Specialist satellite operator Iridium has received a $738 million (€669.3m) contract from the US military to provide telephone and broadband services to its army, air force and navy.

The contract will run for 7 years, and will see Iridium provide global secure and unsecure voice, broadcast and other services via its 66 satellites in low earth orbit.

“Iridium’s EMSS [Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services] contract serves as a model for how commercial operators can cost-effectively and efficiently deliver critical satellite managed services to the warfighter” Scott Scheimreif, EVP/government programs at Iridium, said in a statement. “When you combine our unique network, our ecosystem of dedicated partners and an innovative, fixed-price, seven-year contract, you create an optimal environment for DoD and other US Government program offices to effectively plan for and budget their programs, taking full advantage of the Iridium capability.”

According to Iridium, US Defense Department subscribers more than doubled during the last contract period, from 51,000 to 125,000.

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