Company: IRDM
Filing Date: 2025-02-13
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-005302
Chunk: 59

Company: Iridium Communications Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-13
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 59
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on hosting, data services and power fees to be approximately $32.7 million. In addition, we currently hold a substantial ownership interest in Aireon’s parent company, Aireon Holdings, and, if and when funds are available following a planned refinancing of Aireon’s credit facility, Aireon Holdings is required to redeem a portion of our ownership interest for a payment of $120.0 million. Based on Aireon’s current business plan and restrictions under Aireon’s debt facility, we do not expect this redemption of our ownership interest to occur for several years.

Aireon’s business model requires expansion of its customer base to achieve its projected financial results, which may not occur when projected or at all. While our fee arrangements with Aireon are fixed, if Aireon does not achieve its projected results, they may not be able to pay us the contractually required hosting, data services and power fees in a timely manner or at all. Further, Aireon may need to seek additional financing. Any sale of equity securities by Aireon would dilute our ownership if and to the extent that we do not invest additional funds to maintain our proportional ownership interest. If additional funding is not available, Aireon may default on its credit facility, which could result in the loss or reduction in value of our investment in Aireon, or be forced out of business, in which case we would not receive any further hosting, data or power fees, or the expected $120.0 million redemption payment, and we would lose the fair value of our retained investment in Aireon Holdings.

We depend on intellectual property licensed from third parties to operate our constellation and sell our devices and for the enhancement of our existing devices and services.

We license critical intellectual property and technology to operate and maintain our network and related ground infrastructure and services as well as to design, manufacture, and sell our devices. This intellectual property and technology is essential to our ability to continue to operate our constellation and sell our services and devices. In addition, we depend on third parties to develop enhancements to our current products and services even in circumstances where we own the intellectual property. If any third-party owner of such intellectual property or technology were to terminate any license agreement with us or cease to support and service such intellectual property or technology or perform development on our behalf, or if we are unable to renew such licenses on commercially reasonable terms or at all, it may be difficult, more expensive or impossible to obtain such intellectual property, technology, or