UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
 
   
(Mark One)  
þ
 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20072008
or
o
 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission file number001-33118
ORBCOMM INC.
(Exact name of registrant in its charter)
 
   
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation of organization)
 41-2118289
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
2115 Linwood Avenue
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(201) 363-4900
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
   
Title of Each Class:
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:
 
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 ofRegulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of thisForm 10-K or any amendment to thisForm 10-K.  þo
 
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” inRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
 
       
Large Accelerated Filer o
 Accelerated Filer þ Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company o
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined inRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based on the closing price reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 30, 2007)2008) was $625,219,178$197,968,211.
 
Shares held by all executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded from the foregoing calculation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of the registrant.
 
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 7, 20089, 2009 was 41,815,567.42,313,397.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 20082009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be held on May 2,filed within 120 days after December 31, 2008, is incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of thisForm 10-K.
 


 

 
Table of Contents
 
         
    Page
   Business  1 
   Risk Factors  24 
   Unresolved Staff Comments  3639 
   Properties  3639 
   Legal Proceedings  3639 
   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  3639 
 
   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities  3740 
   Selected Financial Data  3942 
   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  4043 
   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks  5762 
   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  5763 
   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  5763 
   Controls and Procedures  5863 
   Other Information  5965 
 
   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance  5965 
   Executive Compensation  6065 
   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters  6065 
   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  6066 
   Principal Accountant Fees and Services  6066 
 
   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules  6166 
  6267 
 EX-10.5.1:EX-10.3.4: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
EX-10.13: SCHEDULE IDENTIYING AGREEMENTS
 EX-21: SUBSIDIARIES
 EX-23.1: CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 EX-24: POWER OF ATTORNEY
 EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.1: CERTIFICATIONS
EX-32.2: CERTIFICATIONSEX-32: CERTIFICATION


Forward- Looking Statements
 
Certain statements discussed in Part I, Item 1. “Business”, Part I, Item 3. “Legal Proceedings”, Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning the Company’s expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, projected, expected or implied by the forward-looking statements, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the impact of global recession and continued worldwide credit and capital constraints; substantial losses we have incurred and expect to continue to incur; demand for and market acceptance of our products and services and the applications developed by our resellers; loss or decline or slowdown in the growth in business from the Asset Intelligence division of General Electric Company (“GE” or “General Electric” or “AI”), other value-added resellers or VARs and international valued addedvalue-added resellers or IVARs,IVARs; loss or decline or slowdown in growth in business of any of the specific industry sectors the Company serves, such as transportation, heavy equipment, fixed assets and maritime; litigation proceedings,proceedings; technological changes, pricing pressures and other competitive factors; the inability of our international resellers to develop markets outside the United States; market acceptance and success of our Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) business; the in-orbit satellite launch failures,failure of the Coast Guard demonstration or the quick-launch satellites; satellite launch and construction delays and cost overruns and in-orbit satellite failures or reduced performance; the failure of our system or reductions in levels of service due to technological malfunctions or deficiencies or other events; our inability to renew or expand our satellite constellation; political, legal regulatory, government administrative and economic conditions and developments in the United States and other countries and territories in which we operate; and changes in our business strategy; and others risks.strategy. In addition, specific consideration should be given to various factors described in Part  I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors, except as required by law.
 
PART I
 
Item 1.  Business
 
Overview
 
We operate the onlya global commercial wireless messaging system optimized for narrowband communications. Our system consists of a global network of 2927 low-Earth orbit, or LEO, satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure. Our two-way communications system enables our customers and end-users, which include large and established multinational businesses and government agencies, to track, monitor, control and communicate cost-effectively with fixed and mobile assets located anywhere in the world. In 2007, we began providing terrestrial-based cellular communication services through a re-seller agreementreseller agreements with a major cellular wireless provider.providers. These services commenced in the third quarter of 2007 and revenues from such services were not significant in 2007. In addition, a re-seller agreement was signed with a second major cellular wireless provider in the fourth quarter of 2007 and services with this provider are expected to commence in the first half of 2008. These terrestrial-based communication services enable our customers who have higher bandwidth requirements to receive and send messages from communication devices based on terrestrial-based technologies using the cellular provider’sproviders wireless networknetworks as well as from dual-mode devices combining our satellite subscriber communicators with devices for terrestrial-based technologies. As a result, our customers are now able to integrate into their applications a terrestrial communications device that will allow them to add messages, including data intensive messaging from the cellular provider’sproviders’ wireless network.networks.
 
Our products and services enable our customers and end-users to enhance productivity, reduce costs and improve security through a variety of commercial, government, and emerging homeland security applications. We enable our customers and end-users to achieve these benefits using a single global satellite technology standard for machine-


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to-machinemachine-to-machine and telematic, or M2M, data communications. Our customers have made significant investments in developing ORBCOMM-based applications. Examples of assets that are connected through our M2M data communications system include trucks, trailers, railcars, containers, heavy equipment, fluid tanks, utility meters, and pipeline monitoring equipment, marine vessels, and oil wells. Our customers include original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, such as Caterpillar Inc., Komatsu Ltd.(“Caterpillar”), Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (“Hitachi”) Komatsu Ltd., and the Volvo Group,Construction Equipment (“Volvo”), IVARs, such as GE, VARs, such as Fleet Management Services, XATA Corporation and American Innovations, Ltd., and government agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
Through our M2M data communications system, our customers and end-users can send and receive information to and from any place in the world using low-cost subscriber communicators and paying airtime costs that we believe are the lowest in the industry for global connectivity. Our customers can also use cellular terrestrial units, or wireless subscriber identity modules or SIMS,(“SIMS”), for use with devices or equipment that enable the use of a cellular provider’s wireless network, singularly or in conjunction with satellite services, to send and receive information from these devices. We believe that there is no other satellite or terrestrial network currently in operation that can offer global two-way wireless narrowband data service including coverage at comparable cost using a single technology standard worldwide, that also provides a parallel terrestrial network for data intensive applications. We are currently authorized, either directly or indirectly, to provide our communications services in over 8090 countries and territories in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
 
