Profile of Iridium

As a market leader constantly innovating beyond the As a market leader constantly innovating beyond the traditional bounds of satellite communications, Iridium is traditional bounds of satellite communications, Iridium is advancing the way global enterprises conduct daily advancing the way global enterprises conduct daily mission-critical activities. With a strong track record as an mission-critical activities. With a strong track record as an innovator in terms of technology, partnerships and innovator in terms of technology, partnerships and solutions, Iridium offers the only truly global coverage for solutions, Iridium offers the only truly global coverage for satellite communications.satellite communications. Leadership in the industry is Leadership in the industry is reflected through the companyreflected through the company’’s efforts to proactively s efforts to proactively address broad emerging markets, such as the machine-to-address broad emerging markets, such as the machine-to-machine (M2M) market.machine (M2M) market. A consistent pattern of growth is A consistent pattern of growth is another hallmark of Iridiumanother hallmark of Iridium’’s leadership. Even with the s leadership. Even with the economic challenges of 2009, the company continues to economic challenges of 2009, the company continues to demonstrate growth in the satellite communications sector.demonstrate growth in the satellite communications sector.

History of Iridium

The company derives its name from the chemical element iridium.

Based in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A., Iridium Satellite LLC, a privately held company

The research on satellite phones were started in 1987-88,but the service started in May 1998

The number of satellites projected in the early stages of planning was 77 but could start only with 66 satellites

Is the provider of truly global satellite voice and data communications solutions with complete coverage of the entire Earth including oceans, airways and even Polar Regions

At a current annual growth rate of 137 percent, Iridium's most rapidly expanding business segment is the machine-to-machine sector.

Iridium is a profitable company with the constant acquisition of Iridium is a profitable company with the constant acquisition of new customers and partners both domestically and abroad in some new customers and partners both domestically and abroad in some of the furthest reaches of the planet. of the furthest reaches of the planet.

Iridium is also planning for the future sustainability of its Iridium is also planning for the future sustainability of its constellation, making major investments in network enhancements constellation, making major investments in network enhancements and launching the and launching the Iridium NEXTIridium NEXT initiative, its next generation  initiative, its next generation satellite constellation, which will be fully satellite constellation, which will be fully operational by 2016operational by 2016. . 

Presently active in various parts of U.S.A , Russia and various Presently active in various parts of U.S.A , Russia and various other European countries and other players are other European countries and other players are INMARSAT AND INMARSAT AND THURAYATHURAYA

What Satellite Phones Are?

A satellite phone is a telephone-like device that sends A satellite phone is a telephone-like device that sends radio signals direct to a satellite then down to a land radio signals direct to a satellite then down to a land earth station from where the call can be directed to earth station from where the call can be directed to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as well as a cellular network. The reverse is also true. well as a cellular network. The reverse is also true. Any land-line or cellular network can call satellite Any land-line or cellular network can call satellite phones. The major telecommunication satellite phones. The major telecommunication satellite constellations are: Global star, Inmarsat, and Iridium. constellations are: Global star, Inmarsat, and Iridium. As an example Global star has 48 satellites and As an example Global star has 48 satellites and Iridium has 66 that orbit the earth. There is no single Iridium has 66 that orbit the earth. There is no single phone that works everywhere except a satellite phone that works everywhere except a satellite phonephone Satellite phones use incredible technology to Satellite phones use incredible technology to provide global coverage at reasonably low costs.provide global coverage at reasonably low costs.

Advantages of Satellite Phones Consistent serviceConsistent service.. Cell phone towers are subject to power outages, poor weather, vandalism Cell phone towers are subject to power outages, poor weather, vandalism

and natural disasters. Satellites are immune to these problems.and natural disasters. Satellites are immune to these problems.   

Emergency service.Emergency service. Cell phone networks often become overloaded in case of disaster and stop Cell phone networks often become overloaded in case of disaster and stop

functioning. Satellite service does not.functioning. Satellite service does not.  

