT button, and extended capacity battery.
−Removed: The user interface provides access to multiple communication services, including voice calling, SMS and SOS, allowing users to connect to a talkgroup located in up to 10 geographic regions worldwide.
+Added: The Iridium Extreme PTT enhances the Iridium Extreme with an intelligently designed push-to-talk mode, expanded speakerphone, reinforced PTT button, and extended capacity battery.
+Added: The user interface provides access to multiple communication services, including voice calling, SMS and SOS, allowing users to connect to a talkgroup located in up
+Added: to 10 customer-defined geographic regions worldwide.
The Iridium Extreme PTT weighs 9.5 ounces and offers up to 6.5 hours of talk time in phone mode and five hours of talk time in PTT mode.
+Added: We also offer Iridium GO!, a small, rugged, personal connectivity device that connects to the Iridium network to create a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling the use of smartphones and tablets for voice calls, text messages and emails, posts to social networking sites, and limited use of optimized mobile websites.
+Added: also has an emergency SOS button and GPS and location-based services.
+Added: Smartphone or tablet access is provided through special applications downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or through Google Play for Android smartphones or tablets.
+Added: A software development kit is available to enable the creation of additional applications or integrate Iridium GO!
+Added: connectivity into existing applications.
We expect these devices to maintain our competitive position as premium offerings in the market due to their capabilities, mobility, reliability and global coverage.
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Ultimately, Iridium Certus is designed to support a variety of cost points, antenna types and data speeds ranging from midband to broadband speeds as high as 1.4 Mbps.
−Removed: We have licensed the Iridium Certus technology to an initial group of VAMs who have introduced products for the maritime and land mobile markets and are developing additional products for those markets as well as the aviation and government markets.
+Added: We have licensed the Iridium Certus technology to a group of VAMs who have introduced products for the maritime and land mobile markets and are developing additional products for those markets as well as the aviation and government markets.
Iridium Certus is ideal for maritime operational and safety services.
These terminals deliver the satellite communications technology that the industry demands, combining all the benefits of L-band with broadband and truly global coverage.
−Removed: Iridium Certus terminals offer superior connectivity for maritime customers whether used as a standalone service or as a complement to VSAT services.
+Added: Iridium Certus terminals offer superior connectivity for maritime customers whether used as a standalone service or as a companion to VSAT services.
Our principal end users for Iridium Certus in the maritime market are merchant shipping, commercial fishing, large leisure vessels, and work boats.
−Removed: The terminals in this market are the Cobham Sailor 4300 and Thales VesseLINK.
−Removed: In addition, Intellian, a Korean maritime terminal manufacturer has been licensed to introduce an Iridium Certus terminal to the market in 2020.
+Added: The initial terminals in this market were the Cobham Sailor 4300 and Thales VesseLINK.
+Added: In addition, Intellian, a Korean maritime terminal manufacturer, introduced an Iridium Certus terminal to the market in 2020.
In aviation, Iridium Certus will deliver critical safety services and in-flight communications.
−Removed: Our principal end users for Iridium Certus in the aviation market include commercial, corporate and government users, general aviation, rotorcraft and unmanned aircraft.
+Added: Our principal targeted end users for Iridium Certus in the aviation market will include commercial, corporate and government users, general aviation, rotorcraft and unmanned aircraft.
The initial terminal in this market will be the FlytLINK by Thales.
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Iridium Certus devices may be integrated with internet, cellular, land mobile radio, and location-based applications to keep users connected, offering global push-to-talk, situational awareness, email, messaging and voice-over-IP.
−Removed: We believe our principal end users for Iridium Certus in the land mobile market will be military users, first responders, non-governmental organizations, oil and gas users, remote fleets and media users.
−Removed: The initial terminal in this market is the Thales MissionLINK.
+Added: We believe our principal end users for Iridium Certus in the land mobile market will be military users, rail, first responders, non-governmental organizations, oil and gas users, and remote fleets.