OurPresently our unique M2M data communications system is comprised of three elements: (i) a constellation of 2927 LEO satellites in multiple orbital planes between 435 and 550 miles above the Earth operating in the Very High Frequency, or VHF, radio frequency spectrum;spectrum, (ii) a network of related ground infrastructure, including 15 gateway earth stations, four regional gateway control centers and a network control center in Dulles, Virginia, through which data sent to and from satellite subscriber communicators are routed;routed and includes a communications node for terrestrial services through which data sent to and from terrestrial units are routed and (iii) a combination of satellite subscriber communicators and cellular wireless SIMS attached to a variety of fixed and mobile assets worldwide. See “The ORBCOMM Communications System”.
 
In the second quarter of 2007, we revised our definition of billable subscriber communicators to mean subscriber communicators, including terrestrial units for our terrestrial communication services that are shipped and activated for usage and billing at the request of the customer, without forecasting a timeframe for when individual units will be generating usage and be billing. In the past, we reported billable subscriber communicators defined as subscriber communicators activated and currently billing or expected to be billing within 30 to 90 days.
Under the revised definition of billable subscribers described above, asAs of December 31, 2007,2008, we had approximately 351,000460,000 billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications system compared to approximately 225,000351,000 billable subscriber communicators as of December 31, 2006,2007, an increase of approximately 56.2%31.0%.
On June 19, 2008, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five of our six quick-launch satellites were successfully launched. Due to delays associated with the construction of the final quick-launch satellite, we are retaining it for future deployment. Each of the satellites successfully were separated from the launch vehicle in the proper orbit and is undergoing in-orbit testing and final positioning. In February 2009, onequick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite. We believe it is unlikely that the satellite will be recovered and accordingly, we will record anon-cash impairment charge to write-off the cost of the satellite of approximately $7.0 million in our target markets in commercial transportation, heavy equipment, fixed asset monitoring, marine vessel, consumer transportation, and government and homeland security markets are significant and growing.condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ending March 31, 2009. See “— ORBCOMM Communications System under System Status — Satellite Replenishment” for a status of these satellites.
 
The remaining satellites will be positioned to augment our existing constellation, which, upon and to the extent of successful completion of in-orbit testing, would increase our satellites in service up to 32 and provide additional capacity and improved message delivery speeds for current and future users. In addition, these satellites are equipped with AIS payloads enabling them to receive and report AIS transmissions to be used for ship tracking and other navigational activities.
In August 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard accepted the AIS data and elected to receive the post-launch maintenance. At that time, we placed the Coast Guard demonstration satellite in service and began to recognize service revenues ratably over the six year expected life of the customer relationship. See “— Overview — Key Strategic Relationships under Coast Guard”.


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Our Business Strengths and Competitive Advantage
 
We believe that our focus on M2M data communications is unique in our industry and will enable us to achieve significant growth. We believe no other satellite or terrestrial network currently in operation offers users global two-way wireless narrowband data communications using a single global technology standard anywhere in the world at costs comparable to ours. This provides us with a number of competitive advantages that we believe will help promote our success, including the following:
 
 • Established global satellite network and proven technology.We believe our global satellite network and technology enable us to offer superior products and services to the end-users of our communications system in terms of comprehensive coverage, reliability and compatibility. Our global satellite network provides worldwide coverage, including in international waters, allowing end-users to access our communications system in areas outside the coverage of terrestrial networks, such as cellular, paging, and other wireless networks. Our proven technology offers full two-way M2M data communication (with acknowledgement of message receipt) with minimalline-of-sight limitations and no performance issues during adverse weather conditions, which distinguishes us from other satellite communications systems. Our primary satellite orbital planes contain five to eight satellites each providing built-in system redundancies in the event of a single satellite malfunction. In addition, our satellite system uses a single global technology standard and eliminates the need for multiple network agreements and versions of hardware and software.


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orbital planes contain six to eight satellites each providing built-in system redundancies in the event of a single satellite malfunction. In addition, our satellite system uses a single global technology standard and eliminates the need for multiple network agreements and versions of hardware and software.
 
 • Low cost structure.We have a significant cost advantage over any potential new LEO satellite system competitor with respect to our current satellite constellation, because we acquired the majority of our current network assets from ORBCOMM Global L.P., referred to as the Predecessor Company, and its subsidiaries out of bankruptcy for a fraction of their original cost. In addition, because our LEO satellites are relatively small and deployed into low-Earth orbit, the constellation is less expensive and easier to launch and maintain than larger LEO satellites and large geostationary satellites. We believe that we have less complex and less costly ground infrastructure and subscriber communication equipment than other satellite communications providers. Our low cost satellite system architecture enables us to provide global two-way wireless narrowband data communication services to end-users at prices that we believe are the lowest in the industry for global connectivity.
 
 • Sole commercial satellite operator licensed in the VHF spectrum.  We are the sole commercial satellite operator licensed to operate in the137-150 MHz VHF spectrum by the FCC or, to our knowledge, any other national spectrum or radio-telecommunications regulatory agency in the world. The spectrum that we use was allocated globally by the International Telecommunication Union, or ITU, for use by satellite fleets such as ours to provide mobile data communications service. We are currently authorized, either directly or indirectly, to provide our data communications service in over 8090 countries and territories representing over 60% of the world’s GDP, in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. VHF spectrum has inherent advantages for M2M data communications over systems using shorter wavelength signals. The VHF signals used to communicate between our satellites and subscriber communicators are not affected by weather and are less dependent online-of-sight access to our satellites than other satellite communications systems. In addition, our longer wavelength signals enable our satellites to communicate reliably over longer distances at lower power levels. Higher power requirements of commercial satellite systems in other spectrum bands are a significant factor in their higher cost and technical complexity.
 
