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Satellite Communications

Iridium's 9505 model is touted as the small est satellite phone available. $l.50/per min. — with no additional long distance, roaming or zoning charges.

As Picasso and his team fully real- ize, trying to shoe- horn the same old product to a market that rejected it some 12 months earlier would be a mistake. Thus, the new company, realizing the diver- sity of needs in the maritime realm, but understanding the core desire for seam- less communication, increased data capability, innovative add-on services and, of course, affordable cost, bringing to the table innovations it believes will make it a success.

The company plans to keep on the cut- ting edge of technology, and predicts that it will provide short burst messag- ing service within 12 months' time.

Launched in June 2001, Iridium's data and Internet services are viewed as cru- cial for remote mobile telecommunica- tions. Iridium's dial up data capability provides connectivity to corporate data users at 2.4 kpbs, while the company's direct-Internet data services provides a connection at 10 kbps - providing a quick connection even to those based on an oil rig located offshore Gulf of Mex- ico. Even more attractive is the compa- ny's data services are included with voice telephony charges — all for the same price of $ 1.50 per/min.

Head of the Table

While Picasso may sit at the head of the Iridium helm, he is quick to credit his colleagues, whom he describes as technology driven — specifically Dan

Colussy, Iridium's chairman. Colussy, who this past December, along with a group of private investors purchased the assets of Iridium LLC, had a tremendous vision in seeing to it that the Iridium got off the ground. "Dan pulled together the investors (Boeing, Motorola), which is nothing short of phenomenal," Picasso said. "With the business structure in place, the hardest part is done — all the parts and pieces finally come together."

As for himself, Picasso sees his posi- tion at Iridium as the greatest opportuni- ty that he has ever experienced. Refer- ring to his tenure at Iridium as "absolutely extraordinary," Picasso said. "Personally speaking, my career ambi- tion has been met by seeing this (Iridi- um) through — it's a perfect match," he said. "While it's a tremendous undertak- ing and a tremendous innovation, I am absolutely satisfied."

July, 2001

A seasoned technological "guru,"

Picasso's resume proves that he is capa- ble of driving Iridium higher into the sky. Boasting more than 20 years of experience within the telecommunica- tions and international satellite network- ing arena, Picasso was previously presi- dent and COO of Ace*Comm Corpora- tion, a provider of support systems (OSS) software to telecommunications service providers. While there, he direct- ed and expanded global sales, increased the company's profitability, while streamlining and reorganizing opera- tions ensuring the company's place in real-time data warehousing and infor-

Want to be a marine operations specialist?

Didn't think so. mation delivery systems crucial to future communication network operators.

Picasso also spent a few years at Gen- eral Electric Company, where he held a variety of positions at GE Capital

Spacenet Services, GE Americom and

GE Communications Services. As presi- dent of GE Spacenet, Picasso managed

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