+Added: The initial terminal in this market is the Thales MissionLINK, with additional terminals expected in the near future.
In the government market, Iridium Certus terminals will provide beyond-line-of-sight communications critical to mission
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We believe our Iridium Pilot terminal, with its flexible service options, provides an excellent low-cost option to the maritime market, including market sectors such as luxury yachts, tug boats, and other fishing and cruising vessels.
−Removed: Iridium Pilot also offers a low-cost solution as a complement to maritime Ku- and Ka- Band VSAT systems providing broadband and data services for ships, where Iridium Pilot can fill in coverage gaps and operate during significant rain fade events that impair K-band service, provide services where the VSAT terminal is not licensed to operate, and provide an alternate channel during VSAT maintenance and configuration.
−Removed: We also offer Iridium Pilot Land Station, which allows remote individuals and businesses from off-the-grid terrestrial locations to obtain reliable internet connections and voice calling no matter where they are located.
−Removed: In the future, as Iridium Certus products provide improved speed and price points, we expect our
−Removed: distributors to focus on selling Iridium Certus and eventually transition many users with Iridium Pilot units to Iridium Certus terminals.
+Added: Iridium Pilot also offers a low-cost solution as a companion to maritime Ku- and Ka- Band VSAT systems providing broadband and data services for ships, where Iridium Pilot can fill in coverage gaps and operate during significant rain fade events that impair K-band service, provide services where the VSAT terminal is not licensed to operate, and provide an alternate channel during VSAT maintenance and configuration.
+Added: We also offer Iridium Pilot Land Station, which allows remote individuals and
+Added: businesses from off-the-grid terrestrial locations to obtain reliable internet connections and voice calling no matter where they are located.
Voice and Data Modems
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The Iridium Core 9523 provides a small voice and data module that can be integrated with other components to create a modem tailored for typical VAM applications as well as specific applications, such as a dual-mode terrestrial radio and satellite phone or IoT applications that require more efficient data throughput through circuit-switched data transmission.
−Removed: The Iridium 9523 PTT adds PTT capability, allowing development partners to design and build land mobile, fixed, aviation and maritime devices with Iridium PTT.
−Removed: We also offer the 9522B L-Band transceiver, which utilizes the same transceiver core that is used in our Iridium 9555 satellite handset to provide voice and circuit-switched data services.
+Added: The Iridium 9523 PTT adds PTT capability, allowing development partners to design and build land mobile, fixed, aviation and maritime devices with Iridium PTT service.
In the future, we expect our value-added partners to develop new products based on our Iridium Certus 9770 transceiver and other optimized midband devices.
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Iridium Edge reduces the cost and complications associated with hardware development, manufacture and certification of satellite-specific terminals, which we expect to enable greater adoption of our IoT services.
+Added: In 2020, we introduced Iridium Edge Pro, a standalone IoT device that offers real-time GPS tracking capabilities, with a flexible programming platform that allows partners to create and run their own custom-made applications, and Iridium Edge Solar, a standalone, programmable, solar-powered device that offers real-time GPS tracking in a self-charging, low-maintenance unit with over-the-air configuration that allows partners to create distinct tracking applications.
In the future, we expect our IoT partners to develop new products with increased capabilities based on Iridium Certus midband devices.
−Removed: We also offer Iridium GO!, a small, rugged, personal connectivity device that connects to the Iridium network to create a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling the use of smartphones and tablets for voice calls, text messages and emails, posts to social networking sites, and limited use of optimized mobile websites.
−Removed: also has an emergency SOS button and GPS and location-based services.
−Removed: Smartphone or tablet access is provided through special applications downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or through Google Play for Android smartphones or tablets.
−Removed: A software development kit is available to enable the creation of additional applications or integrate Iridium GO!
−Removed: connectivity into existing applications.
Device Development and Manufacturing
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We purchase these products from several third-party suppliers either pursuant to contractual agreements or off the shelf at market prices.