 • Significant market lead over satellite-based competitors.  We believe that we have a significant market lead in providing M2M data communications services that meet the coverage and cost requirements in the rapidly developing asset management and supply chain markets. The process required to establish a new competing satellite-based system with the advantages of a VHF system includes obtaining regulatory permits to launch and operate satellites and to provide communications services, and the design, development, construction and constructionlaunch of a communications system. We believe that a minimum of five years and significant investments in time and resources would be required for another satellite-based M2M data communications service provider to develop the capability to offer comparable services. Our VARs and IVARs have made significant investments in developing ORBCOMM-based applications. These applications often require substantial time and financial investment to develop for commercial use.


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 • Key distribution and OEM customer relationships.  Our strategic relationships with key distributors and OEMs have enabled us to streamline our sales and distribution channels and shift much of the risk and cost of developing and marketing applications to others. We have established strategic relationships with key service providers, such as GE Equipment Services, the world’s largest lessor of trailers, containers and railcars, and XATA Corporation, a leading provider of tracking solutions for the trucking industry, including to Penske Corporation, the leading truck leasing company in the United States, and major OEMs, such as Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu, Hitachi and Volvo. We believe our close relationships with these distributors and OEMs allows us to work closely with them at all stages of application development, from planning and design through implementation of our M2M data communications services, and to benefit from their industry-specific expertise. By fostering these strong relationships with distributors and OEMs, we believe that once we have become so integrated into our customer’s planning, development, and implementation process, and their equipment, we anticipate it will be more difficult to displace us or our communication services. In addition, the fixed and mobile assets which are tracked, monitored, controlled, and communicated with by these customers generally have long useful lives and the cost of replacing our communications equipment with an alternative service provider’s equipment could be prohibitive for a large numbers of assets.


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 • Reliable, low cost subscriber communicators.  There are multiple manufacturers that build subscriber communicators for our network. Throughnetwork, including our subsidiary Stellar Satellite Communications, Ltd. subsidiary,(“Stellar”) and independent third party manufacturers such as Quake Global, Inc (“Quake”), Mobile Applitech, Inc, (“Mobile Applitech”) and Wavecom S.A. (“Wavecom”). Through Stellar we have an arrangement with Delphi Corporation that provides us with industrial-scale manufacturing capability for the supply of low cost, reliable, ISO-9001 certified, automotive grade subscriber communicators. We believe that Delphi possesses the ability to scale up its manufacturing rapidly to meet additional demand. We also have arrangements with independent third party manufacturers who supply our customers and end-users directly with low cost subscriber communicators. As a result of these manufacturing relationships, technological advances and higher volumes, we have significantly reduced the selling price of our subscriber communicators from approximately $280 per unit in 2003 to as little asbelow $100 per unit in volume in 2007.2008. In addition, the cost of communications components necessary for our subscriber communicators to operate in the VHF band is relatively low as they are based on readily available FM radio components. Dual-mode devices are being built by several manufacturers that combine other communication technologies with satellite technology and will be offered to the market at what we believe will be industry low prices.
 
Our Strategy
 
Our strategy is to leverage our business strengths and key competitive advantages to increase the number of subscriber communicators activated on our M2M data communications system, both in existing and new markets. We are focused on increasing our market share of customers with the potential for a high number of connections with lower usage applications. We believe that the service revenue associated with each additional subscriber communicator activated on our communications system will more than offset the negligiblelow incremental cost of adding such subscriber communicator to our system and, as a result, positively impact our results of operations. We plan to continue to target multinational companies and government agencies to increase substantially our penetration of what we believe is a significant and growing addressable market. Additionally, we seek to leverage our new business in AIS services. To achieve our objectives, we are pursuing the following business strategies:
 
 • Expand our low cost, multi-channel marketing and distribution network of resellers.  We intend to increase further the number of resellers that develop, market and implement their applications together with our communications services and subscriber communicators to end-users. We are also focused on increasing the number of OEM and distributor relationships with leading companies that own, manage, or operate fixed or mobile assets. We are seeking to recruit resellers with industry knowledge to develop applications that could be used for industries or markets that we do not currently serve. Resellers invest their own capital developing applications compatible with our system, and they typically act as their own agents and systems integrators when marketing these applications to end-users, without the need for significant investment by us. As a result, we have established a low cost marketing and distribution model that is both easily scalable by adding additional resellers or large-scale asset deployers, and allows us to penetrate markets without incurring substantial research and development costs or sales and marketing costs.


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 • Expand our international markets.  Our international growth strategy is to open new markets outside the United States by obtaining regulatory authorizations and developing markets for our M2M data communications services to be sold in regions where the market opportunity for our OEM customers and resellers is greatest. We are currently authorized to provide our data communications services in over 8090 countries and territories in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Mexico and Australia, directly or indirectly through seven international licensees and 1214 country representatives. We are currently working with approximately 75 IVARs who, generally, subject to certain regulatory restrictions, have the right to market and sell their applications anywhere our communications services are offered. We seek to enter into agreements with strong distributors in each region. Our regional distributors, which include country representatives and international licensees, obtain the necessary regulatory authorizations and develop local markets directly or by recruiting local VARs. In some international markets where distribution channels are in the early stages of development, we seek to bring together VARs who have developed well-tested applications with local distributors to create localized solutions and accelerate the adoption of our M2M data communications services. In addition, we have made efforts to strengthen the financial positions of certain of our regional distributors, including several, such as ORBCOMM Europe LLC and ORBCOMM Japan, who were former licensees of the predecessor company left weakened by its bankruptcy, through restructuring transactions whereby we obtained greater operating control over such regional distributors. We believe that by strengthening the financial condition of, and our operating control over, these established regional distributors, they will be better positioned to promote and distribute our products and services and enable us to achieve our market potential in the relevant regions.


