10-Q

ar

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2016

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-33963

Iridium Communications Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	26-1344998
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1400, McLean, Virginia	22102
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

703-287-7400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x		Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No   x

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of April 25, 2016 was 95,518,031.

IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item No.		Page
Part I. Financial Information
	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
ITEM  2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	15
ITEM  3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	24
ITEM  4.	Controls and Procedures.	24
Part II. Other Information
ITEM  1.	Legal Proceedings.	25
ITEM  1A.	Risk Factors.	25
ITEM  2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	25
ITEM  3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	25
ITEM  4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	25
ITEM  5.	Other Information	25
ITEM  6.	Exhibits	25
	Signatures	26

2

PART I.

Iridium Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	287,202		$	185,665
Marketable securities		124,935			203,329
Accounts receivable, net		53,284			51,668
Inventory		25,201			27,926
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		15,757			13,130
Total current assets		506,379			481,718
Property and equipment, net		2,516,765			2,443,567
Restricted cash		102,103			91,112
Other assets		7,848			8,188
Intangible assets, net		46,389			46,589
Total assets	$	3,179,484		$	3,071,174
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	8,439		$	31,525
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		27,576			29,402
Interest payable		9,240			3,720
Deferred revenue		36,307			36,967
Total current liabilities		81,562			101,614
Accrued satellite operations and maintenance expense, net
of current portion		13,908			14,182
Credit facility, net		1,460,447			1,388,766
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		311,904			296,832
Deferred revenue, net of current portion		28,538			28,567
Other long-term liabilities		25,496			12,492
Total liabilities		1,921,855			1,842,453
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000 shares authorized,
issued and outstanding		-			-
Series B Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, 500 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding		-			-
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 95,515
and 95,126 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		96			95
Additional paid-in capital		1,046,738			1,044,488
Retained earnings		217,862			193,201
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(7,067	)		(9,063	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,257,629			1,228,721
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,179,484		$	3,071,174

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Iridium Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2016			2015
Revenue:
Services	$	79,823		$	75,424
Subscriber equipment		17,560			16,540
Engineering and support services		6,819			5,043
Total revenue		104,202			97,007
Operating expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation
and amortization)		15,903			14,882
Cost of subscriber equipment		10,463			10,647
Research and development		2,559			4,126
Selling, general and administrative		19,063			20,524
Depreciation and amortization		12,936			13,355
Total operating expenses		60,924			63,534
Operating income		43,278			33,473
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net		758			1,237
Undrawn credit facility fees		(503	)		(917	)
Other expense, net		(13	)		(214	)
Total other income		242			106
Income before income taxes		43,520			33,579
Provision for income taxes		(15,000	)		(12,560	)
Net income		28,520			21,019
Series A Preferred Stock dividends		1,750			1,750
Series B Preferred Stock dividends		2,109			2,109
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	24,661		$	17,160
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		95,656			94,527
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		123,035			122,313
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share - basic	$	0.26		$	0.18
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted	$	0.23		$	0.17
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	28,520		$	21,019
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		1,867			(1,401	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax		129			61
Comprehensive income	$	30,516		$	19,679

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Iridium Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	47,019		$	51,531
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(75,822	)		(50,053	)
Purchases of marketable securities		(13,474	)		(36,650	)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities		91,653			27,240
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		2,357			(59,463	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under the Credit Facility		71,939			22,368
Payment of deferred financing fees		(4,473	)		(1,649	)
Restricted cash deposits		(10,990	)		(2,477	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		17			340
Tax payment upon settlement of stock awards		(566	)		(680	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			533
Payment of Series A Preferred Stock dividends		(1,750	)		(1,750	)
Payment of Series B Preferred Stock dividends		(2,109	)		(2,109	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		52,068			14,576
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		93			(115	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		101,537			6,529
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		185,665			211,249
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	287,202		$	217,778
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	$	500		$	426
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property and equipment received but not paid for yet	$	3,150		$	1,314
Interest capitalized but not paid	$	30,383		$	24,544
Capitalized amortization of deferred financing costs	$	4,214		$	4,422
Capitalized stock-based compensation	$	659		$	302
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends accrued on Series A Preferred Stock	$	292		$	292
Dividends accrued on Series B Preferred Stock	$	351		$	351

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Iridium Communications Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”) has prepared its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) the Company, (ii) its wholly owned subsidiaries, and (iii) all less than wholly owned subsidiaries that the Company controls. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that the Company considers necessary for the fair presentation of its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods covered, and of the financial position of the Company at the date of the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC on February 25, 2016.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendment requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendment.  The Company applied the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the accompanying financial statements. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  The implementation of this accounting standard resulted in a reduction of $133.3 million and $133.1 million in the deferred financing costs asset and in the credit facility as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, as shown below.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Credit facility	$	1,593,761		$	1,521,822
Deferred financing costs		(133,314	)		(133,056	)
Credit facility, net	$	1,460,447		$	1,388,766

6

Recent Accounting Developments 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  The amendment addresses multiple changes.  The amendment requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company will be required to make the disclosures about a change in accounting principle, but will not have to quantify the income statement effect of the change in the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-09 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases.  The amendment requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to today’s accounting.  This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted and reporting organizations are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-02 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendment requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory measured using last-in, first-out and retail inventory method are excluded from this new guidance. This ASU replaces the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value and is intended to create efficiencies for preparers and more closely aligns U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years. Prospective application is required and early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2015-11 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard, ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,  that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The amendment requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for public entities to be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be permitted no earlier than the original effective date beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, and is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2014-09 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Warranty Expense

The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product. The Company maintains a warranty reserve based on historical experience of warranty costs and expected occurrences of warranty claims on equipment. Costs associated with warranties, including equipment replacements, repairs, freight, and program administration, are recorded as cost of subscriber equipment in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.  The Company’s warranty liability has decreased $3.3 million from $6.6 million as of March 31, 2015 to $3.3 million as of March 31, 2016 as a result of product quality improvements.  The Company’s warranty provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $0.4 million compared to the prior year period. This increase is primarily the result of an increased number of Iridium Pilot^® units under warranty, partially offset by a reduction in the Company’s estimate for future returns. Changes in the warranty reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period	$	3,320
Provision		362
Utilization		(340	)
Balance at end of the period	$	3,342

7

Fair Value Measurements

The Company evaluates assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring and non-recurring basis to determine the appropriate level to classify them for each reporting period. This determination requires significant judgments to be made by management of the Company. The instruments identified as subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following tiers:

• Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

• Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The carrying values of short-term financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s investments in money market funds approximates its carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 1 and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Company’s investments in commercial paper and short-term U.S. agency securities with original maturities of less than ninety days approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 2 and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with original maturities of greater than ninety days are obtained using similar investments traded on active securities exchanges and are classified as Level 2 and are included in marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For fixed income securities that do not have quoted prices in active markets, the Company uses third-party vendors to price its debt securities resulting in classification as Level 2.

Depreciation and Amortization

The Company calculates depreciation expense using the straight line method and evaluates the appropriateness of the useful life used on a quarterly basis or as events occur that require additional assessment. In addition to the changes made in prior quarters, in the first quarter of 2016, the Company updated its estimate of the current satellites’ remaining useful lives based on the continued refinement of the launch schedule and deployment plan for the Company’s next-generation satellite constellation (“Iridium NEXT”). As a result, the estimated useful lives of the satellites within the current constellation have been extended and are consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. The $0.4 million decrease in depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year is primarily related to the refinement in the estimated useful lives. The change in estimate will also have an effect on future periods through the deployment of Iridium NEXT. The Company will continue to evaluate the useful lives of its current satellites on an ongoing basis through the full deployment of Iridium NEXT as the satellites are placed into service.

3. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents. These investments, along with cash deposited in institutional money market funds, regular interest bearing and non-interest bearing depository accounts, are classified as cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents:

	March 31,		December 31,		Recurring Fair
	2016		2015		ValueMeasurement
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	115,899	$	67,005
Money market funds		171,303		118,660	Level 1
Total Cash and cash equivalents	$	287,202	$	185,665

8

Restricted Cash

The Company is required to maintain a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to its $1.8 billion loan facility (the “Credit Facility”) (see Note 4). As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s restricted cash balance, which includes a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to the Credit Facility and the interest earned on these amounts, was $102.1 million and $91.1 million, respectively.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with an original maturity in excess of ninety days. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are included in marketable securities within current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All investments are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis of the marketable securities sold. There were no material realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the fair value of its investments to identify other-than-temporary declines in value. The Company determined that the decline in fair value of its investments is temporary at March 31, 2016 as the Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.

The following tables summarize the Company’s marketable securities:

	As of March 31, 2016
	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated		Recurring Fair
	Cost		UnrealizedGains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Value Measurement
	(in thousands)
Fixed-income debt securities	$	109,257	$	47	$	(66	)	$	109,238	Level 2
U.S. Treasury Notes		15,672		25		-			15,697	Level 2
Total Marketable Securities	$	124,929	$	72	$	(66	)	$	124,935

	As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated		Recurring Fair
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Value Measurement
	(in thousands)
Fixed-income debt securities	$	181,636	$	4	$	(200	)	$	181,440	Level 2
Commercial paper		9,821		-		(1	)	$	9,820	Level 2
U.S. Treasury Notes		12,079		-		(10	)		12,069	Level 2
Total Marketable Securities	$	203,536	$	4	$	(211	)	$	203,329

The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities:

	As of March 31, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	(in thousands)
Mature within one year	$	91,527	$	91,523	$	169,728	$	169,619
Mature after one year and within three years		33,402		33,412		33,808		33,710
Total	$	124,929	$	124,935	$	203,536	$	203,329

9

4. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Thales

In June 2010, the Company executed a primarily fixed-price full-scale development contract (the “FSD”) with Thales Alenia Space France (“Thales”) for the design and build of satellites for Iridium NEXT. The total price under the FSD is $2.3 billion, and the Company expects payment obligations under the FSD to extend into the first quarter of 2018. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had made aggregate payments of $1,612.5 million to Thales, of which $1,370.6 million were from borrowings under the Credit Facility, and which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company currently uses the Credit Facility to pay 85% of each invoice received from Thales under the FSD, with the remaining 15% funded from cash on hand. Once the Credit Facility is fully drawn, the Company expects to pay 100% of each invoice received from Thales from cash and marketable securities on hand as well as internally generated cash flows, including contracted cash flows from hosted payloads and potential cash flows from Iridium PRIME^SM.

SpaceX

In March 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) to secure SpaceX as the primary launch services provider for Iridium NEXT (as amended to date, the “SpaceX Agreement”). The total price under the SpaceX Agreement for seven launches and a reflight option in the event of a launch failure is $468.1 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had made aggregate payments of $315.3 million to SpaceX, which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Company made a $3.0 million refundable deposit to SpaceX in the first quarter of 2014 for the reservation of additional future launches, which is not included in the total contract price.

Kosmotras

In June 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with International Space Company Kosmotras (“Kosmotras”) as a supplemental launch service provider for Iridium NEXT (the “Kosmotras Agreement”). The Kosmotras Agreement originally provided for the purchase of up to six launches with options to purchase additional launches. Each launch can carry two satellites. In June 2013, the Company exercised an option for one launch to carry two Iridium NEXT satellites. If the Company does not exercise any additional options, the total cost under the contract including this single launch will be $51.8 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had made aggregate payments of $36.8 million to Kosmotras, which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The option to purchase two dedicated launches expired as of December 31, 2013, and in June 2015, the Company agreed with Kosmotras to replace the remaining options with a new set of options to purchase up to six dedicated launches.