−Removed: We hold licenses to use 8.725 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the L-Band, which operates at 1.6 GHz, and allows for two-way communication between our devices and our satellites.
−Removed: In addition, we are authorized to use 200 MHz of K-Band (23 GHz) spectrum for satellite-to-satellite communications, known as inter-satellite links, and 400 MHz of Ka-Band spectrum (19.4 GHz to 19.6 GHz and 29.1 GHz to 29.3 GHz) for two-way communication between our satellites and our ground stations, known as feeder links.
−Removed: We are also authorized to use the 156.0125-162.0375 MHz spectrum for reception of Automatic Identification System transmissions from maritime vessels and the 1087.7-1092.3 MHz spectrum for reception of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast transmissions from aircraft.
−Removed: Access to this spectrum enables us to design satellites, network and terrestrial infrastructure enhancements cost effectively because each product and service can be deployed and sold worldwide.
−Removed: Our products and services are offered in over 100 countries, and we and our distributors continue to seek authorizations in additional countries.
−Removed: Our use of spectrum is globally coordinated and recorded by, and subject to the frequency rules and regulations of, the International Telecommunication Union, or ITU.
−Removed: The ITU is the United Nations organization responsible for worldwide co-operation in the telecommunications sector.
−Removed: In order to protect satellite systems from harmful radio frequency interference from other satellite systems, the ITU maintains a Master International Frequency Register of radio frequency assignments.
−Removed: Each ITU administration is required to give notice of, coordinate and record its proposed use of radio frequency assignments with the ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.
−Removed: The coordination negotiations are conducted by the national administrations with the assistance of satellite operators.
−Removed: When the coordination process is completed, the ITU formally notifies all proposed users of frequencies and orbital locations in order to protect the recorded assignments from subsequent nonconforming or interfering uses by member states of the ITU.
−Removed: Only member states have full standing within this inter-governmental organization.
−Removed: Filings to the ITU were made on our behalf by the United States.
−Removed: The ITU also controls the assignment of country codes used for placing telephone calls between different countries.
−Removed: Our network has been assigned the 8816 and 8817 country codes and uses these numbers for calling and communications between terminals.
Domestic and Foreign Revenue
6 unchanged sentences
Year Ended December 31,
+Added: 2020 2019 2018
United States 55 % 54 % 53 %
1 unchanged sentence
Other Countries (1)
+Added: 36 % 37 % 37 %
(1) No single country in this group represented more than 10% of our revenue for any of the periods indicated.
4 unchanged sentences
Year Ended December 31,
+Added: 2020 2019 2018
Commercial voice traffic (minutes) 91 % 90 % 90 %
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Our satellite network has an architecture of 66 operational LEO satellites in six orbital planes of eleven vehicles each in nearly circular polar orbits, in addition to in-orbit spares and related ground infrastructure, as well as ground spares.
−Removed: We recently completed the process of replacing our first-generation constellation, which we refer to as the Iridium NEXT program.
−Removed: We deployed a total of 75 satellites on eight Falcon 9 rockets launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, as part of this program.
+Added: In 2019, we completed the process of replacing our first-generation constellation, which we refer to as the Iridium NEXT program.
+Added: We deployed a total of 75 satellites on eight Falcon 9 rockets launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, as part of this program and de-orbited our first generation satellites.
These replacement satellites support new services and higher data speeds for new products.
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While our constellation offers true global coverage, most of our devices and antennas must have a direct line of sight to a satellite to transmit or receive a signal, and services on those devices are not available in locations where a satellite signal cannot be transmitted or received, which for some devices includes inside a building.
−Removed: During 2017, we began de-orbiting our first-generation satellites on an individual basis after they were replaced by new satellites.
−Removed: We completed the required de-orbit initiation process for our first-generation satellites during 2019.
Our constellation is unique among commercial constellations in the usage of radio frequency crosslinks between our satellites, which eliminates the need for local ground infrastructure.
