iridium communications inc. is the only mobile satellite service (mss) company offering pole-to-pole 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's subscriber growth has been driven by increasing demand for reliable, secure, global communications. iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of hundreds of distributors, and provides services to the u.s. department of defense, and other u.s. and international government agencies. the company's worldwide customer base represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. iridium is in the planning and development phase for its next-generation satellite constellation, iridium next, which will begin launching and 2015 and r