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distributors, they will be better positioned to promote and distribute our products and services and enable us to achieve our market potential in the relevant regions.
 • Further reduce subscriber communicator costs.costs and improve functionality of communicators.  We are working with our subscriber communicator manufacturers to further reduce the cost of our subscriber communicators, as well as to develop technological advances, including further reductions in size, improvements in power management efficiency, increased reliability, and enhanced capabilities. For example, our subscriber communicator supplier Delphi, and independent supplier Mobile Applitech, Inc., are developing next-generation subscriber communicators which will contain custom integrated circuits combining the functionality of several components, which we believe will lead to reduced costs. Our ability to offer our customers less expensive subscriber communicators that are smaller, more efficient and more reliable is key to our ability to provide a complete low cost solution to our customers and end-users. Additionally, some suppliers have been developing a dual-mode modem that will allow customers to integrate both a satellite and terrestrial communication component into a single device.
 
 • Reduce network latency.  WithFollowing the expectedin-service date of our quick-launch satellites and the launch of our quick-launch and next-generation satellites, we expect to reduce the time lags in delivering messages and data, or network latency, in most regions of the world. We believe this will improve the quality and coverage of our system and enable us to increase our customer base.
 
 • Introduce new features and services.  We will continue to develop and introduce new features and services to expand our customer base and increase our revenues. For example, as a result of providing terrestrial-based cellular communication services, our customers are now able to able to integrate in their applications a terrestrial communications device that will allow them to add messages, including data intensive messaging from combined satellite and cellular technologies. We have upgraded the technology capabilities of our network operations center to deliver both satellite and terrestrial messages through our ground infrastructure to the ultimate destination. In addition, we have recently developed a broadcast capability that allows large numbers of subscriber communicators to receive a single message simultaneously. This represents an efficient delivery mechanism to address large populations of subscribers with a single message, such as weather data broadcasts, widespread alert notifications and demand response applications for electric utilities. In addition, we have been working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to incorporate the ability to receive marine vessel identification and position data from the Automatic Identification System, or AIS, an internationally mandated shipboard broadcast system that aids navigation and improves maritime safety. We may be able to leverage this work with AIS to resell, subject in certain circumstances to U.S. Coast Guard approval, AIS data collected by our network to other coast guard services and governmental agencies, as well as companies engaged in security or logistics businesses for tracking shipping activities or for other navigational purposes. We believe that subscriber communicator technology advances, such as dual modedual-mode devices, will broaden our addressable market by providing optimalattractive combinations of bandwidth and coverage at a reasonable price. Dual-mode devices combine a satellite subscriber communicator with a cellular network subscriber communicator for higher bandwidth applications not typical of ORBCOMM’s applications. Dual-mode devices can also be used as a back channel service for terrestrial or satellite-based broadcast-only networks.
 
 • Expand AIS services.  In June 2008, we launched satellites equipped with AIS capability, to augment our existing commercial constellation. AIS is a shipboard broadcast system that transmits a vessel’s identification and position to aid navigation and improve maritime safety. Current terrestrial-based AIS systems


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provide only limited shore-based coverage and are not able to provide global open ocean coverage. Using our communications system, customers will have access to AIS data well beyond coastal regions in a cost effective and timely fashion. We currently have a contract to provide AIS data to the U.S. Coast Guard and plan to offer the AIS data service to other government and commercial customers. Further, we will be working with system integrators and maritime information service providers for value-added service and to facilitate the sales and distribution of our AIS data. In January 2009, we entered into our first AIS data license distribution agreement for commercial purposes with Lloyd’s Register-Fairplay Ltd. We will continue to work with additional candidates to address the various market sectors for AIS data. We believe we are the only commercially available satellite-based AIS data provider reaching beyond coastal access into the open water.
• Provide comprehensive technical support, customer service and quality control.We have allocated additional resources to provide customer support for training, integration and testing in order to assist our VARs and other distributors in the roll-out of their applications and to enhance end-user acquisition and retention. We provide our VAR and OEM customers with access to customer support technicians. We also deploy our technicians to our VAR and OEM customers to facilitate the integration of our M2M data communications system with their applications during the planning, development and implementation processes and to certify that these applications are compatible with our system. Our support personnel include professionals with application development, in-house laboratory, and hardware design and testing capabilities.
 
Industry Overview
 
Increasingly, businesses and governments face the need to track, control, and monitor and communicate with fixed and mobile assets that are located throughout the world. At the same time, these assets increasingly


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incorporate microprocessors, sensors and other devices that can provide a variety of information about the asset’s location, condition, operation and environment and are capable of responding to external commands and queries. As these intelligent devices proliferate, we believe that the need to establish two-way communications with these devices is greater than ever. The owners and operators of these intelligent devices are seeking low cost and efficient communications systems that will enable them to communicate with these devices.
 
We operate in themachine-to-machine and telematics, or M2M, industry, which includes various types of communications systems that enable intelligent machines, devices and fixed or mobile assets to communicate information from the machine, device or fixed or mobile asset to and from back-office information systems of the businesses and government agencies that track, monitor, control and communicate with them. These M2M data communications systems integrate a number of technologies and cross several different industries, including computer hardware and software systems, positioning systems, terrestrial and satellite communications networks and information technologies (such as data hosting and report generation).
 
There are three main components in any M2M data communications system:
 
 • Fixed or mobile assets.  Intelligent or trackable assets include devices and sensors that collect, measure, record or otherwise gather data about themselves or their environment to be used, analyzed or otherwise disseminated to other machines, applications or human operators and come in many forms, including devices and sensors that:
 
 • Report the location, speed and fuel economy data from trucks and locomotives;
 
 • Monitor the location and condition of trailers, railcars and marine shipping containers;
 
 • Report operating data and usage for heavy equipment;
 
 • Monitor fishing vessels to enforce government regulations regarding geographic and seasonal restrictions;
 
 • Report energy consumption from a utility meter;
 
 • Monitor corrosion in a pipeline;
 
 • Monitor fluid levels in oil storage tanks;


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 • Measure water delivery in agricultural pipelines;
• Detect movement along international borders; and
 
 • Monitor environmental conditions in agricultural facilities.
 