1 unchanged sentence
Our traffic is routed on a preplanned route between satellites to a predetermined satellite that is in contact with one of the Iridium teleport network, or TPN, locations.
−Removed: The TPN sites then transmit and receive the traffic to and from the gateways, which in turn provide the interface to terrestrial-based networks such as the PSTN, a public land mobile network, or PLMN, and the internet.
−Removed: The use of a TPN allows grounding
−Removed: traffic at multiple locations within our ground network infrastructure.
+Added: The TPN sites then transmit and receive the traffic to and from the gateways, which in turn provide the interface to terrestrial-based
+Added: networks such as the PSTN, a public land mobile network, or PLMN, and the internet.
+Added: The use of a TPN allows grounding traffic at multiple locations within our ground network infrastructure.
This and other design elements provide flexibility that allows for rapid reconfiguration of grounding traffic from the satellites in the event of a space, antenna or ground routing anomaly and results in greater reliability of our network.
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Aireon has contracted to offer this service to our co-investors in Aireon, as well as other ANSPs, including the FAA.
−Removed: These ANSPs will use the service to provide improved air traffic control services over the oceans, as well as polar and remote regions.
−Removed: Aireon also plans to market the data
−Removed: to airlines and other users.
−Removed: Under our agreements with Aireon, Aireon will pay us fees of $200.0 million to host the ADS-B receivers on our satellites, of which they have paid us $54.1 million as of December 31, 2019, as well as power and data services fees of up to approximately $23.5 million per year in the aggregate for the delivery of the air traffic surveillance data over the Iridium system.
+Added: These ANSPs will use the service to provide
+Added: improved air traffic control services over the oceans, as well as polar and remote regions.
+Added: Aireon also plans to market the data to airlines and other users.
+Added: Under our agreements with Aireon, Aireon will pay us fees of $200.0 million to host the ADS-B receivers on our satellites, of which they have paid us $54.5 million as of December 31, 2020, as well as power and data services fees of approximately $23.5 million per year in the aggregate for the delivery of the air traffic surveillance data over the Iridium system.
While the Aireon ADS-B receivers are the primary hosted payload on our satellites, we have also entered into an agreement with L3Harris for it to utilize the remaining space for payloads it has constructed for its customers.
−Removed: We expect this agreement to result in an additional $74.1 million in hosting and data service fees, all of which L3Harris has paid as of December 31, 2019.
−Removed: We obtained in-orbit insurance covering losses from satellite failures for one year after launch with respect to our satellites, but all satellites have now been in orbit for more than one year.
−Removed: Following the expiration of those policies, we do not maintain and do not expect to obtain in-orbit insurance covering losses from satellite failures or other operational problems affecting our constellation.
−Removed: Full Scale Development and Launch Services Agreements
−Removed: In June 2010, we executed a primarily fixed price full scale development contract, or FSD, with Thales Alenia Space for the design and manufacture of satellites for the Iridium NEXT program.
−Removed: The total price under the FSD was approximately $2.3 billion.
−Removed: As of December 31, 2019, we had paid all amounts owed to Thales Alenia Space under this agreement, of which $1.5 billion were from borrowings under a $1.8 billion loan facility insured by Bpifrance Assurance Export S.A.A., or BPIAE, which we refer to as the BPIAE Facility.
−Removed: We used the BPIAE Facility to pay 85% of each invoice received from Thales Alenia Space under the FSD, with the remaining 15% funded from cash on hand until the BPIAE Facility was fully drawn.
−Removed: In November 2019, we prepaid the BPIAE Facility in full using the proceeds of a $1,450.0 million term loan, or Term Loan, along with our debt service reserve account, or DSRA, and cash on hand.
−Removed: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Term Loan” for more information.
−Removed: In March 2010, we entered into an agreement with SpaceX as the primary launch services provider for the Iridium NEXT program.
−Removed: The contract price under the SpaceX agreement was $448.9 million for seven launches.