Credit Facility

In October 2010, the Company entered into the Credit Facility with a syndicate of bank lenders (the “Lenders”). The Credit Facility was subsequently amended and restated in August 2012. In May 2014, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement (the “Supplemental Agreement”) with the Lenders under the Credit Facility to further amend and restate the Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, the Company reported $1,460.4 million in borrowings from the credit facility in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, net of $133.3 million of deferred financing costs, for an aggregate total of $1,593.8 million in borrowings. The unused portion of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 was $206.2 million. Pursuant to the Credit Facility, the Company maintains a minimum cash reserve for debt repayment. As of March 31, 2016, the minimum required cash reserve balance was $102.0 million, which is classified as restricted cash in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The minimum cash reserve requirement will increase over the term of the Credit Facility to $189.0 million in 2017.

10

Interest costs incurred under the Credit Facility were $18.2 million and $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  All interest costs incurred related to the Credit Facility have been capitalized during the construction period of the Iridium NEXT assets. The Company pays interest on a semi-annual basis in April and October through a combination of a cash payment and a deemed additional loan. The $18.2 million in interest incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016 consisted of $5.5 million payable in cash and $12.7 million payable by deemed loans. The $14.9 million in interest incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisted of $4.5 million payable in cash and $10.4 million payable by deemed loans. There were no payments made during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. At March 31, 2016, the deemed loan balance of $21.1 million is included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company is obligated to pay a cash commitment fee of 0.80% per year, in semi-annual installments, on any undrawn portion of the Credit Facility. In April 2016, the Company paid $1.2 million as a semi-annual installment of the commitment fee. The commitment fee payable on the undrawn portion of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 was $1.1 million and is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Contingencies

From time to time, in the normal course of business, the Company is party to various pending claims and lawsuits. The Company is not aware of any such actions that it would expect to have a material adverse impact on its business, financial results or financial condition.

5. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation at fair value. The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is equal to the closing price of the underlying common stock on the grant date. The fair value of an award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service or performance period and is classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in a manner consistent with the classification of the recipient’s compensation. The expected vesting of the Company’s performance-based RSUs is based upon the likelihood that the Company achieves the defined performance goals. The level of achievement of performance goals, if any, is determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Stock-based awards to non-employee consultants are expensed at their fair value as services are provided according to the terms of their agreements and are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

In May 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) to provide stock-based awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock and other equity securities, as incentives and rewards for employees, consultants and non-employee directors. As of March 31, 2016, 23,203,009 shares of common stock were registered for issuance as awards under the 2015 Plan.

In January 2016, members of the Company’s board of directors received a portion of their 2016 annual compensation in the form of equity awards, in an aggregate amount of approximately 126,000 RSUs. These RSUs were granted in January 2016 under the 2015 Plan, with 100% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSUs was $1.0 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company granted approximately 158,000 stock options and 564,000 service-based RSUs to its employees. Employee stock options and service-based RSUs generally vest over a four-year service period with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter. The estimated aggregate grant date fair values of the stock options and service-based RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $0.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

In addition, in March 2016, the Company awarded approximately 1,335,000 performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives and employees (the “Bonus RSUs”). The Company records stock-based compensation expense related to performance-based RSUs when it is considered probable that the performance conditions will be met. Vesting of the March 2016 Bonus RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals for the 2016 fiscal year. The level of achievement, if any, of performance goals will be determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and vest in March 2017. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of the Bonus RSUs was $9.4 million.

Additionally, in March 2016, the Company awarded approximately 119,000 performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives (the “March 2016 Performance RSUs”).  Vesting of the March 2016 Performance RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals over fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The number of March 2016 Performance RSUs that will

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ultimately vest may range from 0% to 150% of the original grant based on the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the Company achieves the performance goals, 50% of the March 2016 Performance RSUs will vest at the end of two years and the remaining 50% will vest at the end of the third year, subject to continued service. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of the March 2016 Performance RSUs was $0.8 million.

In January 2015, members of the Company’s board of directors received a portion of their 2015 annual compensation in the form of equity awards, in an aggregate amount of approximately 103,000 stock options and 62,000 RSUs. These stock options and RSUs were granted in January 2015 and vested through the end of 2015, with 25% vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the stock options was $0.4 million. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSUs was $0.6 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted approximately 558,000 stock options and 596,000 service-based RSUs to its employees. Employee stock options and service-based RSUs generally vest over a four-year service period with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter. The estimated aggregate grant date fair values of the stock options and service-based RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $2.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively.

In addition, in March 2015, the Company awarded approximately 161,000 performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives. Vesting of the March 2015 performance-based RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals over fiscal years 2015 and 2016. The number of performance-based RSUs that will ultimately vest may range from 0% to 150% of the original grant based on the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the Company achieves the performance goals, 50% of the performance-based RSUs will vest at the end of two years and the remaining 50% will vest at the end of the third year, subject to continued service. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of these performance-based RSUs was $1.5 million.

6. Equity Transactions and Instruments

Warrants

On September 29, 2009, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Iridium Holdings LLC, the Company issued warrants, each of which entitled the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. On February 14, 2015, all of the outstanding and unexercised warrants expired in accordance with their terms.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 2.0 million shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As described below, the Company issued 1.0 million shares of preferred stock in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 0.5 million shares of preferred stock in the second quarter of 2014. The remaining 0.5 million authorized shares of preferred stock remain undesignated and unissued as of March 31, 2016.

Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company issued 1.0 million shares of its 7.00% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) in a private offering. The Company received proceeds of $96.5 million from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock, net of the aggregate $3.5 million in initial purchaser discount and offering costs. The net proceeds of this offering were used to partially fund the construction and deployment of Iridium NEXT and for other general corporate purposes.

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.00% per annum of the $100 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual rate of $7.00 per share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. The Series A Preferred Stock does not have a stated maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock and pari passu with the Company’s 6.75% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights except for limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive) and in other specified circumstances. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may convert some or all of their outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at an initial conversion rate of 10.6022 shares of common stock per $100 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $9.43 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events).

During each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $1.8 million to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had accrued $0.3 million in cash dividends for

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the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, which is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On or after October 3, 2017, the Company may, at its option, convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into the number of shares of common stock that are issuable at the then-applicable conversion rate, subject to specified conditions. On or prior to October 3, 2017, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have a special right to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of common stock in the event of fundamental changes described in the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to specified conditions and limitations. In certain circumstances, the Company may also elect to settle conversions in cash as a result of these fundamental changes.

Series B Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock

In May 2014, the Company issued 500,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock in an underwritten public offering at a price to the public of $250 per share. The purchase price received by the Company, equal to $242.50 per share, reflected an underwriting discount of $7.50 per share. The Company received proceeds of $120.8 million from the sale of the Series B Preferred Stock, net of the $3.8 million underwriter discount and $0.4 million of offering costs. The net proceeds of this offering are being used to partially fund the construction and deployment of Iridium NEXT and for other general corporate purposes.

Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 6.75% per annum of the $250 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual rate of $16.875 per share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. The Series B Preferred Stock does not have a stated maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock and pari passu with respect to the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights except for limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive) and in other specified circumstances. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock may convert some or all of their outstanding Series B Preferred Stock at an initial conversion rate of 33.456 shares of common stock per $250 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $7.47 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events).

During each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $2.1 million to holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had accrued $0.4 million in cash dividends for the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

On or after May 15, 2019, the Company may, at its option, convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Stock into the number of shares of common stock that are issuable at the then-applicable conversion rate, subject to specified conditions. On or prior to May 15, 2019, in the event of certain specified fundamental changes, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to convert some or all of their shares of Series B Preferred Stock into the greater of (i) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock as subject to adjustment plus the make-whole premium, if any, and (ii) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the lesser of (a) the liquidation preference divided by the market value of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of such fundamental change and (b) 81.9672 (subject to adjustment). In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to cash settle any conversions in connection with a fundamental change.

7. Net Income Per Share

The Company calculates basic net income per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share takes into account the effect of potential dilutive common shares when the effect is dilutive. The effect of potential dilutive common shares, including common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock purchase warrants, is computed using the treasury stock method. The effect of potential dilutive common shares from the conversion of outstanding convertible preferred securities is computed using the as-if converted method at the stated conversion rate. The RSUs granted to members of the Company’s board of directors contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered to be participating securities in periods of net income. The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share excludes net income attributable to the unvested RSUs from the numerator and excludes the impact of unvested RSUs from the denominator.

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The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic net income per share)	$	24,661	$	17,160
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock		1,750		1,750
Dividends on Series B Preferred Stock		2,109		2,109
Numerator for diluted net income per share	$	28,520	$	21,019
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted    average outstanding common shares		95,656		94,527
Dilutive effect of stock options		49		441
Dilutive effect of contingently issuable shares		-		15
Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		10,602		10,602
Dilutive effect of Series B Preferred Stock		16,728		16,728
Denominator for diluted net income per share		123,035		122,313
Net income per share attributable to common    stockholders - basic	$	0.26	$	0.18
Net income per share attributable to common    stockholders - diluted	$	0.23	$	0.17

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, options to purchase 5.0 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, 1.5 million unvested RSUs were not included in the computation of basic net income per share and excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, warrants to purchase 0.1 million shares of common stock and options to purchase 0.4 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, 1.3 million unvested RSUs were not included in the computation of basic net income per share and excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

You should read the following discussion along with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 25, 2016 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as well as our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation, intent, contingencies, goals, targets or future development or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events, and they are subject to risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. The important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 filed on February 25, 2016, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview of Our Business

We are engaged primarily in providing mobile voice and data communications services using a constellation of orbiting satellites. We are the second largest provider of satellite-based mobile voice and data communications services based on revenue, and the only commercial provider of communications services offering true global coverage. Our satellite network provides communications services to regions of the world where wireless or wireline networks do not exist or are limited, including remote land areas, open oceans, airways, the polar regions, and regions where the telecommunications infrastructure has been affected by political conflicts or natural disasters.

We provide voice and data communications services to businesses, the U.S. and foreign governments, non-governmental organizations and consumers via our satellite network, which has an architecture of 66 in-orbit satellites with in-orbit spares and related ground infrastructure. We utilize an interlinked mesh architecture to route traffic across our satellite constellation using radio frequency crosslinks between satellites. This unique architecture minimizes the need for local ground facilities to support the constellation, which facilitates the global reach of our services and allows us to offer services in countries and regions where we have no physical presence.

We sell our products and services to commercial end-users through a wholesale distribution network, encompassing more than 75 service providers, more than 200 value-added resellers, or VARs, and more than 60 value-added manufacturers, or VAMs, which create and sell technology that uses the Iridium^® network either directly to the end user or indirectly through other service providers, VARs or dealers. These distributors often integrate our products and services with other complementary hardware and software and have developed a broad suite of applications using our products and services to target specific lines of business. We expect that demand for our services will increase as more applications are developed and deployed that utilize our technology.

At March 31, 2016, we had approximately 788,000 billable subscribers worldwide, representing an increase of 5% from approximately 748,000 billable subscribers at March 31, 2015. We have a diverse customer base, with end users in the following lines of business: land-based handset; machine-to-machine, or M2M; maritime; aviation; and government.

We recognize revenue from both the sale of equipment and the provision of services. We expect a higher proportion of our future revenue will be derived from service revenue. Revenues from providing voice and data service historically have generated higher gross margins than sales of subscriber equipment.

This summer, we expect to begin launching our new satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. Iridium NEXT will maintain the architecture of our current constellation, with 66 in-orbit satellites, as well as six in-orbit spares, and we are building nine ground spares. We have contracted with Thales Alenia Space France, or Thales, to construct the Iridium NEXT satellites, which are designed to be compatible with our current constellation and current end-user equipment, so that as the Iridium NEXT satellites are launched, they will replace satellites in the current constellation without affecting the service to our end users. We plan to deploy 70 satellites on seven Falcon 9 rockets launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, and two satellites on a Dnepr rocket launched by International Space Company Kosmotras, or Kosmotras. We expect to complete the deployment of the Iridium NEXT constellation in 2017. We estimate the costs associated with the design, build and launch of Iridium NEXT and related ground infrastructure upgrades through 2017 to be approximately $3 billion. Our funding plan for these costs includes the substantial majority of the funds available under our $1.8 billion credit facility, or the Credit Facility, together with cash on hand and internally generated cash flows, including contracted cash flows from hosted payloads and potential cash flows from Iridium PRIME^SM.

