Icom Inc. (Headquarters: Hirano, Osaka, Japan/President: Masataka Harima) has entered into a partnership with Iridium Communications Inc. (Headquarters: McLean, Virginia., USA/CEO: Matthew J. Desch) to develop and sell a new satellite Push-To-Talk (PTT) communications product for the Iridium® network. In a smart collaboration of both companies’ core competencies, Icom’s radio expertise and Iridium’s satellite expertise, the partnership will provide a professional radio communications solution which will enable users to communicate wherever they are on the earth.
The Satellite PTT radio is a professional radio communications system using the Iridium satellite communication network. This system enables real-time, one-to-many communication throughout the world with only a push of a PTT (transmit) button. In addition, Iridium’s unique interconnected satellite architecture ensures stable and reliable communication even if large-scale disasters occur on earth and terrestrial networks are compromised. Icom President Masataka Harima says, “Icom has been developing various wireless communications equipment for land use, marine use, and air band use. This Satellite PTT project will be a tough challenge, but the project will fill an important piece of our product lineups that cover all areas from the surface of the earth and even in to space. We continue to challenge ourselves.”
“The market has shown a clear demand for a PTT-only radio solution designed for the Iridium network,” said Mr. Joel Thompson, vice president, Global Product and Service Management, Iridium. “With Icom’s significant experience in the LMR sector, we believe they are the perfect partner to introduce what will be the world’s first truly-global PTT-only handheld.”
Shipment time and price of the product are still not fixed as of this announcement.
Source: ICOM