−Removed: In November 2016, we entered into an additional agreement with SpaceX for an eighth Falcon 9 launch for a contract price of $61.9 million.
−Removed: Although we were the customer of record with SpaceX, we contracted separately with GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, or GFZ, for $29.8 million to share the launch of NASA’s two Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On satellites on a specially designed dispenser on the Falcon 9 rocket.
−Removed: All contracted launches with SpaceX were completed, and as of December 31, 2019, we had paid all amounts owed to SpaceX under these agreements and received the full $29.8 million from GFZ.
−Removed: Aireon Holdings LLC Agreement
+Added: This agreement resulted in an additional $74.1 million in hosting and data service fees, all of which L3Harris has paid as of December 31, 2020.
+Added: We do not currently hold any active in-orbit insurance policies covering losses from satellite failures and we do not expect to obtain in-orbit insurance covering losses from satellite failures or other operational problems affecting our constellation.
+Added: Regulatory Matters
+Added: We hold licenses to use 8.725 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the L-band, which operates at 1.6 GHz, and allows for two-way communication between our devices and our satellites.
+Added: In addition, we are authorized to use 200 MHz of K-Band (23 GHz) spectrum for satellite-to-satellite communications, known as inter-satellite links, and 400 MHz of Ka-Band spectrum (19.4 GHz to 19.6 GHz and 29.1 GHz to 29.3 GHz) for two-way communication between our satellites and our ground stations, known as feeder links.
+Added: We are also authorized to use the 156.0125-162.0375 MHz spectrum for reception of Automatic Identification System transmissions from maritime vessels and the 1087.7-1092.3 MHz spectrum for reception of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast transmissions from aircraft.
+Added: Access to this spectrum enables us to design satellites, network and terrestrial infrastructure enhancements cost effectively because each product and service can be deployed and sold worldwide.
+Added: Our products and services are offered in over 100 countries, and we and our distributors continue to seek authorizations in additional countries.
+Added: Our use of spectrum is globally coordinated and recorded by, and subject to the frequency rules and regulations of, the International Telecommunication Union, or ITU.
+Added: The ITU is the United Nations organization responsible for worldwide co-operation in the telecommunications sector.
+Added: In order to protect satellite systems from harmful radio frequency interference from other satellite systems, the ITU maintains a Master International Frequency Register of radio frequency assignments.
+Added: Each ITU administration is required to give notice of, coordinate and record its proposed use of radio frequency assignments with the ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.
+Added: The coordination negotiations are conducted by the national administrations with the assistance of satellite operators.
+Added: When the coordination process is completed, the ITU formally notifies all proposed users of frequencies and orbital locations in order to protect the recorded assignments from subsequent nonconforming or interfering uses by member states of the ITU.
+Added: Only member states have full standing within this inter-governmental organization.
+Added: Filings to the ITU were made on our behalf by the United States.
+Added: The ITU also controls the assignment of country codes used for placing telephone calls between different countries.
+Added: Our network has been assigned the 8816 and 8817 country codes and uses these numbers for calling and communications between terminals.
+Added: Constellation De-Orbiting Obligations
+Added: We have certain de-orbit obligations under our FCC licenses.
+Added: Specifically, pursuant to an orbital debris mitigation plan incorporated into our FCC satellite constellation license in 2002, we were required to lower each of our first-generation satellites to an orbit with a perigee of approximately 250 kilometers as it reached the end of its useful life and to coordinate these orbit-lowering maneuvers with the U.S.
+Added: Combined Space Operations Center.
+Added: In August 2014, we received a license modification from the FCC permitting us to operate up to ten of our first-generation satellites pursuant to the less stringent 25 year de-orbit standards for non-geostationary satellites that the FCC acknowledged in 2004 would serve the public interest and has been utilized for other satellite constellations since that time.
+Added: All of our new satellites are subject to the less stringent 25 year de-orbit standard.