 • Communications network.  The communications network enables a connection to take place between the fixed or mobile asset and the back-office systems and users of that asset’s data. The proliferation of terrestrial and satellite-based wireless networks has enabled the creation of a variety of M2M data communications applications. Networks that are being used to deliver M2M data include terrestrial communications networks, such as cellular, radio paging and WiFi networks, and satellite communications networks, utilizing low-Earth-orbit or geosynchronous satellites.
 
 • Back-office application or user.  Data collected from a remote asset is used in a variety of ways with applications that allow the end-user to track, monitor, control and communicate with these assets with a greater degree of control and with much less time and expense than would be required to do so manually.
 
Market Opportunity
 
Commercial transportation
 
Large trucking and trailer leasing companies require applications that report location, engine diagnostic data, driver performance, fuel consumption, compliance, rapid decelerations, fuel taxes, driver logs and zone adherence in order to manage their truck fleets more safely and efficiently and to improve truck and trailer utilization.
 
Truck and trailer fleet owners and operators, as well as truck and trailer OEMs, are increasingly integrating M2M data communications systems into their trucks and trailers. As trucks and trailer tracking applications phase out the use of older analog cellular wireless networks,


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currently used in truck and trailer tracking are phased out, end-users will need to migrate to alternative communications systems and we expect that an increasing number of customers will be seeking long-term solutions for their M2M data communications needs as they make their replacement decisions. Trailer tracking represents a significantly larger potential market as we estimate that there are approximately three trailers to every truck. The trailer market also requires additional applications, such as cargo sensor reporting, load monitoring, control of refrigeration systems and door alarms. Future regulations may require position tracking of specific types of cargo, such as hazardous materials, and could also increase trailer tracking market opportunities. The railcar market also requires many of these same applications and many trailer applications using M2M data communications system can easilyreadily be translated to the railcar market.
 
Heavy equipment
 
Heavy equipment fleet owners and leasing companies seeking to improve fleet productivity and profitability require applications that report diagnostic information, location (including for purposes of geo-fencing),time-of-use information, emergency notification, driver usage and maintenance alerts for their heavy equipment, which may be geographically dispersed, often in remote, difficult to reach locations. Using M2M data communications systems, heavy equipment fleet operators can remotely manage the productivity and mechanical condition of their equipment fleets, potentially lowering operating costs through preventive maintenance. OEMs can also use M2M applications to better anticipate the maintenance and spare parts needs of their customers, expanding the market for more higher-margin spare parts orders for the OEMs. Heavy equipment OEMs are increasingly integrating M2M data communications systems into their equipment at the factory or offering them as add-on options through certified after-market dealers.
 
Since the heavy equipment market is dominated by a small number of OEMs, M2M data communications service providers targeting this market segment focus on building relationships with these OEMs, such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi and Volvo.
 
Fixed asset monitoring
 
Companies with widely dispersed fixed assets require a means of collecting data from remote assets to monitor productivity, minimize downtime and realize other operational benefits, as well as managing and controlling the functions of such assets, for example, the remote operation of valves and electrical switches. M2M data


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communications systems can provide industrial companies with applications for automated meter reading, oil and gas storage tank monitoring, pipeline monitoring and environmental monitoring, which can reduce operating costs for these companies, including labor costs, fuel costs, and the expense ofon-site monitoring and maintenance.
 
Marine vessels
 
Marine vessels have a need for satellite-based communications due to the absence of reliable terrestrial-based coverage more than a few miles offshore. M2M data communications systems may offer features and functions to luxury recreational marine vessels and commercial fishing vessels, such as onboard diagnostics and other marine telematics, alarms, requests for assistance, security, location reporting and tracking,e-mail and two-way messaging, catch data and weather reports. In addition, owners and operators of commercial fishing and other marine vessels are increasingly subject to regulations governing, among other things, commercial fishing seasons and geographic limitations, vessel tracking, safety systems, and resource management and protection using various M2M communications systems.
 
Government and homeland security
 
Governments worldwide are seeking to address the global terror threat by monitoring land borders and hazardous materials, as well as marine vessels and containers. In addition, modern military and public safety forces use a variety of applications, particularly in supply chain management, logistics and support, which could incorporate our products and services. M2M communications systems can be used in applications to address infiltration across land borders, for example, monitoring seismic sensors placed along the border to detect incursions. Increasingly, there is a need to monitor thesemaritime vessels for homeland security and M2M data communications systems could be used in applications to address homeland security requirements, such as tracking and monitoring these vessels and containers.


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M2M communications systems can also be used in applications to address infiltration across land borders, for example, monitoring seismic sensors placed along the border to detect incursions. We may also be ablehave begun to leverage our work with AIS to resell, subject in certain circumstances to U.S. Coast Guard approval with respect to AIS data received from the U.S. Coast Guard demonstration satellite, AIS data collected by our network to other coast guardmaritime services and governmental agencies. Further expansion of the AIS business has been driven by our first AIS distribution agreement for commercial purposes with Lloyd’s Register-Fairplay Ltd., signed in January 2009. We are seeking to expand our commercial activities with other distribution partners in the future.
 
