Iridium® to Provide Mobile Satellite Systems and Services for State of Idaho
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Iridium Experiences Rapid Growth in Government Sector as More State Agencies Turn to Iridium for Dependable Gap-Free Mobile Satellite Communications
BETHESDA, Md. - December 4, 2007 - The State of Idaho recently awarded a contract to World Communications Center (WCC) to provide Iridium® satellite voice and data products and services for government agencies throughout the state.
"Over the past 12 months, Iridium has experienced a dramatic upsurge in subscriptions and traffic from federal, state, regional and local government agencies as well as non-governmental public-safety organizations, driven largely by Iridium's record of network quality, which cannot be matched by other mobile satellite systems," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Iridium Satellite. "Idaho and other states are discovering that Iridium's fully meshed low-earth-orbit satellite network provides an unbeatable value proposition of ubiquitous gap-free coverage and reliable connectivity, offering an important utility for government agencies in supplying vital public services to their citizens."
WCC won the Idaho contract under a blanket purchasing contract with the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA). WCC was awarded a three-year contract in March 2007 from the Utah Division of Purchasing and General Services, acting as agent for the WSCA, to be the exclusive supplier of Iridium satellite products and services for 15 Western states. The contract duration is through May 1, 2010, with provision for three one-year renewal options.
"Idaho is the first WSCA state government to act under the WSCA Iridium purchasing agreement," said Sam Romey, president of WCC. "We expect similar contracts from other WSCA states in coming months."
"Most of the Western states have large expanses of sparsely populated territory with limited landline and wireless coverage," noted Ewert. "Iridium offers satellite voice and data links to support critical public services for these wide-open spaces. Iridium is the only mobile satellite service that provides universal coverage over this entire area, including the far northern regions of Alaska. Iridium also provides reliable redundant communication links to augment existing infrastructure, which may be disrupted or overburdened in the wake of natural disasters or terrorist attack."
The WSCA was formed in October 1993 by the purchasing directors from 15 western states. The primary purpose is to establish the means by which participating states may join together in cooperative multi-state contracting in order to achieve cost-effective and efficient acquisition of quality products and services. The WSCA member states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (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 150 partners.
About World Communication Center
World Communication Center, Inc. (WCC), (www.wcclp.com), a member of SatCom Group is a leading provider of global satellite solutions and services including satellite phones, Iridium specialty products, Inmarsat satellite broadband terminals and VSAT. With options for rental or purchase, WCC's satellite communications satisfy a myriad of industries' needs from government and military, through transportation, maritime and aviation, all well as all aspects of business and leisure travel.
Liz DeCastro
Iridium Satellite LLC
+ 1 (301) 571-6257
liz.decastro@iridium.com
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com