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The Iridium NEXT constellation will also host the Aireon^SM system to provide a global air traffic surveillance service through a series of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, or ADS-B, receivers on the Iridium NEXT satellites. Aireon LLC, our joint venture with the air navigation service providers, or ANSPs, of Canada, Italy, Denmark and Ireland, has contracted to provide the Aireon service to a number of ANSPs, including our co-investors in Aireon and NATS (En Route) PLC, the ANSP of the United Kingdom. Aireon also plans to offer the service to other ANSPs worldwide including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. Aireon will pay us a fee to host the ADS-B receivers on Iridium NEXT, as well as data services fees for the delivery of the air traffic surveillance data over the Iridium NEXT system. In addition, we have entered into an agreement with Harris Corporation, the manufacturer of the Aireon hosted payload, pursuant to which Harris pays us fees to allocate the remaining hosted payload capacity to its customers, and we anticipate that Harris will also pay us data service fees on behalf of these customers.

Recent Developments

Iridium NEXT

As described above, we expect to begin launching our new satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, this summer. Iridium NEXT satellites are under various stages of construction at the assembly, integration and test facility; our ground infrastructure upgrades are complete, and our Satellite Network Operations Center is ready to support Iridium NEXT. All hardware components have been qualified for use in space and the platform software is finished. We are testing the new satellites for flight-readiness and will shortly be getting the first ten ready to ship to Vandenberg Air Force Base. A number of key flight components, including the Aireon payload, onboard processor, spacecraft bus and main mission antenna, have also been manufactured in sufficient quantities to prepare for high-rate production.

As a result of the refinement of the Iridium NEXT launch schedule during the first quarter of 2016, we updated the estimated useful lives of the current satellites and extended the lives to be consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. We will continue to evaluate the useful lives of our current satellites through the full deployment of Iridium NEXT as the satellites are placed into service.

The Credit Facility requires us to obtain insurance covering the launch and first 12 months of operation of the Iridium NEXT satellites. We are in the process of placing this insurance. The Credit Facility requires us to obtain, at least three months prior to each of the first two launches on the Falcon 9 rocket and our launch on the Dnepr rocket, insurance covering such launch and the first 12 months of operation of the Iridium NEXT satellites on such launch. In addition, at least three months prior to the third SpaceX launch, we are required to obtain insurance covering the final five SpaceX launches and the first 12 months of operation of the Iridium NEXT satellites launched on such launches.

We expect to use our nine ground spares and a prepaid relaunch right with SpaceX to self-insure a portion of our launch and in-orbit risks, as permitted under the Credit Facility. While we believe this will enable us to obtain insurance at a substantially lower cost than would be possible without the ground spares and relaunch right, if we use our ground spares to replace lost satellites, we will likely choose to purchase additional satellites to maintain a backup supply of ground spares. The cost of such additional ground spares is not included in the $3 billion estimated cost for the design, build and launch of Iridium NEXT and related infrastructure upgrades through 2017.

Material Trends and Uncertainties

Our industry and customer base has historically grown as a result of:

· demand for remote and reliable mobile communications services;

· increased demand for communications services by disaster and relief agencies, and emergency first responders;

· a broad wholesale distribution network with access to diverse and geographically dispersed niche markets;

· a growing number of new products and services and related applications;

· improved data transmission speeds for mobile satellite service offerings;

· regulatory mandates requiring the use of mobile satellite services;

· a general reduction in prices of mobile satellite services and subscriber equipment; and

· geographic market expansion through the ability to offer our services in additional countries.

Nonetheless, we face a number of challenges and uncertainties in operating our business, including:

· our ability to develop and launch Iridium NEXT;

· our ability to develop new and innovative products and services for Iridium NEXT;

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· our ability to access the Credit Facility to meet our future capital requirements for the manufacture and launch of the Iridium NEXT satellites;

· our ability to generate sufficient internal cash flows, including contracted cash flows from hosted payloads and potential cash flows from Iridium PRIME, to fund a portion of the costs associated with Iridium NEXT and support ongoing business;

· Aireon LLC’s ability to successfully deploy and market its space-based ADS-B global aviation monitoring service to be carried as a hosted payload on the Iridium NEXT system;

· Aireon’s ability to raise sufficient funds to pay hosting fees to us;

· our ability to maintain the health, capacity, control and level of service of our existing satellite network through the transition to Iridium NEXT;

· changes in general economic, business and industry conditions, including the effects of currency exchange rates;

· our reliance on a single primary commercial gateway and a primary satellite network operations center;

· competition from other mobile satellite service providers and, to a lesser extent, from the expansion of terrestrial-based cellular phone systems and related pricing pressures;

· market acceptance of our products;

· regulatory requirements in existing and new geographic markets;

· rapid and significant technological changes in the telecommunications industry;

· reliance on our wholesale distribution network to market and sell our products, services and applications effectively;

· reliance on single-source suppliers for the manufacture of most of our subscriber equipment and for some of the components required in the manufacture of our end-user subscriber equipment and our ability to purchase parts that are periodically subject to shortages resulting from surges in demand, natural disasters or other events; and

· reliance on a few significant customers, particularly agencies of the U.S. government, for a substantial portion of our revenue, as a result of which the loss or decline in business with any of these customers may negatively impact our revenue and collectability of related accounts receivable.

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Comparison of Our Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

	Three Months Ended March 31,
				% of Total						% of Total			Change
($ in thousands)	2016			Revenue			2015			Revenue			Dollars			Percent
Revenue:
Services	$	79,823			77	%	$	75,424			78	%	$	4,399			6	%
Subscriber equipment		17,560			16	%		16,540			17	%		1,020			6	%
Engineering and support services		6,819			7	%		5,043			5	%		1,776			35	%
Total revenue		104,202			100	%		97,007			100	%		7,195			7	%
Operating expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation
and amortization)		15,903			15	%		14,882			15	%		1,021			7	%
Cost of subscriber equipment		10,463			10	%		10,647			11	%		(184	)		(2	%)
Research and development		2,559			3	%		4,126			4	%		(1,567	)		(38	%)
Selling, general and administrative		19,063			18	%		20,524			21	%		(1,461	)		(7	%)
Depreciation and amortization		12,936			12	%		13,355			14	%		(419	)		(3	%)
Total operating expenses		60,924			58	%		63,534			65	%		(2,610	)		(4	%)
Operating income		43,278			42	%		33,473			35	%		9,805			29	%
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net		758			1	%		1,237			1	%		(479	)		(39	%)
Undrawn credit facility fees		(503	)		(1	%)		(917	)		(1	%)		414			(45	%)
Other expense, net		(13	)		0	%		(214	)		0	%		201			(94	%)
Total other income		242			0	%		106			0	%		136			128	%
Income before income taxes		43,520			42	%		33,579			35	%		9,941			30	%
Provision for income taxes		(15,000	)		(14	%)		(12,560	)		(13	%)		(2,440	)		19	%
Net income	$	28,520			28	%	$	21,019			22	%	$	7,501			36	%

Commercial Service Revenue 

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2016						March 31, 2015						Change
	(Revenue in millions and subscribers in thousands)
			Billable						Billable							Billable
	Revenue		Subscribers(1)		ARPU (2)		Revenue		Subscribers (1)		ARPU (2)		Revenue			Subscribers			ARPU
Commercial voice and data	$	42.7		348	$	40	$	42.8		351	$	40	$	(0.1	)		(3	)	$	-
Commercial M2M data		15.1		365		14		14.6		334		15		0.5			31			(1	)
Total Commercial	$	57.8		713			$	57.4		685			$	0.4			28

(1) Billable subscriber numbers shown are at the end of the respective period.

(2) Average monthly revenue per unit, or ARPU, is calculated by dividing revenue in the respective period by the average of the number of billable subscribers at the beginning of the period and the number of billable subscribers at the end of the period and then dividing the result by the number of months in the period.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, commercial voice and data revenue decreased slightly primarily due to continued declines in airtime usage, partially offset by increased subscriptions to Iridium push-to-talk, or PTT, which we commercially launched in 2015.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, commercial M2M data revenue increased primarily due to a 9% increase in commercial M2M data billable subscribers, partially offset by a decline in the related ARPU due to the growth in subscribers using lower data usage plans.

We anticipate continued growth in billable commercial subscribers for the remainder of 2016.

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Government Service Revenue 

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2015

Change

(Revenue in millions and subscribers in thousands)

Billable

Billable

Billable

Revenue

Subscribers(1)

Revenue

Subscribers (1)

Revenue

Subscribers

Government service revenue

$

22.0

75

$

18.0

63

$

4.0

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(1) Billable subscriber numbers shown are at the end of the respective period.

Government service revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased to $22.0 million from $18.0 million in the prior year period as a result of a contractual price increase under the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services, or EMSS, contract with the U.S. government’s Defense Information Systems Agency. Under this contract, revenue is a fixed monthly amount and is not based on subscribers or usage, allowing an unlimited number of users access to existing services. As we continue to innovate and better meet the needs of our customers, additional services not contemplated under the current EMSS contract may be provided in future periods at an amount mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Subscriber Equipment Revenue

Subscriber equipment revenue increased $1.0 million, or 6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher unit sales of our Iridium Pilot terminals and Iridium Extreme^® PTT handsets which were introduced in late 2015 partially offset by fewer sales of our Iridium M2M devices and L-Band transceivers.

Engineering and Support Service Revenue

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2016		March 31, 2015		Change
	(In millions)
Government	$	6.1	$	4.5	$	1.6
Commercial		0.7		0.5		0.2
Total	$	6.8	$	5.0	$	1.8

Engineering and support service revenue increased by $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of multiple U.S. Department of Defense contracts entered into in late 2015 to upgrade the Iridium Extreme handset and continue the gateway modernization efforts as we transition to Iridium NEXT capabilities.  

Operating Expenses

Cost of Services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) includes the cost of network engineering and operations staff, including contractors, software maintenance, product support services and cost of services for government and commercial engineering and support service revenue.

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased $1.0 million, or 7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from the prior year period primarily due to higher contract activity related to multiple U.S. Department of Defense contracts, partially offset by decreased costs related to network operations and maintenance and product support.

Cost of Subscriber Equipment

Cost of subscriber equipment includes the direct costs of equipment sold, which consist of manufacturing costs, allocation of overhead, and warranty costs.

Cost of subscriber equipment decreased by $0.2 million, or 2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period. This decrease is primarily due to decreased manufacturing costs on certain products, partially offset by increased costs on a higher volume of Iridium Extreme PTT handsets and Iridium Pilot terminals.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses decreased by $1.6 million, or 38%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period due to decreased spend on Iridium NEXT projects.

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Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to the sale of services or products include sales and marketing costs as well as employee-related expenses (such as salaries, wages, and benefits), legal, finance, information technology, facilities, billing and customer care expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.5 million, or 7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to decreases in marketing expenses, reduced corporate administrative costs, and legal fees related to reduced litigation costs.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $0.4 million, or 3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a change in the estimated useful lives of the satellites within our current constellation. In addition to the changes made in prior quarters, we updated our analysis of the current satellites’ remaining useful lives in the first quarter of 2016. Based on the results of the continued refinement of the Iridium NEXT launch schedule and deployment plan, the estimated useful lives of the satellites within our current constellation were extended and are consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. We will continue to evaluate the useful lives of our current satellites through the full deployment of Iridium NEXT as the satellites are placed into service. We have not lost any satellites in 2016 or 2015.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest Income, net

Interest income, net, decreased by $0.5 million, or 39%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period primarily due to more timely customer collections resulting in lower customer finance charges.
Undrawn Credit Facility Fees

Commitment fees on the undrawn portion of the Credit Facility were $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $0.9 million for the prior year period. The decrease of the commitment fee is directly proportional to the increase in the amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility as we continue to finance the development of Iridium NEXT.