Consumer transportation
 
Automotive companies are seeking a means to address the growing need for safety systems in passenger vehicles and to broadcast a single message to multiple vehicles at one time. Within the automotive market, there is no single communications technology that satisfies the need for 100% coverage, high reliability and low cost. An example of an automotive safety application is a system that has the ability to detect and report the deployment of a vehicle’s airbag, triggering the dispatch of an ambulance, tow truck or other necessary response personnel. Many automotive safety systems currently in service are based on analog cellular communications networks, many of which are being phased-out over the next several years in favor of digital cellular networks. In addition,The terrestrial cellular communications systems currently employed have substantial “dead zones”, where network coverage is not available, and are difficult to manage globally, as vehicles may pass through multiple coverage areas, requiring the system to “roam” across a number of different cellular carriers’ networks.globally. With emerging technology, satellite-based automotive safety systems may be able to provide near-real-time message delivery with minimal network latencies, thereby providing a viable alternative to cellular-based systems. In addition, many cellular-based automotive safety systems adopted or being adopted lack backwards compatibility that could limit their overall functionality.
 
While our system currently has latency limitations which make it impractical for us to address this market fully, we believe that our existing network may be used with dual-mode devices, combining our subscriber communicators with communications devices for cellular networks, allowing our communications services to function as an effectiveback-up system by filling the coverage gaps in current cellular or wireless networks used in consumer transportation applications. In addition, we may undertake additional capital expenditures beyond our current capital plan in order to expand our satellite constellation and lower our latencies to the level that addresses the requirements of resellers and OEMs developing applications for this market if we believe the economic returns justify such an investment. We believe we can supplement our satellite constellation within the lead time required to integrate applications using our communications service into the automotive OEM product development cycle.


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Products And Services
 
Our principal products and services are satellite-based data communications services and product sales from subscriber communicators. During the third quarter of 2007, we commenced terrestrial-based cellular communications services, which consist of reselling airtime using a cellular provider’sproviders’ wireless technology networknetworks and product sales from cellular wireless SIMS for use with devices or equipment that enable the use of the cellular provider’sproviders’ wireless networknetworks for data communications. Revenues from terrestrial-based services and products were not significant in 2007.
 
Our communications services are used by businesses and government agencies that are engaged in tracking, monitoring, controlling, or communicating with fixed or mobile assets globally. Our low cost, industrially-rated subscriber communicators are embedded into many different assets for use with our system. Our products and services are combined with industry or customer specific applications developed by our VARs, which are sold to their end-user customers.
 
WeFor our satellite-based data and terrestrial-based cellular communications services, we do not generally market to end-usersend users directly; instead, we utilize a cost-effective sales and marketing strategy of partnering with resellers such as VARs, IVARs and country representatives. These resellers, which are our direct customers, market to end-users.end users.
 
Satellite communications services
 
We provide global two-way M2M data communications services through our satellite-based system. We focus our communications services on narrowband data applications. These data messages are typically sent by a remote subscriber communicator through our satellite system to our ground facilities for forwarding through an appropriate terrestrial communications network to the ultimate destination.


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Terrestrial cellular communication services
These communication services support higher bandwidth applications that are not typical for an ORBCOMM application. These data messages are sent by cellular wireless SIMS which are routed through the cellular provider’s wireless network to our ground facilities and forwarded to the ultimate destination in real time. These services commenced in the third quarter of 2007 and revenues from such services were not significant in 2007.
 
Our system, typically combined with industry- or customer-specific applications developed by our resellers, permits a wide range of fixed and mobile assets to be tracked, monitored, controlled, and communicated with from a central point.
 
We typically derive subscription-based recurring revenue from our VAR and IVAR customersresellers typically based upon the number of subscriber communicators and SIMS activated on, and the amount of data transmitted through, our communications system. Customers pay between $1 and $59 ina range of monthly service charges to access our communications system (generally in addition to a one-time provisioning fee ranging of up to $30)fee), which we believe isare the lowest price point currentlypoints in the market.
Terrestrial cellular communication services
These communication services support higher bandwidth applications that are not typical for an ORBCOMM application. These data messages are sent by SIMS, which are routed through the cellular providers’ wireless networks to our ground facilities and forwarded to the ultimate destination in real time. These services commenced in the third quarter of 2007.
We derive subscription-based recurring revenue from resellers typically based upon the number of SIMS activated on, and the amount of data transmitted through, the cellular providers’ wireless networks. Customers pay a range of monthly service charges to access our communications system (generally in addition to a one-time provisioning fee).
Satellite AIS data services
In June 2008, we launched six satellites, each equipped with AIS capability, to augment our existing commercial constellation. AIS is a shipboard broadcast system that transmits a vessel’s identification and position to aid navigation and improve maritime safety. The International Maritime Organization has mandated the use of AIS on all Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) vessels, which are vessels over 300 tons. Current terrestrial-based AIS systems provide only limited shore-based coverage and are not able to provide global open ocean coverage. Using our communications system, our customers will have access to AIS data well beyond coastal regions in a cost effective and timely fashion. We believe we are the only commercially available for global two-way connectivity.satellite-based AIS data provider reaching beyond coastal access into the open water. In February 2009, onequick-launch satellite experienced a


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power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite. We believe it is unlikely that the satellite will be recovered. See “— ORBCOMM Communications System under System Status — Satellite Replenishment” for a status of our AIS enabled satellites.
The following table sets forth selected customers, representative applications and the benefits of such applications for each of our addressed markets:
 
       
Market 
Select Customers/End-Users
 
Representative Applications
 Key Benefits
 
Commercial transportation • DriverTech

DriverTech• GE Equipment Services

Services• Volvo Group

Construction Equipment• XATA Corporation

• Fleet Management Services

Corporation• Air IQ

• System Planning Corporation

Inc.• Star Trak
 • Position, reporting

speed and heading reporting• Units diagnostic monitoring

monitoring• Compliance/tax reporting

reporting• Cargo monitoring

monitoring• Systems controlcontrol• Boundary (geofencing) notification
 • Improve fleet productivity and profitability

profitability• Enable efficient, centralized fleet management

management• Ensure safe delivery of shipping cargo

cargo• Allow real-time tracking of unit maintenance requirements
       
Heavy equipment
 • Caterpillar, Inc.

