COM DEV Ships 1,000th Iridium(R) Antenna
CAMBRIDGE, ON, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - COM DEV International Ltd. (TSE/ME:CDV) today announced the shipment of the 1,000th antenna to Motorola for use on satellites it builds for the Iridium System. In the largest volume commercial satellite antenna contract ever awarded, Motorola commissioned COM DEV's Space Group to build more than 1,000 antennas for the Iridium System.
''We are extremely proud of COM DEV's accomplishments, as well as our highly successful relationship with Motorola,'' said Peter Richter, Director of Antenna Products for the Space Group. ''Our Antenna Product team successfully exceeded all Motorola's targets and surpassed the delivery schedule by more than a full year.''
The Iridium System is a global wireless communications network that combines the worldwide reach of 66 low-earth orbit satellites with land-based wireless systems to enable customers to communicate using handheld telephones and pagers virtually anywhere in the world. The Iridium satellites circle 780 kilometres above the earth, from north to south in six equally spaced planes, each containing 11 satellites. Communications are relayed from satellite to satellite using Crosslink antennas, as well as through Gateway antennas to 12
ground station gateways that connect the system to public telephones or cellular networks.
Each satellite carries a set of 10 antennas supplied by COM DEV: four
Gateway antennas to provide up to four simultaneous links to tracking stations on the ground; four Crosslink antennas to provide communications with adjacent satellites; and two antennas for telemetry and control.
Motorola Satellite Communications Group (SATCOM) is a leading provider of global, digital communications networks and associated satellite and ground infrastructures. Motorola SATCOM is the prime contractor for the Iridium System, managing a world-class team of leaders for the development and integration of the network, as well as manufacturing the payload and assembling the satellites. It is also involved with the development of other communications systems. In May 1998, Motorola announced an agreement with Teledesic LLC, for Motorola SATCOM to be the prime contractor for a satellite-based broadband data infrastructure.
COM DEV International Ltd., a member of the TSE 300 (TSE/ME:CDV), is a leading manufacturer of space and ground-based wireless communications products and subsystems, and consists of three operating units: the Space Group, the Wireless Group, and COM DEV Wireless Systems.
The Space Group manufactures advanced products that are sold to the major satellite prime contractors for use in commercial communications satellites. The Wireless Group manufactures ground-based infrastructure subsystems used in microwave and radio frequency systems, such as GSM and CDMA-based digital telephone systems, and wireless local loop networks. These products are sold
primarily to major PCS wireless equipment vendors. COM DEV Wireless Systems manufactures advanced RF and digital coverage enhancement products, such as indoor distribution systems, which are sold to wireless system operators.
COM DEV is a Canadian-based technology company and employs more than 1,000 people in facilities in Ontario, New Brunswick, the United States, the United Kingdom and China.
Iridium is a registered trademark and service mark of Iridium LLC 1998.
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in any forward-looking statements. The company cautions that, among other things, in view of the rapid changes in the wireless communications markets and technologies, and other risks including the cost and market acceptance of the company's new products, the level of individual customer procurements and competitive product offerings and pricing, and general economic circumstances, the company's business prospects may be materially different from forward-looking statements made by the company.
For further information: Investor Relations/Media Contact: Anita Davis, Vice President Corporate Development, Tel: (519) 622-5004, Fax:
(519) 622-6391, E-mail: investor.relations@comdev.ca, Website:
www.comdev.ca; Analyst Contact: David Belbeck, Chief Financial Officer, Tel: (519) 622-2300 ext. 288, E-mail: david.belbeck@comdev.ca |