Provision for Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, our income tax provision was $15.0 million, compared to $12.6 million for the prior year period.  The change in the income tax provision was primarily related to an increase in our income before income taxes, partially offset by a decrease in our effective tax rate which is primarily related to lower state taxes in the current period compared to the prior period.  If our current estimates change in future periods, the impact on the deferred tax assets and liabilities may change correspondingly.

Net Income

Net income was $28.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $7.5 million from the prior year period. This increase in net income was driven by a $7.2 million increase in total revenue which was primarily related to the $4.0 million rate increase on the EMSS contract and a decrease of $2.6 million in total operating expenses as a result of a $1.6 million decrease in research and development. These increases to net income were offset by a $2.4 million increase in the provision for income taxes primarily due to the increase in our income before income taxes.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2016, our total cash and cash equivalents balance was $287.2 million, and our marketable securities balance was $124.9 million. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, internally generated cash flows, and the Credit Facility. Our principal liquidity requirements are to meet capital expenditure needs, principally the design, build and launch of Iridium NEXT, as well as for working capital, interest payments on the Credit Facility, and dividends payable on our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.

We estimate the aggregate costs associated with the design, build and launch of Iridium NEXT and related infrastructure upgrades through 2017 to be approximately $3 billion. Our funding plan for these costs includes the substantial majority of the funds available under the Credit Facility, together with cash and marketable securities on hand, and internally generated cash flows, including contracted cash flows from hosted payloads and potential cash flows from Iridium PRIME. We currently use the Credit Facility to pay 85% of each invoice we receive from Thales under our contract for the development and construction of our Iridium NEXT satellites, with the remaining 15% funded from cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities on hand. We also utilize the Credit Facility to fund the COFACE insurance premiums and a portion of the interest under the Credit Facility. Once the Credit Facility is fully drawn, which we expect to occur in late 2016, we expect to pay 100% of each invoice we receive from Thales and all interest on the Credit Facility from cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities on hand, and internally generated cash flows, including contracted cash flows from hosted payloads and potential cash flows from Iridium PRIME.

The Credit Facility contains borrowing restrictions, including financial performance covenants and covenants relating to hosted payloads, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to borrow funds under the Credit Facility. There can also be no assurance that our internally generated cash flows, including those from Iridium PRIME and hosted payloads on our Iridium NEXT satellites, will meet our current expectations. If we do not generate sufficient cash flows, or if the cost of implementing Iridium NEXT or the other elements of our business plan are higher than anticipated, we may need further external funding. Our ability to obtain additional funding may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including global economic conditions, and such funding may not be available on reasonable terms or at all. If we are not able to secure such funding in a timely manner, our ability to maintain our network, to design, build and launch Iridium NEXT and related ground infrastructure, products and services, and to pursue additional growth opportunities will be impaired, and we would likely need to delay some elements of our Iridium NEXT development. Our liquidity and our ability to fund our liquidity requirements also depend on our future financial performance, which is subject to general economic, financial, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at an annual rate of $7.00 and $16.875 per share, respectively. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. For each full quarter that the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, is outstanding, and assuming that no shares have been converted into common stock, we are required to pay cash dividends of $1.75 million and $2.1 million, respectively. We expect that we will satisfy dividend requirements, if and when declared, from internally generated cash flows.

As of March 31, 2016, we reported $1,460.4 million in borrowings from the credit facility in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, net of $133.3 million of deferred financing costs, for an aggregate total of $1,593.8 million under the Credit Facility. The unused portion of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 was $206.2 million. Pursuant to the Credit Facility, we maintain a minimum cash reserve for debt repayment. As of March 31, 2016, the minimum required cash reserve balance was $102.0 million, which is classified as restricted cash in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The minimum cash reserve requirement will increase over the term of the Credit Facility to $189.0 million in 2017. In addition to the minimum debt service levels, financial covenants under the Credit Facility, as amended to date, include:

· an available cash balance of at least $25 million;

· a debt-to-equity ratio, which is calculated as the ratio of total net debt to the aggregate of total net debt and total stockholders’ equity, of no more than 0.7 to 1, measured each June 30 and December 31;

· specified maximum levels of annual capital expenditures (excluding expenditures on the construction of Iridium NEXT satellites) through the year ending December 31, 2024;

· specified minimum levels of consolidated operational earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or operational EBITDA, for the 12-month periods ending each December 31 and June 30 through December 31, 2017;

· specified minimum cumulative cash flow requirements from customers who have hosted payloads on our satellites, measured each December 31 and June 30, from June 30, 2016 through December 31, 2017;

· a debt service coverage ratio, measured during the repayment period, of not less than 1 to 1.5; and

· specified maximum leverage levels during the repayment period that decline from a ratio of 4.73 to 1 for the twelve months ending June 30, 2018 to a ratio of 2.36 to 1 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2024.

21

Our available cash balance, as defined by the Credit Facility, was $303.7 million as of March 31, 2016. Our debt-to-equity ratio was 0.52 to 1 as of December 31, 2015, the last point at which it was measured. We were in compliance with the operational EBITDA covenant set forth above as of December 31, 2015, the last point at which it was measured.

The covenants regarding capital expenditures, operational EBITDA and hosted payload cash flows are calculated in connection with a measurement, which we refer to as available cure amount, that is derived using a complex calculation based on overall cash flows, as adjusted by numerous measures specified in the Credit Facility. In a period in which our capital expenditures exceed, or our operational EBITDA or hosted payload cash flows fall short of, the amount specified in the respective covenant, we would be permitted to allocate available cure amount, if any, to prevent a breach of the applicable covenant. As of December 31, 2015, the last point at which it was measured, we had an available cure amount of $3.5 million, although it was not required to maintain compliance with the covenants. The available cure amount has fluctuated significantly from one measurement period to the next, and we expect that it will continue to do so.

The covenants also place limitations on our ability and that of our subsidiaries to carry out mergers and acquisitions, dispose of assets, grant security interests, declare, make or pay dividends, enter into transactions with affiliates, fund payments under the full scale development contract, or FSD, with Thales from our own resources, incur additional indebtedness, or make loans, guarantees or indemnities. If we are not in compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Facility, after any opportunity to cure such non-compliance, or we otherwise experience an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may require repayment in full of all principal and interest outstanding under the Credit Facility. It is unlikely we would have adequate funds to repay such amounts prior to the scheduled maturity of the Credit Facility. If we fail to repay such amounts, the lenders may foreclose on the assets we have pledged under the Credit Facility, which include substantially all of our assets and those of our domestic subsidiaries.

We believe that our liquidity sources will provide sufficient funds for us to meet our liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015			Change
	(in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities	$	47,019	$	51,531		$	(4,512	)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	2,357	$	(59,463	)	$	61,820
Cash provided by financing activities	$	52,068	$	14,576		$	37,492

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased by $4.5 million from the prior year period. This decrease was principally due to changes in working capital requirements compared to the prior period.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $61.8 million compared to the prior year period primarily due to an $87.6 million increase in net sales of marketable securities, partially offset by a $25.8 million increase in capital expenditures primarily related to Iridium NEXT.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $37.5 million from the prior year period primarily due to the $49.6 million increase in borrowings under our credit facility in 2016, partially offset by the increase in restricted cash deposits to support the credit facility covenant.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as such term is defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of the SEC’s Regulation S-K, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.

22

Seasonality

Our results of operations have been subject to seasonal usage changes for commercial customers, and we expect that our results will be affected by similar seasonality effects in the future. March through October are typically the peak months for commercial voice services revenue and related subscriber equipment sales. Commercial M2M revenue has been less subject to seasonal usage changes, and revenue from our fixed-price U.S. government contract will not be subject to seasonal fluctuations.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, collectability of accounts receivable, useful lives of property and equipment, long-lived assets and other intangible assets, inventory, internally developed software, deferred financing costs, asset retirement obligations, income taxes, stock-based compensation, warranty expenses, loss contingencies, and other estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes to our critical accounting policies and use of estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements and recently adopted pronouncements.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Interest income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balances is subject to interest rate fluctuations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, a one-half percentage point increase or decrease in interest rates would not have had a material effect on our interest income.

We had borrowed an aggregate $1,593.8 million under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016. A portion of the draws we make under the Credit Facility bear interest at a floating rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 1.95% and will, accordingly, subject us to interest rate fluctuations in future periods. Had the currently outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility been outstanding throughout the three months ended March 31, 2016, a one-half percentage point increase or decrease in the LIBOR would have changed our interest cost by approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable and accounts payable. At times we maintain cash and cash equivalent deposit balances in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits, and we may have marketable securities balances in excess of Securities Investment Protection Corporation limits. However, we maintain our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities with financial institutions with high credit ratings. The majority of our cash is swept nightly into funds that invest in or are collateralized by U.S government-backed securities. We invest in marketable securities consisting of U.S. treasury notes, fixed income debt instruments and commercial paper debt instruments with fixed interest rates and maturity dates within three years of original purchase. Due to the credit quality and nature of these debt instruments, we do not believe there has been a significant change in our market risk exposure since December 31, 2015. Accounts receivable are due from both domestic and international customers. We perform credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and record reserves to provide for estimated credit losses. Accounts payable are owed to both domestic and international vendors.

We also currently hold marketable securities consisting of commercial paper and fixed-income debt securities. As of March 31, 2016, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have had a material impact on the fair value of our marketable securities.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer, who is our principal executive officer, and our chief financial officer, who is our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. In evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. In addition, the design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

None.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Our business is subject to risks and events that, if they occur, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of our securities. In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2016. There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in the annual report.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

See the exhibit index.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By:	/s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
	Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
	Chief Financial Officer (as duly authorized officer and as principal financial officer of the registrant)

Date: April 28, 2016

26

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
10.1†	Amendment, dated February 24, 2016, to the COFACE Facility Agreement among Iridium Satellite LLC, the Registrant, Iridium Holdings LLC, SE Licensing LLC, Iridium Carrier Holdings LLC, Iridium Carrier Services LLC, Syncom-Iridium Holdings Corp., Iridium Constellation LLC and Iridium Government Services LLC; Deutsche Bank AG (Paris Branch), Banco Santander SA, Société Générale, Natixis, Mediobanca International (Luxembourg) S.A., BNP Paribas, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. (Paris Branch) and Unicredit Bank Austria AG; Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as the security agent and U.S. collateral agent; and Société Générale as the COFACE agent, dated as of October 4, 2010, as amended and restated on May 2, 2014.
10.2†	Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Aireon LLC, dated as of March 17, 2016.
10.3†	Amendment No. 19 to the Products and Services Agreement No. AIR-12-001 between Aireon LLC and Harris Corporation Government Communications Systems Division, dated as of January 7, 2016.
10.4	Performance Share Program established under the Iridium Communications Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2016.
10.5	Form of Performance Share Award Grant Notice and Performance Share Award Agreement for use in connection with the Performance Share Program established under the Iridium Communications Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2016.
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*	Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(b) and 15d-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2016, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i)   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015; (ii)  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

† Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions omitted from this exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Confidential portions of this exhibit have been separately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

* These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

27

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

THIS AMENDMENT TO THE COFACE FACILITY AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and among IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), IRIDIUM SATELLITE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower (the “Borrower”), THE GUARANTORS under and as defined in the COFACE Facility Agreement referred to below, and SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE as agent of the other Finance Parties (in this capacity the “COFACE Agent”) and is made with reference to the COFACE Facility Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2010, as amended and restated as of May 2, 2014 and as further amended as of May 7, 2015, November 24, 2015 and December 31, 2015, by and among the Parent, the Borrower, the other Obligors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the COFACE Agent and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS as security agent and trustee for the Secured Parties (as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “COFACE Facility Agreement”).

agreement:

1. Definitions; Interpretation

1.1 Definitions

Capitalised terms defined in the COFACE Facility Agreement have, unless expressly defined in this Amendment, the same meaning in this Amendment.