+Added: Our FCC license required us to de-orbit a first-generation satellite following its replacement with a new satellite and to notify the FCC within 30 days following removal of a first-generation satellite from its operational orbit for purposes of de-orbit.
+Added: We began de-orbiting individual satellites as they were replaced with new satellites.
+Added: We completed the required de-orbit initiation
+Added: process for our first-generation satellites during 2019.
+Added: We plan to de-orbit our new satellites pursuant to and within the 25 year de-orbit standard consistent with the FCC authorization of our new constellation.
+Added: Aireon LLC and Aireon Holdings LLC Agreement
In November 2012, we, through our Iridium Satellite subsidiary, and Aireon entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement with NAV CANADA, the ANSP of Canada, and a wholly owned subsidiary of NAV CANADA.
11 unchanged sentences
If and when funds are available, Aireon Holdings is required to redeem a portion of our ownership interest for a payment of $120 million, following which NAV CANADA’s subsidiary will hold a 45% interest in Aireon Holdings, and the other ANSP subsidiaries will collectively hold a 33% interest, with Iridium retaining a 22% interest.
−Removed: Based on Aireon’s business plan and restrictions under Aireon’s debt facility, we do not expect this redemption of our ownership interest to occur before early 2022.
+Added: Based on Aireon’s business plan and restrictions under Aireon’s debt facility, we do not expect this redemption of our ownership interest to occur for several years.
The Aireon Holdings LLC Agreement provides for Aireon Holdings to be managed by a board of directors consisting of 11 members.
Currently, we may nominate two directors, NAV CANADA may nominate five directors, Enav and NATS may each nominate one director, and Naviair and IAA may together nominate one director.
−Removed: The chief executive officer of Aireon
−Removed: Holdings serves as the eleventh director.
+Added: The chief executive officer of Aireon Holdings serves as the eleventh director.
The Aireon Holdings LLC Agreement also provides the minority-interest holders with several protective provisions.
−Removed: Constellation De-Orbiting Obligations
−Removed: We have certain de-orbit obligations under our FCC licenses.
−Removed: Specifically, pursuant to an orbital debris mitigation plan incorporated into our FCC satellite constellation license in 2002, we were required to lower each of our first-generation satellites to an orbit with a perigee of approximately 250 kilometers as it reached the end of its useful life and to coordinate these orbit-lowering maneuvers with the U.S.
−Removed: Combined Space Operations Center.
−Removed: In August 2014, we received a license modification from the FCC permitting us to operate up to ten of our first-generation satellites pursuant to the less stringent 25 year de-orbit standards for non-geostationary satellites that the FCC acknowledged in 2004 would serve the public interest and has been utilized for other satellite constellations since that time.
−Removed: All of our new satellites are subject to the less stringent 25 year de-orbit standard.
−Removed: Our FCC license required us to de-orbit a first-generation satellite following its replacement with a new satellite and to notify the FCC within 30 days following removal of a first-generation satellite from its operational orbit for purposes of de-orbit.
−Removed: We began de-orbiting individual satellites as they were replaced with new satellites.
−Removed: We completed the required de-orbit initiation process for our first-generation satellites during 2019.
−Removed: We plan to de-orbit our new satellites pursuant to and within the 25 year de-orbit standard consistent with the FCC authorization of our new constellation.
+Added: In addition, pursuant to a debt facility for Aireon LLC provided by us and the other Aireon investors, we will participate pro-rata, based on our fully diluted current ownership stake, in an investor bridge loan.
+Added: As such, in December 2020, we invested $0.2 million in Aireon LLC.
+Added: We expect future funding by us and the other Aireon investors to be required in 2021 and 2022.
+Added: Our maximum commitment under the investor bridge loan is $10.7 million.
The mobile satellite services industry is highly competitive but has significant barriers to entry, including the cost and difficulty associated with obtaining spectrum licenses and successfully building and launching a satellite network.