• Hitachi Construction .
Machinery Co., Ltd

Ltd• Komatsu Ltd.

• Volvo GroupConstruction Equipment• Doosan Infracore
 • Position reporting

reporting• Unit diagnostic monitoring

monitoring• Usage tracking

tracking• Emergency notification
 • Improve fleet productivity and profitability

profitability• Allow OEMs to better anticipate theimprove planning and scheduling of preventative maintenance and spare parts needs of their customers
       
Fixed asset monitoring
 • American Innovations, Ltd.

• Automata, Inc.

• GE Equipment Services

• Electronic Sensors, Inc.

• Metrix Networks, Inc.Services• Pioneer Hi-Bred International• High Tide Technologies
 • Unit diagnostic monitoring

monitoring• Usage tracking

tracking• Systems control

control• Automated meter readingreading• Cathodic Protection• Irrigation monitoring• Flow monitoring
 • Provide method for managing, controlling, and collecting data from remote sites

sites• Improve maintenance services productivity and profitability
       
Marine vessels
 • Metocean Data Systems Ltd.

• Recreational boaters*

• Sasco Inc.

• Skymate, Inc.

• Volvo Group/Penta*Atlantic Electronics• Commercial fishing fleets
 • Position reporting

reporting• Two-way messaging

• Unit diagnostic monitoring

monitoring• Weather reporting
 • Ensure vessel compliance with regulations

regulations• Create a low cost information channel to disseminate critical weather and safety informationinformation• Sea surface temperature reporting
       
Government and homeland securitysecurity/AIS • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration*

• U.S. Coast Guard

Guard• U.S. Customs and Border Protection*

• U.S. Marine Corps*• Lloyd’s Register-Fairplay Ltd.
 • Container tracking

• Environmental monitoring

monitoring• Satellite-based Automatic Identification System development

(AIS) data services• Border monitoring

monitoring• Vehicle tracking

tracking• Vessel Tracking
 • Provide efficient monitoring of changing environmental conditions

conditions• Address increasing need to monitor vessels in U.S. waters

waters• Minimize security threats and secure border
 
 
*Represents an end-user from which we directly dervivederive revenue through VARs or other resellers.


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Subscriber communicators
 
Our wholly owned subsidiary,subsidiaries, Stellar markets and sellsORBCOMM Japan, market and sell subscriber communicators manufactured by Delphi directly to our customers. We also earn a one-time royalty fee from third parties for the use of our proprietary communications protocol, which enables subscriber communicators to connect to our M2M data communications system. To ensure the availability of subscriber communicators having different functional capabilities in sufficient quantities to meet demand, we have provided extensive design specifications and technical and engineering support to our manufacturers. In addition, because we maintain backwards compatibility, subscriber communicators produced by former manufacturers are still in use with our system today.
 
Stellar currently sells two models of subscriber communicators, the DS 100 and the DS 300, which are manufactured by Delphi. Delphi is now Stellar’s sole manufacturing source for subscriber communicators. and itORBCOMM Japan is


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developing next-generation currently selling subscriber communicators which will contain a custom integrated circuit combining the functionality of several components.manufactured by Quake.
 
Wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS(SIMS)
 
Our wholly owned subsidiary, ORBCOMM LLC, markets and sells cellular wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS which are purchased from the cellular wireless provider and sold to our customers.resellers.
 
Customers
 
We market and sell our products and services directly to OEM and government customers and indirectly through VARs, IVARs, international licensees and country representatives. Other thanIn 2008, GE, which represented approximately 40.3%Hitachi and Caterpillar accounted for 18.8%, 14.3% and 10.9% of our revenues for fiscal 2007, no2008 respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our total sales in fiscal 2007.2008.
Revenues in Foreign Geographic Areas
As a result of our acquisition of ORBCOMM Japan in 2008, revenues in Japan represented approximately 17% of our consolidated revenues. No other foreign geographic area accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues.
 
Key Strategic Relationships
 
Delphi Automotive Systems LLC
 
In May 2004, we entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Stellar and Delphi Corporation, a tier-one automotive components supplier that designs, manufacturers and supplies advanced automotive grade subscriber communicators for Stellar for use with our satellite communications system. Pursuant to the agreement, and subject to limited exceptions, Delphi Corporation’s Delphi Automotive System LLC subsidiary, or Delphi, is the sole supplier of subscriber communicators for Stellar. Delphi Corporation has a right of first refusal following termination of the agreementIn November 2008, we entered into an amendment to supply Stellar with new products developed under the Cooperation Agreement. The initial termAgreement with Stellar and Delphi dated in May 2004 to extend the terms of the agreement wasCooperation Agreement until December 31, 2005 and it has been extended by mutual written agreement of the parties until December 31, 2007. We are in discussions with Delphi to further extend the agreement.2010. Although Delphi is currently subject to bankruptcy proceedings, it manufactures our subscriber communicators in Mexico with non-unionized labor, and as a result, we do not believe that such bankruptcy proceedings should impact our contract with Delphi Corporation. This relationship provides Stellar access to Delphi’s substantial technical and manufacturing resources, which we believe enables Stellar to continue to lower the cost of our subscriber communicators while at the same time providing improved features. As a result of lower subscriber communicator costs from Delphi we have significantly reduced the selling price from approximately $280 per unit in 2003 to as little as $100 per unit in volume in 2007. Several of Stellar’s customers are now in the process of full commercial roll-out using these less costly, new generation subscriber communicators. In addition to providing a lower-cost subscriber communicators with higher reliability, we believe that Delphi also has the capability to increase production rapidly to meet additional demand as Stellar expands its business.
 
