Iridium
is a communications satellite developed by Motorola. 
Actually, Iridium is designed as a system
of satellites.  There will be 66 Iridium
satellites in all that will provide mobile telephone and
paging services worldwide.  Anyone with an Iridium telephone
will be able to make calls to and from anywhere on Earth. 

Last
year, Motorola began launching its satellites into low earth
orbit.  As of January 1st, 1998 there were 46 satellites
already in position.  Additional launches will take place
early this year.  Global service is scheduled to begin in
1998.  Stay tuned for updates on Iridium's status.