MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications
Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) and KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) announce an
agreement to offer the first-ever, fully global, seamless broadband
satellite communications service for the maritime market. Under the
agreement, KVH will offer an integrated service package that combines
its mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) service and the Iridium OpenPort(R)
broadband service. The combined offering will deliver the maritime
industry the first seamless, truly global, broadband connectivity,
helping mariners connect in ways never before thought possible.

"We are enthusiastic that KVH is our first distribution partner to
launch Iridium's new VSAT companion service offering," said Greg Ewert,
executive vice president, global distribution channels, Iridium. "We
have optimized the Iridium OpenPort system to seamlessly integrate with
a vessel's VSAT platform. The VSAT/Iridium solution eliminates the
coverage gaps, data-rate limitations and comparatively high prices of
other L-band mobile satellite service providers."

The integrated shipboard system will use common below-deck user
interface equipment for voice and data connections, combining the
Iridium OpenPort and KVH TracPhone(R) V3 or V7 terminals. KVH's
CommBox(TM) shipboard network management tool automatically selects the
mini-VSAT Broadband service or the Iridium OpenPort service using
intelligent least-cost routing software. If mini-VSAT Broadband service
is ever unavailable, the system immediately switches over to the
Iridium OpenPort service without operator intervention. The Iridium
OpenPort connection can also serve as a means to access the mini-VSAT
Broadband terminal remotely as well as other shipboard maintenance and
calibration equipment.

"KVH already has the largest Ku band VSAT global coverage offering, and
the addition of Iridium now adds even remote regions such as the polar
areas," said Brent Bruun, KVH senior vice president of global sales and
business development. "The integrated system offers our customers an
unbeatable combination of reliable, affordable broadband shipboard
communications and seamless global connectivity. The lightweight,
compact antenna units bring the benefits of low-cost broadband
communications to both private yachts and fishing vessels as small as
30 ft (9 m) as well as large, ocean-going merchant ships."

KVH's breakthrough TracPhone V3 and V7 platforms, based on KVH's
RingFire(TM) technology, offer robust and reliable download speeds up
to 2 Mbps and clear voice connections through the world's smallest
stabilized VSAT antenna. Combined with Iridium OpenPort's proven
reliability and global coverage, it delivers a best-in-class
communications solution.

Ewert noted that the integrated maritime service will be fully
supported by Iridium's next-generation satellite constellation, which
is scheduled to be deployed starting in early 2015.

"The Iridium NEXT design ensures backward compatibility for all earlier
generation user equipment, and subscribers can be confident that their
investment is secure and will not face obsolescence in the future,"
Ewert said.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications
network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections
between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real
time. Together with its ever-expanding ecosystem of partner companies,
Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions
for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a
major development program underway for its next-generation network --
Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean,
Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium
products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.

The Iridium Communications Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10426

About KVH Industries, Inc.

KVH Industries, Inc. is a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV
and communication systems, having designed, manufactured and sold more
than 150,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels,
vehicles and aircraft. Winner of 36 National Marine Electronics
Association Industry Awards, the prestigious General Motors Innovative
Design Award, 2 CES Innovation Awards, the DAME Award in the Marine
Electronics category, and a finalist for the Automotive News PACE
Award, KVH's mission is to connect mobile customers with the same
digital television entertainment, communications and Internet services
that they enjoy in their home and offices. The company is based in
Middletown, RI., with facilities in Illinois, Denmark, Norway and
Singapore. For more information, visit www.kvh.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts
may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
include statements regarding the development, deployment and backward
compatibility of Iridium. Other forward-looking statements can be
identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes,"
"expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other
expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or
prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding
the development of and transition to Iridium NEXT, including timing of
launches and backward compatibility, as well as general industry and
economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and
technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking
statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on
March 7, 2011 and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2011, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2011. There is no
assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more
of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from
those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.


CONTACT: Press Contacts:

         Liz DeCastro
         Iridium Communications Inc.
         +1 (703) 287-7421
         liz.decastro@iridium.com
         
         Casey Clark
         FTI Consulting
         +1 (202) 346-8844
         casey.clark@fticonsulting.com