Durability.Durability. Cell phones and other communication devices are often frail and not fit for Cell phones and other communication devices are often frail and not fit for

outdoor or heavy duty use. Satellite phones are resistant to water and outdoor or heavy duty use. Satellite phones are resistant to water and shock and are built to last.shock and are built to last.

Helps in connecting to far off places where there is no cellular services Helps in connecting to far off places where there is no cellular services

mainly villages as it doesnmainly villages as it doesn’’t need any towers and is cost efficient and is t need any towers and is cost efficient and is also also GPSGPS enabled. enabled.

Indian Economy India’s current GDP is 8.6% which shows growth inIndia’s current GDP is 8.6% which shows growth in

economy.economy. Political StabilityPolitical Stability Increase in standard of living of peopleIncrease in standard of living of people The total foreign investments attracted in 2009-10The total foreign investments attracted in 2009-10

amounted to USD 66.5 billion.amounted to USD 66.5 billion. Shifting of more and more people from primaryShifting of more and more people from primary

sector to secondary and tertiary sector.sector to secondary and tertiary sector. Increase in purchasing power of peopleIncrease in purchasing power of people Growth in infrastructure in infrastructure Fourth largest byFourth largest by  Purchasing Power ParityPurchasing Power Parity  (PPP)(PPP)

Indian Telecom Industry The Indian telecommunications industry is one of the fastest growing in the The Indian telecommunications industry is one of the fastest growing in the

world. world. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the number of According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the number of

telephone subscriber base in the country reached telephone subscriber base in the country reached 653.92 million as on May 31, 2010, an increase of 2.49 per cent from 638.05 million in April 2010.

With this the overall With this the overall tele-densitytele-density (telephones per 100 people) has touched (telephones per 100 people) has touched 55.3855.38. .

The The wireless subscriberwireless subscriber base has increased to 617.53 million at the end of base has increased to 617.53 million at the end of May 2010 from 601.22 million in April 2010, registering a growth of 2.71 per May 2010 from 601.22 million in April 2010, registering a growth of 2.71 per cent.cent.

The booming domestic telecom market has been attracting huge amounts of The booming domestic telecom market has been attracting huge amounts of investment which is likely to accelerate with the investment which is likely to accelerate with the entry of new playersentry of new players and and launch of new services.launch of new services.

Further, the Indian telecom sector is expected to witness Further, the Indian telecom sector is expected to witness investment investment of of around around US$ 40 billionUS$ 40 billion during the current fiscal. during the current fiscal.

Advantages To Indian Consumers Low call rates as compared to others but depends on planLow call rates as compared to others but depends on plan

High ConnectivityHigh Connectivity

GPS EnabledGPS Enabled Easy Access to NetEasy Access to Net

Rural ConsumersRural Consumers

Access across the globeAccess across the globe

Very Effective in emergency conditionsVery Effective in emergency conditions

Benefits To The Company Low Initial CostLow Initial Cost

Capturing New MarketCapturing New Market

Very Less CompetitionVery Less Competition

First Mover Advantage First Mover Advantage

Core CompetenceCore Competence

Vast CoverageVast Coverage

Barriers To Entry

License needed from the Govt.License needed from the Govt.

Security ThreatSecurity Threat

Threat to domestic service providersThreat to domestic service providers

Cost of satellite phone sets is very highCost of satellite phone sets is very high

Conclusion Iridium is one of the companies providing satellite Iridium is one of the companies providing satellite

phone services across the globe and India could phone services across the globe and India could also be a great business market for them.Even they also be a great business market for them.Even they could enjoy the first mover advantage which could could enjoy the first mover advantage which could be of great benefit to any company engaged in be of great benefit to any company engaged in production of any product.India is one of the production of any product.India is one of the fastest developing economy in the recent past with fastest developing economy in the recent past with also the growth in telecom sector and increasing also the growth in telecom sector and increasing population could be a really profitable market for population could be a really profitable market for Iridium. Iridium.

Thank you

Prateek BatraPrateek Batra

Bhavjot dhaliwal Bhavjot dhaliwal

Parneet bhinderParneet bhinder

Mayank chawlaMayank chawla

Davneet batraDavneet batra