1.2 Construction

The principles of construction set out in Clause 1.2 (Construction) of the COFACE Facility Agreement will have effect as if set out in this Amendment.

2. AmendmentS

(a) Effective as of the Effective Date, the COFACE Facility Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the table in Clause 22.1(b)(i) thereof and replacing it with the following:

Column 1 Calculation Period expiring	Column 2 Consolidated Operational EBITDA ($M)
6/30/2016	[***]
12/31/2016	[***]
6/30/2017	[***]
12/31/2017	[***]

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(b) Effective as of the Effective Date, the COFACE Facility Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the table in Clause 22.1(b)(ii) thereof and replacing it with the following: 

Column 1 Calculation Date	Column 2 Secondary Payload Cashflows ($M)
6/30/2016 12/31/2016 6/30/2017	[***] [***] [***]
12/31/2017	[***]

3. Representations

3.1 Representations

The representations set out in this Clause 3 (Representations) are made by each Obligor on the date of this Amendment to each Finance Party.

3.2 Powers and authority

It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise the entry into, performance and delivery of, this Amendment and the transactions contemplated by this Amendment.

3.3 Legal validity

Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in this Amendment are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.

3.4 Non-conflict

The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Amendment do not and will not conflict with:

(a) any law or regulation applicable to it;

(b) its constitutional documents; or

(c) any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets or constitute a default of termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument where such circumstance has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.5 Authorisations

All authorisations required by it in connection with the entry into, performance, validity and enforceability of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Amendment have been obtained or effected (as appropriate) and are in full force and effect.

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

3.6Governing law and enforcement 

(a) Subject to the Legal Reservations, the choice of governing law of this Amendment will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b) Subject to the Legal Reservations, any judgment obtained in relation to this Amendment will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

3.7COFACE Facility Agreement

Unless a representation and warranty set out in Clause 20 (Representations) of the COFACE Facility Agreement is expressed to be given at a specific date, each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in Clause 20 (Representations) of the COFACE Facility Agreement (other than the representations and warranties in Clauses 20.14(a), (b) and (c) (Original Financial Statements), 20.18 (Taxation) and 20.24 (Shares and Material Companies) of the COFACE Facility Agreement) on the Effective Date, in each case as if references to the COFACE Facility Agreement are references to the COFACE Facility Agreement, as amended hereby, with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing, provided that, in the case of those representations and warranties contained in Clause 20.13 (No misleading information) of the COFACE Facility Agreement, such representations and warranties are made only with respect to any subsequent and new information delivered under the COFACE Facility Agreement since the last period where such representation and warranty was made or deemed to be made under the COFACE Facility Agreement.

4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

This Amendment shall become effective on the Effective Date upon the due execution of a signature page to this Amendment by each of the Parent, the Borrower, the other Obligors and the COFACE Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties and delivery of each party’s respective signature pages to each of the other parties hereto.

5. Governing law; jurisdiction, etc.

This Amendment and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 40 (Enforcement) of the COFACE Facility Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis, as if set forth in full herein.

6. Miscellaneous

(a) This Amendment is a Finance Document.

(b) Each Obligor:

(i) agrees to the amendments to the COFACE Facility Agreement as contemplated by this Amendment; and

(ii) with effect from the Effective Date, confirms that any guarantee or security given by it or created under a Finance Document will:

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(A) continue in full force and effect; and 

(B) extend to the liabilities and obligations of the Obligors to the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents as amended by this Amendment.

(c) On and after the date hereof, each reference in the COFACE Facility Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the COFACE Facility Agreement, and each reference in the other Finance Documents to the “COFACE Facility Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the COFACE Facility Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the COFACE Facility Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

(d) Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the COFACE Facility Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

(e) Each Finance Party reserves any other right or remedy it may have now or subsequently.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall not constitute a waiver of any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Finance Parties under the COFACE Facility Agreement except as expressly provided herein.

(f) Section headings in this Amendment are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

(g) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document.  Signatures to this Amendment may be delivered by facsimile or other electronic means of transmission, and any signature so delivered shall be deemed an original executed counterpart.

[Signature pages follow.]

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

Parent

IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC.

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

Borrower

IRIDIUM SATELLITE LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

Obligors

IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC.

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

IRIDIUM HOLDINGS LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

IRIDIUM CARRIER HOLDINGS LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

IRIDIUM CARRIER SERVICES LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

IRIDIUM CONSTELLATION LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

IRIDIUM GOVERNMENT SERVICES LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer, Iridium Constellation LLC, its manager

SYNCOM-IRIDIUM HOLDINGS CORP.

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

IRIDIUM BLOCKER-B INC.

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

IRIDIUM SATELLITE SA LLC

By: /s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Name:  Thomas J. Fitzpatrick

Title:    Chief Financial Officer, Iridium Satellite LLC, its manager

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

COFACE Agent

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE

By: /s/ Sebastien Jourdet

Name:  Sebastien Jourdet

Title:    Authorized signatory

By: /s/ Loubna Mountassir

Name:  Loubna Mountassir

Title:    

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

EX-10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY

COMPANY AGREEMENT OF

AIREON LLC

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

This Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (this “Amendment”), of Aireon LLC (the “Company”), is dated as of March 17, 2016 and is entered into by NAV CANADA Satellite, Inc, a Delaware corporation; Iridium Satellite LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; ENAV North Atlantic LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; Irish Aviation Authority Limited, a company organized under the laws of the Republic of Ireland; and Naviair Surveillance A/S, a Danish limited liability company (collectively, the “Members”); NAV CANADA, a Canadian corporation; Enav, S.p.A., a company formed under the laws of the Italian Republic (“Enav”); Naviair, an independent state owned company owned by the Kingdom of Denmark, registered with the Danish Business Authority under CVR-no.: 26 05 97 63; and the Company.  

RECITALS

A.The Members, NAV CANADA, Enav, Naviair and the Company are party to that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of February 14, 2014, as amended (the “Operating Agreement”).

B.The Members, NAV CANADA, Enav, Naviair and the Company wish to amend the Operating Agreement as set forth herein.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each of the parties hereto, the parties agree as follows:

1.Amendments.

a.The definition of “Fourth NAV CANADA Tranche Financing Final Tranche Date” contained in Article 1 of the Operating Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety and replaced with the following:

““Fourth NAV CANADA Tranche Financing Final Tranche Date” means [***], 2016.”

2.Except as expressly provided herein, nothing in this Amendment shall be deemed to waive or modify any of the other provisions of the Operating Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the Operating Agreement, any previous amendment of the Operating Agreement, this Amendment and any subsequent amendment, the document later in time shall prevail.

3.This Amendment shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors in interest of the parties hereto.

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first hereinabove set forth.

Aireon LLC   By: /S/ Donald L. Thoma                          
Name:  Donald L. Thoma
Title:    CEO NAV CANADA   By: /S/ Neil R. Wilson                              
Name:  Neil R. Wilson
Title:    President & CEO By: /S/ Brian K. Aitken                               Name:  Brian K. Aitken Title:    Executive Vice President, Finance              and Chief Financial Officer           Enav S.p.A.   By:________________________________
Name:
Title: Naviair     By: /S/ Morten Dambaek Name:  Morten Dambaek Title:    CEO

Signature Page to Amendment No. 3

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

MEMBERS: NAV CANADA Satellite, Inc. By: /S/ Neil R. Wilson                               Name:  Neil R. Wilson Title:    President By: /S/ B.K. Aitken                               Name:  B.K. Aitken Title:    Vice President, Chief Financial              Officer and Secretary	Iridium Satellite LLC By:  /S/ Matthew J. Desch Name:  Matthew J. Desch Title:    Chief Executive Officer
Naviair Surveillance A/S By:  /S/ Soren Stahlfest Moller                   Name:  Soren Stahlfest Moller Title:    CEO By:  /S/ Morten Dambaek                           Name:  Morten Dambaek Title: Irish Aviation Authority Limited By:  /S/ Eamonn Brennan                           Name:  Eamonn Brennan Title:    Chief Executive	ENAV North Atlantic LLC By:  ____________________________ Name: Title:

Signature Page to Amendment No. 3

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDMENT NO. 19

TO THE

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AGREEMENT

NO. AIR-12-001

BETWEEN

AIREON LLC

AND

HARRIS CORPORATION

Government Communications System Division

For

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Payload Development

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

PREAMBLE

This Amendment No. 19 (the “Amendment”) to the Products and Services Agreement for ADS-B Payload Development No. AIR-12-001, effective June 19, 2012 between Aireon LLC and Harris Corporation, Government Communications Systems Division(the “Agreement”) is entered into on this 7^th day of January, 2016, by and between Aireon LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its office at 1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1400, McLean, VA 22102 (“Aireon”) and Harris Corporation, Government Communications Systems Division organized in the state of Delaware with offices located at 2400 Palm Bay Road NE, Palm Bay, Florida 32905 USA (“Contractor”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Aireon and Contractor have engaged in discussions relating to changes each would like to incorporate in the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Parties now desire to amend Article 5.1 and Exhibit C of the Agreement to add an additional [***].

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the agreements contained herein, the payments to be made by Aireon to Contractor under the Agreement and other good and valid consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby expressly acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby amend the Agreement as follows:

1. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

2. Article 5.1 Firm Fixed Price first paragraph is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety as follows:

“The total price to be paid by Aireon to Contractor for the Work to be performed under this Agreement, including all of the Deliverable set forth in the Statement of Work, shall be a total firm fixed price of One Hundred Fourteen Million Nine Hundred Nine Thousand and Sixty Five U.S. dollars (U.S. $114,909,065.00) (the “Firm Fixed Price”), to be paid in accordance with Exhibit C Milestone Payment Plan.  The firm fixed price set forth above includes [***].”

3. Exhibit C – Milestone Payment Plan – Firm Fixed Price: Exhibit C is hereby amended to add additional [***] for [***].  Delete Exhibit C and replaced in its entirety by the following new Exhibit C dated 16 December 2015.

AireonLLC BusinessProprietaryInformation

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“EXHIBIT C–MILESTONEPAYMENTPLAN FIRMFIXED

PRICE (REVISED as of 7 January 2016)

CLIN001MilestonesandMilestoneReviews	PlannedDate* (NotDueDate)	PaymentAmount
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]Note1	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]Note2	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
**[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]

AireonLLC BusinessProprietaryInformation

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]	[***]	[***]
[***]Note3	[***]	[***]
[***]Note4	[***]	[***]
Total		$114,909,065

AireonLLC BusinessProprietaryInformation

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Note1:[***]

Note 2:   [***]

  Note 3:  [***]

Note 4: [***]

** Note: [***]

*Note:[***]

Note:  [***]

Revised010716

This Amendment may be executed and delivered (including via facsimile or other electronic means) in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

AireonLLC BusinessProprietaryInformation

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

All other provisions of the Agreement not expressly referred to in this Amendment remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Amendment by their duly authorized representatives as of the date set forth in the Preamble.

