S3 Group Selected to Power New Generation of Iridium Communications Devices

DUBLIN, IRELAND--(Marketwire - Mar 20, 2012) - S3 Group, today announced that Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), has selected the company to develop a new custom Integrated Circuit(IC) to be used in satellite communications devices, handsets, transceivers and modems that will operate off the current Iridium network and the Iridium NEXT system. S3 Group is a global provider of Mixed Signal, Analog, RF and Power Management semiconductor IP solutions and Design Services. Iridium is operator of the world's furthest-reaching communications network and a vital part of the global communications infrastructure. Iridium NEXT is the most significant commercial space program underway today. It will replace the current Iridium satellite constellation, with a planned start in 2015. Iridium NEXT will deliver higher data speeds, powerful new services and devices, IP technology advantages and backward compatibility with current devices and applications for customers.

This S3 Group contract follows the successful technological contribution S3 Group made to the Iridium® 9602 short burst data transceiver product. S3 Group is developing an Iridium Radio Frequency (RF) custom IC using Intellectual Property(IP) from its RF and Mixed Signal portfolio along with custom design skills, which will allow the next-generation Iridium communications devices to deliver the upgraded services enabled by the NEXT system.

"As a company of relentless innovators, we designed Iridium NEXT to enable organizations and people to communicate everywhere in the world in ways never before thought possible," said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium and Via Satellite Magazine's Satellite Executive of the Year 2011. "Our next-generation devices will provide breakthrough improvements in size and performance and deliver the promise of Iridium NEXT. More than 275 partner companies design, build and launch innovative, new products and services that extend the reach of our unique network. So, it is critical for us to select the strongest design partners when it comes to development of our core devices. S3 Group is a category leader, having delivered a first-time-right working chipset for the Iridium 9602, and ahead of schedule. That made S3 Group a natural choice to develop the new RF IC for Iridium NEXT."

"It is a pleasure to be working with Iridium again on their latest leading-edge technology," said John O'Brien, CEO, S3 Group. "We are bringing our RF, analog and digital IC design skills to bear in this large and complex solution. The fact that S3 Group's custom chip development can enable Iridium to achieve a significant reduction in their product bill of materials (BOM) cost is something of which we are very proud."

About S3 Group:
S3 Group delivers IP and professional services to OEMs, System vendors and semiconductor companies. The company is the longest serving independent service provider in the industry, building a wealth of experience and engineering expertise over the last 25 years. In addition to design services the company has a comprehensive portfolio of RF and mixed-signal IP. The IP portfolio includes high performance ADC and DAC converters, PLLs, Analog Front Ends (AFEs), Power Management, RF Transceivers and other miscellaneous circuits which have been silicon proven at a number of silicon foundries (TSMC, GlobalFoundries, UMC, SMIC, IBM, Tower) at nodes ranging from 180nm to 40nm and below. Global end markets served by S3 Group clients include Wireless and Wireline Communications, Digital Broadcasting, Imaging, Solar, Green Energy and Industrial. Founded in 1986, S3 Group, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, focuses on three business areas: Semiconductor, TV Technology and Telehealth, and has development centers in Ireland, USA, Poland, Czech Republic and Portugal with sales offices and representatives worldwide. For further information please visit www.s3group.com/silicon.

About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense 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. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., U.S.A. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units).

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