Vizada Supports Iridium Satellite in Second Annual “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week

Initiative Encourages Emergency Workers and First Responders to Prepare for Disasters by Becoming Familiar with and Testing Their Satellite Phones

Vizada, the leading provider of global satellite communications solutions with more market share on more satellite networks than any other provider, is pleased to support Iridium Satellite, along with ProtectingAmerica.org and the American Red Cross, in announcing the second annual “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week kicking off May 25, 2008. The goal of “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week is to increase satellite phone user knowledge and help users confirm their access to the critical communication services satellite phones provide before they’re needed in an emergency.

“It is imperative that Vizada’s emergency customers have the peace of mind to know their satellite phones will be ready in a time of need,” said Bob Baker, COO and President of Vizada Americas. “This is why Vizada is excited to help Iridium promote this important event.”

The “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week campaign asks all satellite phone owners to call a special number – 00-1-480-752-5105 – to test their satellite phones. Callers will hear a recorded message confirming that their call was completed and offering quick tips on proper handset usage. Iridium customers are not charged for air time on their satellite phone when calling this number. If customers find that their phones are not operational through this process, they should call their service provider for trouble-shooting.

“As more and more first responders and commanders turn to satellite phones as their primary or backup emergency communications tool, we want to make sure the users are trained and the phones are ready to go before they need to use it,” said Matt Desch, Chairman and CEO, Iridium Satellite. “No one knows when the next disaster will strike, but Iridium encourages all satellite phone users to take the important step of testing their phones regularly.”

Additional information on “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week may be found at www.testyoursatellitephone.com. Tips and techniques available for satellite phone use and testing are included, such as:
Test your phone on a monthly basis.
Keep your phone’s battery charged to ensure that it is ready for use when needed.
For maximum battery performance, allow the battery to power down completely before fully re-charging.
Check to make sure that the phone’s SIM card is locked in place. Users can check this by removing the battery and ensuring that the SIM card tray is securely positioned.
Use the phone outside with a clear view of the sky and the horizon.
Turn the phone on and ensure that the antenna is extended and rotated upward.
To test your satellite phone, call 00-1-480-752-5105. The dialing sequence is very similar to dialing an international phone call. Dial 00, then country code, and then the phone number, or press the 0 key until a “+” appears, dial the country code, and then the phone number.
To hang up a call, press the red “C” button.

About Vizada

Vizada is the worldwide leading provider of satellite communications, with more than $600 million in 2007 revenue and more market share on more satellite networks than any other satellite communications provider in the world. Vizada customers include 7,500 commercial, military and business aircraft, more than 30,000 merchant shipping vessels, emergency response teams, government and military units, acclaimed news gathering organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Vizada offers fixed and mobile communications services using multiple satellite network operators, including, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Loral, New Skies, SES Americom and Thuraya. Gateway access to these networks is made possible through the Vizada Global Teleport Network – five state-of-the-art facilities strategically positioned around the world. Vizada also offers Vizada Solutions™, leading edge technologies for IP networking, messaging, business tools, prepaid solutions, fixed2mobile services and secure communications. Vizada has regional centers of operation located in Rockville, Maryland for the Americas and Paris, France for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.vizada.com.

About Iridium Satellite

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite services (MSS) company offering gap-free, pole-to-pole coverage over the entire globe. Iridium’s constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites (and multiple in-orbit spares) provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by other communication networks. Iridium has been steadily growing subscribers at a double-digit annual rate since 2004, driven by increasing demand for reliable, secure, global communications. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of more than 210 distributors, and also provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and other U.S. and international government agencies. The company’s customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, which will enable satellite-based innovations beyond communications. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md. and is privately held.

About American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work.

About ProtectingAmerica.org

ProtectingAmerica.org was formed in 2005 and is a non-profit organization consisting of emergency management officials, first responders, disaster relief experts, insurers and others. Its members include the American Red Cross, more than 300 other organizations and businesses and more than 15,000 individuals from across the nation.

At the core of ProtectingAmerica.org’s mission is the establishment of a comprehensive, integrated national catastrophe management solution that will better prepare and protect American families, communities, consumers and the American economy from catastrophe. Among its efforts to support this mission, ProtectingAmerica.org is working to increase public awareness and consumer education; advocate for better coordination with local, state and federal mitigation and recovery efforts, and strengthen emergency response and financial mechanisms to rebuild after a major catastrophe.

In addition to its education and public awareness programs, the organization is supporting federal legislation that would establish a privately financed national catastrophe fund to serve as a backstop to state catastrophe funds. The funds’ private deposits and the majority of the earnings could only be used to cover replacement and rebuilding costs following major catastrophic events. A portion of the earnings could be used to increase public and consumer education, strengthen first responders, enhance building codes and improve their enforcement.

Contacts

Vizada Americas
Catherine Melquist, +1 301-838-7762
catherine.melquist {at} vizada(.)com
or
Iridium Satellite LLC
Liz DeCastro, + 1 301-571-6257
liz.decastro {at} iridium(.)com