Iridium Satellite launched Short Messaging Services (SMS) allowing subscribers to send and receive up to 160 characters per message to and from other subscribers anywhere around the globe. Subscribers will also be able to send and receive messages via e-mail addresses. Iridium operates a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites plus 14 additional in- orbit spares. An additional service, Short Burst Data, was launched at the beginning of June, 2003 and enables the transfer of compressed data files of up to 1,960 bytes, well suited for applications such as asset tracking and pipeline monitoring.
http://www.iridium.com
- In December 2002, the U.S. Department of Defense renewed an existing airtime contract with Iridium Satellite that gives unlimited airtime to 20,000 government workers who use the Iridium satellite network for mobile voice, data and paging capabilities. Boeing operates the satellite constellation system under contract to Iridium.