Press Release

•• • lndlumlLC • • 1575 t:,e Streetm.w •• Washingtc.r.,OC ::;-,05 IRIDIUM USA Press Release

THE WORLD'S FIRST GLOBAL SATELLITE TELEP�ONE AND PAGING COMPANY STARTS SERVICE TCDAV

Iridium Ushers in New Era of Global Communication

WASHINGTON, November 1, 1998 -- TheGlobal Village just got a wnolt: !Ct: sr.iaiier.

Iridium LLC todayannounced that the world's firsthand-held, gk ::al satei:ite phone and paging system is now commercially availableto customers. 'Nith Iridium phones and pagers, people will have the abilityto communicate virtuallyany\·1here � on the faceof the planet -using one phone, with one phone number, receiving one monthly phone bill.

"After11 years of hard work, we are proud to announce that we are open for business," said Edward F. Staiano, IridiumLLC Vice Chainnan and CEO. "Iridiumwill open up theworld of business, commerce, disaster relief and hurr.anitarian assistance withour first- of-its-kind global communications service."

Dr. Staiano noted that Iridium is now fullyoperational, 24 hours a day, seven days a weelc,offering the followingkey services:satellite voice, cellularroaming, 7d caiHng card. Phones are being produced and shipped to the regional lrid:um Gate�vays ty the two manufacturers,Motorola of the US and Kyocera of Japan. :n additfa�. giooal page servicewill commence in mid-November.

"Thepotential uses of Iridiumproducts is boundless," continued Staiano. "Susiness people who travel the globe and want to stayin touchwith home and offi..:c, industriesthat operate in remote areas, disaster and relief organizationsthat . •. •• DIUM

require instant communicationsin troubled areas -all willfind Iridiumto be the answer to theircommu nications needs. "

Using its constellationof 66 low earth- orbit satellites, the Iridiumsystem provides reliable communicationsfrom virtually any point on the giobe. From ships at sea, to the highest mountains to remote locations,Iridium customerswill be able to make and receive phone calls on their Iridium phone. For people travellingto urbanareas in the developed world,Iridium offersa cellular roaming servicefeaturing dual mode phones that can be switched to operate with terrestrialwireless services.

Whether their phone is in satellite or cellular mode, an Iridiumcustomer will be reachable at a single phone number, anywherethey happen to be. If their phone is turned off,they can be contacted 24 hours a day on their Iridium pager.

Iridium satellite service is authorized in more than 120 countries and territories around the world, with more than 200 markets expected by year-end. More than 270 distributionagreement s have been negotiated worldwide, with serviceproviders , and roaming partners, which will provide Iridium access to over 105 million wireless telephone customersin 125 countries.

Different Services forDifferent Needs

Iridium services includesatellite, cellular, paging, and landline communications capabilities, allowing customers to selectthe communication optionsthat best serve their needs. Thephones allow cellular communications,where availableor compatible, or satellite servicewhen outside the range of terrestrial wireless networks. Combined, Iridiumservice will offercustomers on the move the lowest cost optionavailable to meet their global communicationsrequirements. Customers can choose one or more of the followingIridium services.

• Iridium World Satellite Serviceprovi des a direct satellite link to a handheld satellite phone, bothfor incoming and outgoing communicationsin remote areas, poorly covered regions, and other locationswhere terrestrialnetworks are not available. . ••. • DIUM

• Iridium World Roaming Serviceallows customers to roam across previously incompatibleterrestrial wireless networks, enabling them to keep one telephone number and receive one telephone bill forcalls made anywhere on Earth.

• Iridium World Page Service will provide global alphanumeric messaging to belt wornpagers. When combined with the voice mail option, customers can be sure that callers can reach them worldwide, including on aircraft. Iridium World Page Servicewill be available beginning in mid-November, 1998.

• Iridium World Calling Card enables customers to make phone calls frompublic and private wireline and wirelessphones in 58 countries around the world. To use IridiumWorld Calling Card service, users simply dial an access code (toll-free where available) forthe countryin which they are located, enter their account number, followedby thedestination number. Calls are billed directlyto theusers calling card.

The Vital Link: TheWorld's FirstSatellite Handheld Telephones

Motorola and Kyocera, the manufacturersof Iridium satellite telephones and pagers, are expected to produce more than 100,000 satellite telephones in 1998. The multi mode Iridiumtelephones fromMotorola and Kyocera include Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, which provide personalized telephone featuresand securityfor the owner. Thephones also useplug-in radio cassettesto provide compatibilitywith differentlocal cellular systems around the world.

Motorola will provide cellular cassettes for GSM goo and CDMA/AMPS/NAMPS Boo standards at commercialactivation, and Kyocera phones will supportGSM goo and PDC standards.

Local and Global Customer Care

Because Iridiumis a worldwideservice, a Global Customer Care (GCC) program has been implemented to providetoll-free, round -the-clock, internationalsupport to global travelers. Thisincl udes helping customerswith replacement oflost or stolen ..••• OIUM

equipment, resolving network and equipment-related issues, and providing system coverage support.

The GCC program is designed to complement the customer care effortsof Iridium's service providersby offeringquality service to customerswho are outside their home area. When customers are in their home area, they can contact their local service provider'scustomer care center for Iridiumsales support, account maintenance, productand service assistance, billing inquiries, and all other Iridium needs.

Those interested in Iridium service can call Iridium Customer Care toll-freeat 1-877- 691-0162, to findout more about Iridiumservice availabilityin their particular country, or in countries to which they travel. Informationalso can be obtained through the IridiumWeb site, www.iridium.com.

Iridium is a global wireless communications network that combines the worldwide reach of 66 low-earth-orbitsatellites with land-based wirelesssystems to enable subscribersto communicate using handheld telephones and pagers virtually anywhere in the world. Iridium World Communications, Ltd. (NASDAQ: IRIDF) is the public investment vehicleof Iridium UC.