Iridium Satellite LLC is the only provider of truly global mobile satellite voice and data solutions through a a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by Boeing. There is complete coverage of the Earth's oceans, airways and Polar Regions.

The satellites are in a near-polar orbit at an altitude of 485 miles (780 km). They circle the earth once every 100 minutes traveling at a rate of 16,832 miles per hour. Each satellite is cross-linked to four other satellites; two satellites in the same orbital plane and two in an adjacent plane. The ground network is comprised of the System Control Segment and telephony gateways used to connect into the terrestrial telephone system.

• The System Control Segment is the central management component for the Iridium system. It provides global operational support and control services for the satellite constellation, delivers satellite tracking data to the gateways, and performs the termination control function of messaging services.

• Gateways are the terrestrial infrastructure that provides telephony services, messaging, and support to the network operations. The key features of gateways are their support and management of mobile subscribers and the interconnection of the Iridium network to the terrestrial phone system. Gateways also provide network management functions for their own network elements and links.

• System improvements in the satellite and handset have been introduced, providing improved voice quality and subscriber equipment performance. The healthy satellite constellation is demonstrating outstanding longevity.