For Aireon AIREON LLC By: /s/ Alan Khalili             Name:  Alan Khalili                                         Title:    CFO                                                       For Contractor HARRIS CORPORATION GCSD By: /s/ Alyshia Gillham         Name:  Alyshia Gillham                                 Title:    Contracts Manager                          

AireonLLC BusinessProprietaryInformation

*** Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Matthew J. Desch, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Iridium Communications Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 28, 2016	/s/ Matthew J. Desch
	Matthew J. Desch
	Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Iridium Communications Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 28, 2016	/s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
	Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
	Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATIONS OF

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”) each hereby certifies that, to the best of his knowledge:

1. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Quarterly Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company at the end of the period covered by the Quarterly Report and results of operations of the Company for the periods covered in the financial statements in the Quarterly Report.

Dated: April 28, 2016

/s/ Matthew J. Desch	/s/ Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
Matthew J. Desch	Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive Officer	Chief Financial Officer

This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 25, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Iridium Communications Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001418819
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	IRDM
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		95,518,031
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 287,202	$ 185,665
Marketable securities	124,935	203,329
Accounts receivable, net	53,284	51,668
Inventory	25,201	27,926
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,757	13,130
Total current assets	506,379	481,718
Property and equipment, net	2,516,765	2,443,567
Restricted cash	102,103	91,112
Other assets	7,848	8,188
Intangible assets, net	46,389	46,589
Total assets	3,179,484	3,071,174
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,439	31,525
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	27,576	29,402
Interest payable	9,240	3,720
Deferred revenue	36,307	36,967
Total current liabilities	81,562	101,614
Accrued satellite operations and maintenance expense, net of current portion	13,908	14,182
Credit facility, net	1,460,447	1,388,766
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	311,904	296,832
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	28,538	28,567
Other long-term liabilities	25,496	12,492
Total liabilities	$ 1,921,855	$ 1,842,453
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 95,515 and 95,126 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	$ 96	$ 95
Additional paid-in capital	1,046,738	1,044,488
Retained earnings	217,862	193,201
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(7,067)	(9,063)
Total stockholders' equity	1,257,629	1,228,721
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,179,484	$ 3,071,174
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, Value
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, Value

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Parenthetical] - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	95,515,000	95,126,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	95,515,000	95,126,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,000,000	1,000,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	500,000	500,000

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenue:
Services	$ 79,823	$ 75,424
Subscriber equipment	17,560	16,540
Engineering and support services	6,819	5,043
Total revenue	104,202	97,007
Operating expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	15,903	14,882
Cost of subscriber equipment	10,463	10,647
Research and development	2,559	4,126
Selling, general and administrative	19,063	20,524
Depreciation and amortization	12,936	13,355
Total operating expenses	60,924	63,534
Operating income	43,278	33,473
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net	758	1,237
Undrawn credit facility fees	(503)	(917)
Other expense, net	(13)	(214)
Total other income	242	106
Income before income taxes	43,520	33,579
Provision for income taxes	(15,000)	(12,560)
Net income	28,520	21,019
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 24,661	$ 17,160
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	95,656	94,527
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	123,035	122,313
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.26	$ 0.18
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.23	$ 0.17
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 28,520	$ 21,019
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	1,867	(1,401)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax	129	61
Comprehensive income	30,516	19,679
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Other income (expense):
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Total	1,750	1,750
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Other income (expense):
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Total	$ 2,109	$ 2,109

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 47,019	$ 51,531
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(75,822)	(50,053)
Purchases of marketable securities	(13,474)	(36,650)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	91,653	27,240
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,357	(59,463)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under the Credit Facility	71,939	22,368
Payment of deferred financing fees	(4,473)	(1,649)
Restricted cash deposits	(10,990)	(2,477)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	17	340
Tax payment upon settlement of stock awards	(566)	(680)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	533
Net cash provided by financing activities	52,068	14,576
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	93	(115)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	101,537	6,529
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	185,665	211,249
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	287,202	217,778
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	500	426
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property and equipment received but not paid for yet	3,150	1,314
Interest capitalized but not paid	30,383	24,544
Capitalized amortization of deferred financing costs	4,214	4,422
Capitalized stock-based compensation	659	302
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of Preferred Stock dividends	(1,750)	(1,750)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends Payable	292	292
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of Preferred Stock dividends	(2,109)	(2,109)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends Payable	$ 351	$ 351

XML

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

1. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”) has prepared its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) the Company, (ii) its wholly owned subsidiaries, and (iii) all less than wholly owned subsidiaries that the Company controls. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that the Company considers necessary for the fair presentation of its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods covered, and of the financial position of the Company at the date of the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC on February 25, 2016.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendment requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendment.  The Company applied the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the accompanying financial statements. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  The implementation of this accounting standard resulted in a reduction of $133.3 million and $133.1 million in the deferred financing costs asset and in the credit facility as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, as shown below.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Credit facility	$	1,593,761		$	1,521,822
Deferred financing costs		(133,314	)		(133,056	)
Credit facility, net	$	1,460,447		$	1,388,766

Recent Accounting Developments 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  The amendment addresses multiple changes.  The amendment requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company will be required to make the disclosures about a change in accounting principle, but will not have to quantify the income statement effect of the change in the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-09 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases.  The amendment requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to today’s accounting.  This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted and reporting organizations are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-02 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendment requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory measured using last-in, first-out and retail inventory method are excluded from this new guidance. This ASU replaces the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value and is intended to create efficiencies for preparers and more closely aligns U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years. Prospective application is required and early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2015-11 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard, ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,  that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The amendment requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for public entities to be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be permitted no earlier than the original effective date beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, and is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2014-09 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Warranty Expense

The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product. The Company maintains a warranty reserve based on historical experience of warranty costs and expected occurrences of warranty claims on equipment. Costs associated with warranties, including equipment replacements, repairs, freight, and program administration, are recorded as cost of subscriber equipment in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.  The Company’s warranty liability has decreased $3.3 million from $6.6 million as of March 31, 2015 to $3.3 million as of March 31, 2016 as a result of product quality improvements.  The Company’s warranty provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $0.4 million compared to the prior year period. This increase is primarily the result of an increased number of Iridium Pilot^® units under warranty, partially offset by a reduction in the Company’s estimate for future returns. Changes in the warranty reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period	$	3,320
Provision		362
Utilization		(340	)
Balance at end of the period	$	3,342

Fair Value Measurements

The Company evaluates assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring and non-recurring basis to determine the appropriate level to classify them for each reporting period. This determination requires significant judgments to be made by management of the Company. The instruments identified as subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following tiers:

• Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

• Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The carrying values of short-term financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s investments in money market funds approximates its carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 1 and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Company’s investments in commercial paper and short-term U.S. agency securities with original maturities of less than ninety days approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 2 and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with original maturities of greater than ninety days are obtained using similar investments traded on active securities exchanges and are classified as Level 2 and are included in marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For fixed income securities that do not have quoted prices in active markets, the Company uses third-party vendors to price its debt securities resulting in classification as Level 2.

Depreciation and Amortization

The Company calculates depreciation expense using the straight line method and evaluates the appropriateness of the useful life used on a quarterly basis or as events occur that require additional assessment. In addition to the changes made in prior quarters, in the first quarter of 2016, the Company updated its estimate of the current satellites’ remaining useful lives based on the continued refinement of the launch schedule and deployment plan for the Company’s next-generation satellite constellation (“Iridium NEXT”). As a result, the estimated useful lives of the satellites within the current constellation have been extended and are consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. The $0.4 million decrease in depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year is primarily related to the refinement in the estimated useful lives. The change in estimate will also have an effect on future periods through the deployment of Iridium NEXT. The Company will continue to evaluate the useful lives of its current satellites on an ongoing basis through the full deployment of Iridium NEXT as the satellites are placed into service.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

3. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents. These investments, along with cash deposited in institutional money market funds, regular interest bearing and non-interest bearing depository accounts, are classified as cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents:

	March 31,		December 31,		Recurring Fair
	2016		2015		ValueMeasurement
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	115,899	$	67,005
Money market funds		171,303		118,660	Level 1
Total Cash and cash equivalents	$	287,202	$	185,665

Restricted Cash

The Company is required to maintain a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to its $1.8 billion loan facility (the “Credit Facility”) (see Note 4). As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s restricted cash balance, which includes a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to the Credit Facility and the interest earned on these amounts, was $102.1 million and $91.1 million, respectively.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with an original maturity in excess of ninety days. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are included in marketable securities within current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All investments are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis of the marketable securities sold. There were no material realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the fair value of its investments to identify other-than-temporary declines in value. The Company determined that the decline in fair value of its investments is temporary at March 31, 2016 as the Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.

The following tables summarize the Company’s marketable securities:

	As of March 31, 2016
	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated		Recurring Fair
	Cost		UnrealizedGains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Value Measurement
	(in thousands)
Fixed-income debt securities	$	109,257	$	47	$	(66	)	$	109,238	Level 2
U.S. Treasury Notes		15,672		25		-			15,697	Level 2
Total Marketable Securities	$	124,929	$	72	$	(66	)	$	124,935

	As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated		Recurring Fair
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Value Measurement
	(in thousands)
Fixed-income debt securities	$	181,636	$	4	$	(200	)	$	181,440	Level 2
Commercial paper		9,821		-		(1	)	$	9,820	Level 2
U.S. Treasury Notes		12,079		-		(10	)		12,069	Level 2
Total Marketable Securities	$	203,536	$	4	$	(211	)	$	203,329

The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities:

	As of March 31, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	(in thousands)
Mature within one year	$	91,527	$	91,523	$	169,728	$	169,619
Mature after one year and within three years		33,402		33,412		33,808		33,710
Total	$	124,929	$	124,935	$	203,536	$	203,329

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

4. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Thales

In June 2010, the Company executed a primarily fixed-price full-scale development contract (the “FSD”) with Thales Alenia Space France (“Thales”) for the design and build of satellites for Iridium NEXT. The total price under the FSD is $2.3 billion, and the Company expects payment obligations under the FSD to extend into the first quarter of 2018. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had made aggregate payments of $1,612.5 million to Thales, of which $1,370.6 million were from borrowings under the Credit Facility, and which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company currently uses the Credit Facility to pay 85% of each invoice received from Thales under the FSD, with the remaining 15% funded from cash on hand. Once the Credit Facility is fully drawn, the Company expects to pay 100% of each invoice received from Thales from cash and marketable securities on hand as well as internally generated cash flows, including contracted cash flows from hosted payloads and potential cash flows from Iridium PRIME^SM.

SpaceX

In March 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) to secure SpaceX as the primary launch services provider for Iridium NEXT (as amended to date, the “SpaceX Agreement”). The total price under the SpaceX Agreement for seven launches and a reflight option in the event of a launch failure is $468.1 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had made aggregate payments of $315.3 million to SpaceX, which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Company made a $3.0 million refundable deposit to SpaceX in the first quarter of 2014 for the reservation of additional future launches, which is not included in the total contract price.

Kosmotras

In June 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with International Space Company Kosmotras (“Kosmotras”) as a supplemental launch service provider for Iridium NEXT (the “Kosmotras Agreement”). The Kosmotras Agreement originally provided for the purchase of up to six launches with options to purchase additional launches. Each launch can carry two satellites. In June 2013, the Company exercised an option for one launch to carry two Iridium NEXT satellites. If the Company does not exercise any additional options, the total cost under the contract including this single launch will be $51.8 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had made aggregate payments of $36.8 million to Kosmotras, which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The option to purchase two dedicated launches expired as of December 31, 2013, and in June 2015, the Company agreed with Kosmotras to replace the remaining options with a new set of options to purchase up to six dedicated launches.