14 unchanged sentences
Like Globalstar, ORBCOMM’s network also has a “bent pipe” architecture, which constrains its real-time coverage area.
−Removed: ORBCOMM’s principal focus is low-cost data and IoT services, where it directly competes with our IoT offerings.
+Added: ORBCOMM’s principal focus is low-cost data and
+Added: IoT services, where it directly competes with our IoT offerings.
Because a ground station may not be within view of a satellite, ORBCOMM’s services may have a significant amount of latency, which may limit their use in some mission-critical applications.
8 unchanged sentences
We provide service in areas that are inadequately covered by these ground systems.
−Removed: To the extent
−Removed: that terrestrial communications companies invest in underdeveloped areas, we will face increased competition in those areas.
+Added: To the extent that terrestrial communications companies invest in underdeveloped areas, we will face increased competition in those areas.
We believe that local telephone companies currently are reluctant to invest in new switches, landlines and cellular towers to expand their networks in rural and remote areas due to high costs and limited usage.
5 unchanged sentences
Our research and development expenses were $12.0 million, $14.3 million and $22.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
+Added: Employees and Human Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2020, we had 516 full-time employees and 6 part-time employees, none of whom are subject to any collective bargaining agreement.
We consider our employee relations to be good.
+Added: Human Capital Resources
+Added: Our Company is made up of varied and creative teams, and we are committed to creating an innovative and inclusive environment where our employees are proud to work.
+Added: We foster this sentiment by focusing on development, employee wellness and social responsibility.
+Added: This starts with an onboarding process that introduces our core mission and values, policies and procedures, performance review process and background about the company.
+Added: We support our employees in their career development by providing on-the-job training and education reimbursement to help employees maintain or enhance skills in their current position or help with acquiring new skills to prepare for future opportunities.
+Added: To measure employee engagement, we conduct an annual survey to assess and track retention and satisfaction.
+Added: We take responses from our employees seriously and use them to inform specific strategies every year tailored to both the entire company as well as specific teams.
+Added: We also help our employees stay engaged in other ways, including participation in Employee Resource Groups, or ERGs, and other outreach efforts that cover a range of topics and interests.
+Added: Active ERGs include Iridium Women Connect and the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council.
+Added: We formed our Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council in 2020, and it has identified four objectives to make our Iridium community, and the world, a more diverse and inclusive place:
+Added: • Helping to recruit and retain team members with diverse backgrounds and experiences;
+Added: • Fostering participation in activities supporting diversity and inclusion within our communities;
+Added: • Training, educating, and communicating with team members on the importance of diversity and inclusion to our culture and viability;
+Added: • Periodically assessing our continual growth toward greater diversity and inclusion.
+Added: We currently have four working groups to put these objectives into practice.
+Added: Each working group has its own goals, stakeholder relationships, strategy and executive sponsorship.
+Added: Response to COVID-19
+Added: As for most companies and individuals, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way that we all live and work.
+Added: From the earliest reports of coronavirus, we closely monitored its spread to understand the potential impact on the health and safety of our workers and our partners.
+Added: Our COVID-19 task force closely monitors federal and local guidelines and communicates frequently to employees about recent developments and actions.
+Added: We developed a health and safety policy specific to COVID-19 that outlines protocols consistent with federal guidelines.
+Added: We quickly transitioned our workforce to work from home, except for employees needing in-person access to laboratories or other resources onsite.
+Added: We believe we’ve learned to operate successfully in this new environment, and we remain committed to supporting a more carbon-friendly, hybrid work program for our team once infection rates allow.
+Added: For our employees whose duties require on-site work (less than 20% of our workforce), we increased cleaning and sanitation at all locations, installed smart screen questionnaires, installed hand sanitizer stations and had a third party inspector check for air quality improvements and required changes in our facilities.
+Added: We developed a scenario analysis to guide our employees and are supporting them as needed to ensure they are safe and well-equipped to do their jobs.
Intellectual Property
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Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.