Credit Facility

In October 2010, the Company entered into the Credit Facility with a syndicate of bank lenders (the “Lenders”). The Credit Facility was subsequently amended and restated in August 2012. In May 2014, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement (the “Supplemental Agreement”) with the Lenders under the Credit Facility to further amend and restate the Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, the Company reported $1,460.4 million in borrowings from the credit facility in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, net of $133.3 million of deferred financing costs, for an aggregate total of $1,593.8 million in borrowings. The unused portion of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 was $206.2 million. Pursuant to the Credit Facility, the Company maintains a minimum cash reserve for debt repayment. As of March 31, 2016, the minimum required cash reserve balance was $102.0 million, which is classified as restricted cash in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The minimum cash reserve requirement will increase over the term of the Credit Facility to $189.0 million in 2017.

Interest costs incurred under the Credit Facility were $18.2 million and $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  All interest costs incurred related to the Credit Facility have been capitalized during the construction period of the Iridium NEXT assets. The Company pays interest on a semi-annual basis in April and October through a combination of a cash payment and a deemed additional loan. The $18.2 million in interest incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016 consisted of $5.5 million payable in cash and $12.7 million payable by deemed loans. The $14.9 million in interest incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisted of $4.5 million payable in cash and $10.4 million payable by deemed loans. There were no payments made during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. At March 31, 2016, the deemed loan balance of $21.1 million is included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company is obligated to pay a cash commitment fee of 0.80% per year, in semi-annual installments, on any undrawn portion of the Credit Facility. In April 2016, the Company paid $1.2 million as a semi-annual installment of the commitment fee. The commitment fee payable on the undrawn portion of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 was $1.1 million and is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Contingencies

From time to time, in the normal course of business, the Company is party to various pending claims and lawsuits. The Company is not aware of any such actions that it would expect to have a material adverse impact on its business, financial results or financial condition.

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Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

5. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation at fair value. The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is equal to the closing price of the underlying common stock on the grant date. The fair value of an award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service or performance period and is classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in a manner consistent with the classification of the recipient’s compensation. The expected vesting of the Company’s performance-based RSUs is based upon the likelihood that the Company achieves the defined performance goals. The level of achievement of performance goals, if any, is determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Stock-based awards to non-employee consultants are expensed at their fair value as services are provided according to the terms of their agreements and are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

In May 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) to provide stock-based awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock and other equity securities, as incentives and rewards for employees, consultants and non-employee directors. As of March 31, 2016, 23,203,009 shares of common stock were registered for issuance as awards under the 2015 Plan.

In January 2016, members of the Company’s board of directors received a portion of their 2016 annual compensation in the form of equity awards, in an aggregate amount of approximately 126,000 RSUs. These RSUs were granted in January 2016 under the 2015 Plan, with 100% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSUs was $1.0 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company granted approximately 158,000 stock options and 564,000 service-based RSUs to its employees. Employee stock options and service-based RSUs generally vest over a four-year service period with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter. The estimated aggregate grant date fair values of the stock options and service-based RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $0.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

In addition, in March 2016, the Company awarded approximately 1,335,000 performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives and employees (the “Bonus RSUs”). The Company records stock-based compensation expense related to performance-based RSUs when it is considered probable that the performance conditions will be met. Vesting of the March 2016 Bonus RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals for the 2016 fiscal year. The level of achievement, if any, of performance goals will be determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and vest in March 2017. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of the Bonus RSUs was $9.4 million.

Additionally, in March 2016, the Company awarded approximately 119,000 performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives (the “March 2016 Performance RSUs”).  Vesting of the March 2016 Performance RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals over fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The number of March 2016 Performance RSUs that will ultimately vest may range from 0% to 150% of the original grant based on the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the Company achieves the performance goals, 50% of the March 2016 Performance RSUs will vest at the end of two years and the remaining 50% will vest at the end of the third year, subject to continued service. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of the March 2016 Performance RSUs was $0.8 million.

In January 2015, members of the Company’s board of directors received a portion of their 2015 annual compensation in the form of equity awards, in an aggregate amount of approximately 103,000 stock options and 62,000 RSUs. These stock options and RSUs were granted in January 2015 and vested through the end of 2015, with 25% vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the stock options was $0.4 million. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSUs was $0.6 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted approximately 558,000 stock options and 596,000 service-based RSUs to its employees. Employee stock options and service-based RSUs generally vest over a four-year service period with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter. The estimated aggregate grant date fair values of the stock options and service-based RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $2.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively.

In addition, in March 2015, the Company awarded approximately 161,000 performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives. Vesting of the March 2015 performance-based RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals over fiscal years 2015 and 2016. The number of performance-based RSUs that will ultimately vest may range from 0% to 150% of the original grant based on the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the Company achieves the performance goals, 50% of the performance-based RSUs will vest at the end of two years and the remaining 50% will vest at the end of the third year, subject to continued service. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of these performance-based RSUs was $1.5 million.

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Equity Transactions and Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]

Equity Transactions and Instruments

6. Equity Transactions and Instruments

Warrants

On September 29, 2009, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Iridium Holdings LLC, the Company issued warrants, each of which entitled the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. On February 14, 2015, all of the outstanding and unexercised warrants expired in accordance with their terms.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 2.0 million shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As described below, the Company issued 1.0 million shares of preferred stock in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 0.5 million shares of preferred stock in the second quarter of 2014. The remaining 0.5 million authorized shares of preferred stock remain undesignated and unissued as of March 31, 2016.

Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company issued 1.0 million shares of its 7.00% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) in a private offering. The Company received proceeds of $96.5 million from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock, net of the aggregate $3.5 million in initial purchaser discount and offering costs. The net proceeds of this offering were used to partially fund the construction and deployment of Iridium NEXT and for other general corporate purposes.

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.00% per annum of the $100 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual rate of $7.00 per share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. The Series A Preferred Stock does not have a stated maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock and pari passu with the Company’s 6.75% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights except for limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive) and in other specified circumstances. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may convert some or all of their outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at an initial conversion rate of 10.6022 shares of common stock per $100 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $9.43 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events).

During each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $1.8 million to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had accrued $0.3 million in cash dividends for the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, which is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On or after October 3, 2017, the Company may, at its option, convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into the number of shares of common stock that are issuable at the then-applicable conversion rate, subject to specified conditions. On or prior to October 3, 2017, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have a special right to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of common stock in the event of fundamental changes described in the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to specified conditions and limitations. In certain circumstances, the Company may also elect to settle conversions in cash as a result of these fundamental changes.

Series B Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock

In May 2014, the Company issued 500,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock in an underwritten public offering at a price to the public of $250 per share. The purchase price received by the Company, equal to $242.50 per share, reflected an underwriting discount of $7.50 per share. The Company received proceeds of $120.8 million from the sale of the Series B Preferred Stock, net of the $3.8 million underwriter discount and $0.4 million of offering costs. The net proceeds of this offering are being used to partially fund the construction and deployment of Iridium NEXT and for other general corporate purposes.

Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 6.75% per annum of the $250 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual rate of $16.875 per share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. The Series B Preferred Stock does not have a stated maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock and pari passu with respect to the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights except for limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive) and in other specified circumstances. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock may convert some or all of their outstanding Series B Preferred Stock at an initial conversion rate of 33.456 shares of common stock per $250 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $7.47 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events).

During each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $2.1 million to holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had accrued $0.4 million in cash dividends for the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

On or after May 15, 2019, the Company may, at its option, convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Stock into the number of shares of common stock that are issuable at the then-applicable conversion rate, subject to specified conditions. On or prior to May 15, 2019, in the event of certain specified fundamental changes, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to convert some or all of their shares of Series B Preferred Stock into the greater of (i) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock as subject to adjustment plus the make-whole premium, if any, and (ii) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the lesser of (a) the liquidation preference divided by the market value of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of such fundamental change and (b) 81.9672 (subject to adjustment). In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to cash settle any conversions in connection with a fundamental change.

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Net Income Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Share

7. Net Income Per Share

The Company calculates basic net income per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share takes into account the effect of potential dilutive common shares when the effect is dilutive. The effect of potential dilutive common shares, including common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock purchase warrants, is computed using the treasury stock method. The effect of potential dilutive common shares from the conversion of outstanding convertible preferred securities is computed using the as-if converted method at the stated conversion rate. The RSUs granted to members of the Company’s board of directors contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered to be participating securities in periods of net income. The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share excludes net income attributable to the unvested RSUs from the numerator and excludes the impact of unvested RSUs from the denominator.

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic net income per share)	$	24,661	$	17,160
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock		1,750		1,750
Dividends on Series B Preferred Stock		2,109		2,109
Numerator for diluted net income per share	$	28,520	$	21,019
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted    average outstanding common shares		95,656		94,527
Dilutive effect of stock options		49		441
Dilutive effect of contingently issuable shares		-		15
Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		10,602		10,602
Dilutive effect of Series B Preferred Stock		16,728		16,728
Denominator for diluted net income per share		123,035		122,313
Net income per share attributable to common    stockholders - basic	$	0.26	$	0.18
Net income per share attributable to common    stockholders - diluted	$	0.23	$	0.17

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, options to purchase 5.0 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, 1.5 million unvested RSUs were not included in the computation of basic net income per share and excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, warrants to purchase 0.1 million shares of common stock and options to purchase 0.4 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, 1.3 million unvested RSUs were not included in the computation of basic net income per share and excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendment requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendment.  The Company applied the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the accompanying financial statements. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  The implementation of this accounting standard resulted in a reduction of $133.3 million and $133.1 million in the deferred financing costs asset and in the credit facility as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, as shown below.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Credit facility	$	1,593,761		$	1,521,822
Deferred financing costs		(133,314	)		(133,056	)
Credit facility, net	$	1,460,447		$	1,388,766

Recent Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Developments 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  The amendment addresses multiple changes.  The amendment requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company will be required to make the disclosures about a change in accounting principle, but will not have to quantify the income statement effect of the change in the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-09 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases.  The amendment requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to today’s accounting.  This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted and reporting organizations are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-02 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendment requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory measured using last-in, first-out and retail inventory method are excluded from this new guidance. This ASU replaces the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value and is intended to create efficiencies for preparers and more closely aligns U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years. Prospective application is required and early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2015-11 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard, ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,  that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The amendment requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for public entities to be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be permitted no earlier than the original effective date beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, and is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2014-09 may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Warranty Expense

Warranty Expense

The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product. The Company maintains a warranty reserve based on historical experience of warranty costs and expected occurrences of warranty claims on equipment. Costs associated with warranties, including equipment replacements, repairs, freight, and program administration, are recorded as cost of subscriber equipment in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.  The Company’s warranty liability has decreased $3.3 million from $6.6 million as of March 31, 2015 to $3.3 million as of March 31, 2016 as a result of product quality improvements.  The Company’s warranty provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $0.4 million compared to the prior year period. This increase is primarily the result of an increased number of Iridium Pilot^® units under warranty, partially offset by a reduction in the Company’s estimate for future returns. Changes in the warranty reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period	$	3,320
Provision		362
Utilization		(340	)
Balance at end of the period	$	3,342

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The Company evaluates assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring and non-recurring basis to determine the appropriate level to classify them for each reporting period. This determination requires significant judgments to be made by management of the Company. The instruments identified as subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following tiers:

• Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

• Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The carrying values of short-term financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s investments in money market funds approximates its carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 1 and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Company’s investments in commercial paper and short-term U.S. agency securities with original maturities of less than ninety days approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 2 and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with original maturities of greater than ninety days are obtained using similar investments traded on active securities exchanges and are classified as Level 2 and are included in marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For fixed income securities that do not have quoted prices in active markets, the Company uses third-party vendors to price its debt securities resulting in classification as Level 2.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization

The Company calculates depreciation expense using the straight line method and evaluates the appropriateness of the useful life used on a quarterly basis or as events occur that require additional assessment. In addition to the changes made in prior quarters, in the first quarter of 2016, the Company updated its estimate of the current satellites’ remaining useful lives based on the continued refinement of the launch schedule and deployment plan for the Company’s next-generation satellite constellation (“Iridium NEXT”). As a result, the estimated useful lives of the satellites within the current constellation have been extended and are consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. The $0.4 million decrease in depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year is primarily related to the refinement in the estimated useful lives. The change in estimate will also have an effect on future periods through the deployment of Iridium NEXT. The Company will continue to evaluate the useful lives of its current satellites on an ongoing basis through the full deployment of Iridium NEXT as the satellites are placed into service.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Credit Facilities

The implementation of this accounting standard resulted in a reduction of $133.3 million and $133.1 million in the deferred financing costs asset and in the credit facility as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, as shown below.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Credit facility	$	1,593,761		$	1,521,822
Deferred financing costs		(133,314	)		(133,056	)
Credit facility, net	$	1,460,447		$	1,388,766

Schedule of Changes in Warranty Reserve

Changes in the warranty reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period	$	3,320
Provision		362
Utilization		(340	)
Balance at end of the period	$	3,342

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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Summary of Company's Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents:

	March 31,		December 31,		Recurring Fair
	2016		2015		ValueMeasurement
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	115,899	$	67,005
Money market funds		171,303		118,660	Level 1
Total Cash and cash equivalents	$	287,202	$	185,665

Summary of Company's Marketable Securities

The following tables summarize the Company’s marketable securities:

	As of March 31, 2016
	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated		Recurring Fair
	Cost		UnrealizedGains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Value Measurement
	(in thousands)
Fixed-income debt securities	$	109,257	$	47	$	(66	)	$	109,238	Level 2
U.S. Treasury Notes		15,672		25		-			15,697	Level 2
Total Marketable Securities	$	124,929	$	72	$	(66	)	$	124,935

	As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated		Recurring Fair
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Value Measurement
	(in thousands)
Fixed-income debt securities	$	181,636	$	4	$	(200	)	$	181,440	Level 2
Commercial paper		9,821		-		(1	)	$	9,820	Level 2
U.S. Treasury Notes		12,079		-		(10	)		12,069	Level 2
Total Marketable Securities	$	203,536	$	4	$	(211	)	$	203,329

Summary of Contractual Maturities of Company's Marketable Securities

The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities:

	As of March 31, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	(in thousands)
Mature within one year	$	91,527	$	91,523	$	169,728	$	169,619
Mature after one year and within three years		33,402		33,412		33,808		33,710
Total	$	124,929	$	124,935	$	203,536	$	203,329

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Net Income Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic net income per share)	$	24,661	$	17,160
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock		1,750		1,750
Dividends on Series B Preferred Stock		2,109		2,109
Numerator for diluted net income per share	$	28,520	$	21,019
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted    average outstanding common shares		95,656		94,527
Dilutive effect of stock options		49		441
Dilutive effect of contingently issuable shares		-		15
Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		10,602		10,602
Dilutive effect of Series B Preferred Stock		16,728		16,728
Denominator for diluted net income per share		123,035		122,313
Net income per share attributable to common    stockholders - basic	$	0.26	$	0.18
Net income per share attributable to common    stockholders - diluted	$	0.23	$	0.17

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	$ 133,314	$ 133,056
Product warranty description	The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product.
Decrease in warranty provision	$ 400
Decrease in warranty liability	(3,300)
Warranty liability	3,342	3,320	$ 6,600
Decrease in depreciation expense	400
New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	$ 133,300	$ 133,100

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Credit facility	$ 1,593,761	$ 1,521,822
Deferred financing costs	(133,314)	(133,056)
Credit facility, net	$ 1,460,447	$ 1,388,766

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of the period	$ 3,320
Provision	362
Utilization	(340)
Balance at end of the period	$ 3,342

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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash	$ 115,899	$ 67,005
Total cash and cash equivalents	287,202	185,665	$ 217,778	$ 211,249
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Money market funds	$ 171,303	$ 118,660

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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 102,103,000		$ 91,112,000
Line Of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,800,000,000
Realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities	$ 0	$ 0

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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	$ 124,929	$ 203,536
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	72	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(66)	(211)
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	124,935	203,329
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Notes Securities [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	15,672	12,079
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	25	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(10)
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	15,697	12,069
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost		9,821
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value		9,820
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Debt Securities [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	109,257	181,636
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	47	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(66)	(200)
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	$ 109,238	$ 181,440

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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Marketable securities:
Mature within one year - Amortized Cost	$ 91,527	$ 169,728
Mature after one year and within three years - Amortized Cost	33,402	33,808
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	124,929	203,536
Mature within one year - Estimated Fair Value	91,523	169,619
Mature after one year and within three years - Estimated Fair Value	33,412	33,710
Total - Estimated Fair Value	$ 124,935	$ 203,329

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($) Launch	Jun. 30, 2011 Launch Satellite	Mar. 31, 2010 USD ($) Launch	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Launch	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Launch	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2010 USD ($)
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Credit facility, net						$ 1,460,447,000					$ 1,388,766,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net						133,314,000					133,056,000
Credit facility						1,593,761,000					$ 1,521,822,000
Minimum required cash reserve balance for credit facility						102,000,000
Credit facility, interest expense						18,200,000	$ 14,900,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase, Accrued Interest						18,200,000	14,900,000
Interest incurred, Cash						5,500,000	4,500,000
Interest incurred, Deemed Loan						12,700,000	10,400,000
Payments of line of credit						0	0
Cumulative deemed loan						21,100,000
Credit facility, commitment fee paid						503,000	$ 917,000
Credit facility, commitment fee payable on undrawn portion						1,100,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Credit facility, commitment fee paid				$ 1,200,000
Scenario Forecast [Member]
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Minimum required cash reserve balance for credit facility										$ 189,000,000
Syndicate of Bank Lenders Credit Facility [Member]
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Unused portion credit facility						$ 206,200,000
Cash commitment fee percentage						0.80%
Thales Alenia Space France [Member]
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Commitments Price For Design and Build Of Satellites												$ 2,300,000,000
Contract aggregate payment						$ 1,612,500,000
Borrowings under credit facility						$ 1,370,600,000
Credit facility, description						The Company currently uses the Credit Facility to pay 85% of each invoice received from Thales under the FSD, with the remaining 15% funded from cash on hand. Once the Credit Facility is fully drawn, the Company expects to pay 100% of each invoice received from Thales from cash and marketable securities on hand as well as internally generated cash flows
Percentage of credit facility to be paid						85.00%
Percentage of credit facility funded through cash						15.00%
Expected percentage of credit facility to be paid						100.00%
Space Exploration Technologies Corp [Member]
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Contract aggregate payment						$ 315,300,000
Number of launches for agreement | Launch			7
Option exercise for future launch | Launch			1
Maximum Commitments Amount			$ 468,100,000
Refundable deposit paid for additional future launches								$ 3,000,000
Kosmotras [Member]
Purchase Commitment Excluding Longterm Commitment [Line Items]
Contract aggregate payment						$ 36,800,000
Maximum number of launches purchased | Launch		6
Number of satellites carried by each launch | Satellite		2
Number of launch option exercised | Launch	1
Total contract amount	$ 51,800,000
Number of launch option expired | Launch									2
Maximum number of dedicated launches purchased | Launch					6

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units		126,000		62,000
Fair value of restricted stock units		$ 1.0		$ 0.6
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member] | Vesting on First Anniversary of Grant Date [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		100.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Quarterly vesting percentage				25.00%
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross					158,000	558,000
Grant date fair value of stock options					$ 0.5	$ 2.3
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Vesting on First Anniversary of Grant Date [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage					25.00%	25.00%
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage					25.00%	25.00%
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross				103,000
Grant date fair value of stock options				$ 0.4
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Quarterly vesting percentage				25.00%
Service Based R S U [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units					564,000	596,000
Fair value of restricted stock units					$ 4.0	$ 5.6
Share-based compensation Vesting Period					4 years	4 years
Service Based R S U [Member] | Vesting on First Anniversary of Grant Date [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage					25.00%	25.00%
Service Based R S U [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage					25.00%	25.00%
Bonus RSUs [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units	1,335,000
Fair value of restricted stock units	$ 9.4
Performance Based RSU [Member] | Executives [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units	119,000		161,000
Fair value of restricted stock units	$ 0.8		$ 1.5
Performance Based RSU [Member] | Executives [Member] | Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	0.00%		0.00%
Performance Based RSU [Member] | Executives [Member] | Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	150.00%		150.00%
Performance Based RSU [Member] | Executives [Member] | Vesting at End of Two Year [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Performance Based RSU [Member] | Executives [Member] | Vesting at End of Third Year [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	50.00%		50.00%
2015 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares registered under equity incentive plan	23,203,009				23,203,009

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Equity Transactions and Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2009	May. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized			2,000,000
Preferred stock, par value			$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued					1,000,000	500,000
Shares of preferred stock, undesignated and unissued			500,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized			1,000,000				1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value			$ 0.0001				$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued			1,000,000				1,000,000
Annual rate of preferred stock, per share						$ 7.00
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share						$ 100
Shares of common stock converted at initial conversion						10.6022
Initial conversion price of common stock						$ 9.43
Cash dividends on preferred stock			$ 1,800	$ 1,800
Accrued dividends on preferred stock			$ 292	292			$ 292
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Private Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued					1,000,000
Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend rate on preferred stock						7.00%
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share						$ 100
Convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion			On or prior to October 3, 2017, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have a special right to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of common stock in the event of fundamental changes described in the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to specified conditions and limitations. In certain circumstances, the Company may also elect to settle conversions in cash as a result of these fundamental changes.
Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | Private Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend rate on preferred stock					7.00%
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock					$ 96,500
Aggregate discount and offering costs					$ 3,500
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized			500,000				500,000
Preferred stock, par value			$ 0.0001				$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued			500,000				500,000
Dividend rate on preferred stock		6.75%				6.75%
Annual rate of preferred stock, per share		$ 16.875
Shares of common stock converted at initial conversion		33.456
Initial conversion price of common stock		$ 7.47
Cash dividends on preferred stock			$ 2,100	2,100
Accrued dividends on preferred stock			$ 351	$ 351			$ 351
Convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion			On or prior to May 15, 2019, in the event of certain specified fundamental changes, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to convert some or all of their shares of Series B Preferred Stock into the greater of (i) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock as subject to adjustment plus the make-whole premium, if any, and (ii) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the lesser of (a) the liquidation preference divided by the market value of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of such fundamental change and (b) 81.9672 (subject to adjustment). In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to cash settle any conversions in connection with a fundamental change.
Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | Public Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued		500,000
Preferred stock, price per share		$ 250
Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | Private Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock		$ 120,800
Aggregate discount and offering costs		$ 400
Preferred stock, purchase price per share		$ 242.50
Underwriting discount price per share		$ 7.50
Payment of underwriter discount		$ 3,800
Series B Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | Private Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share		$ 250
11.50 Warrants [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Price Per Share Of Common Stock	$ 11.50

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Net Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic net income per share)	$ 24,661	$ 17,160
Numerator for diluted net income per share	$ 28,520	$ 21,019
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted average outstanding common shares	95,656	94,527
Dilutive effect of contingently issuable shares	0	15
Denominator for diluted net income per share	123,035	122,313
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders - basic	$ 0.26	$ 0.18
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders - diluted	$ 0.23	$ 0.17
Equity Option [Member]
Denominator:
Dilutive effect of stock options	49	441
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Numerator:
Dividends on Preferred Stock	$ 1,750	$ 1,750
Denominator:
Dilutive effect of Preferred Stock	10,602	10,602
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Numerator:
Dividends on Preferred Stock	$ 2,109	$ 2,109
Denominator:
Dilutive effect of Preferred Stock	16,728	16,728

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Net Income Per Share (Details Textual) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	5.0	0.4
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	1.5	1.3
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share		0.1