General Electric Company
 
We have a significant customer relationship with General Electric Company, that provides access to a wide array of sales channels and extends to several divisions and businesses, including GE Equipment Services, which includes Trailer Fleet Services, its Penske Truck Leasing joint venture, Rail Services and its GE Asset Intelligence LLC subsidiary, or AI, among others. All of these GE Equipment Services divisions directly or indirectly sell applications utilizing our M2M data communications services and subscriber communicators manufactured by Stellar. As a result, GE Equipment Services has a number of different sales channels for the distribution of our asset monitoring and tracking products either to third party end-users or to other GE divisions who are end-users.


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AI’s first application, VeriWise, enables GE’s customers to track and monitor their trailer assets and shipments throughout the world. GE Rail Services is also integrating our M2M data communications system into its RailWise application for railcars. GE Equipment Services’ European division offers RailWise and we expect GE Equipment Services to begin marketing both VeriWise and RailWise into other international markets.RailWise. Penske Truck Leasing also uses our M2M data communications system to monitor tractor-trailers, and other GE businesses are monitoring many different types of assets, including GE Healthcare’s portable MRI machines, locomotives for GE Rail, tractor-trailers for Penske Truck Leasing, and portable electric generators for GE Energy.


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GE Equipment Services is a strategic partner that develops applications that use our M2M data communications system. Our largest GE customer is the AI subsidiary of GE Equipment Services, which is dedicated to M2M data communications applications and which renewed its IVAR agreement with us through 2010. In March 2006, AI placed orders with our Stellar subsidiary for subscriber communicator units which was used to support deployments of 46,000 trailers for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. On October 10, 2006, our Stellar subsidiary entered into an agreement (the “2006 Agreement”) with AI to supply up to 412,000 units of in-production and future models of Stellar’s subscriber communicators from August 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009 to support AI’s applications utilizing our M2M data communications system.
 
AI did not purchase its minimum committed volume for 2008 and 2007 under the 2006 Agreement and, as a result, AI is in default under the terms of the 2006 Agreement. We are currently in discussions with AI to amendsettle all prior defaults and disputes under the 2006 Agreement to extendin exchange for a settlement payment and future services utilizing our communications system, which includes other network communications services not covered by the time periods within which AI is required to purchase its minimum committed volumes.IVAR agreement with AI. However, there can be no assurance as to whether or when a mutually satisfactory amendment will be agreed to by the parties. In the event that we and AI are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution regarding the 2006 Agreement, we may pursue remedies available to us.
 
U.S. Coast Guard
 
In May 2004, we were awarded a contract by the U.S. Coast Guard (the “USCG”) to develop and demonstrate the ability to receive, collect, and forward AIS data over our satellite system or the Concept(the “Concept Validation Project. Our Coast Guard demonstration satellite is expected to be launched during 2008 and will carry an AIS receiver in addition to our standard communications payload. We have included the AIS capability in our quick-launch satellites and intend to outfit our subsequent satellites with the AIS capability. We may be able to leverage this work to resell, subject in certain circumstances to U.S. Coast Guard approval, AIS data collected by our network to other coast guard services and governmental agencies, as well as companies engaged in security or logistics businesses for tracking shipping activities or for other navigational purposes.Project”). AIS is a shipboard broadcast system that transmits a marine vessel’s identification and position to aid navigation and improve maritime safety. The International Maritime Organization has mandated the use of AIS on all Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) vessels, which are vessels over 300 tons. The Coast Guard demonstration satellite carries an AIS receiver in addition to our standard communications payload. Also we have included the AIS capability in our quick-launch satellites and intend to outfit our next-generation satellites with the AIS capability. We believe we are the only commercially available global AIS data provider reaching beyond coastal access into the open water. Current terrestrial-based AIS networks provide limited coverage and are not able to provide the expanded coverage capability desired by the U.S. Coast Guard.USCG. By using our satellite system, the U.S. Coast Guard is expected to be able toUSCG can collect and process AIS data well beyond the coast of the United States in a cost effective and timely fashion. As of December 31, 2007, the U.S. Coast GuardThe USCG has paid us the full contract price of $7.2 million, primarily for the construction and launch of an AIS-enabled demonstration satellite, excluding additionalsatellite. These payments are included in deferred revenue. Additional amounts which may becomeare payable ifnow that the U.S. Coast Guard electsUSCG has accepted the AIS data transmission service and has elected to receive additionalpost launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services under the contract. Such payments are included in deferred revenue.
 
Due to the fact that the launch of our original shared vehicle did not take place principally as a result of the cancellation of the primary launch vehicle payload, our launch services provider, with our participation, has been seeking an alternative launch vehicle forOn June 19, 2008, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite was successfully launched with our five quick-launch satellites in a single mission. Each of the satellites successfully were separated from the launch vehicle in the proper orbit and is undergoing in-orbit testing and positioning. In February 2009, onequick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite. AsWe believe it is unlikely that the satellite will be recovered. See “— Orbcomm Communications System under System Status — Satellite Replenishment” for a resultdescription of this delay, in February 2007, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a unilateral modification to our contract setting a definitive launch datestatus of these satellites. In July 2, 2007 with respect2008, we began transmitting AIS test data to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite.USCG. In August 2008, the USCG accepted the AIS data and elected to receive initial post-launch maintenance for $0.4 million and AIS data transmission services for $0.2 million over the initial term of fourteen months. On September 13, 2007, we and30, 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard entered into an AmendmentUSCG increased the initial amount of Solicitation/Modification of Contract amending the agreement to extend the definitive launch date to December 31, 2007. In consideration for agreeing to extend the launch date, we will provide up to 200 hours of additional technical support for up to 14 months after the launch date at no cost and reduce the U.S. Coast Guard’s costusage for the post-launch maintenance option andAIS data transmission services for certain usage options.an additional $0.4 million.
 
The Coast Guard demonstration satellite was planned to be launched with our quick-launch satellites in 2007, however the launch did not occur by December 31, 2007. On January 14, 2008, we received a cure notice from the U.S. Coast Guard


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USCG notifying us that unless the satellite is launched within 90 days after receipt of the cure notice, the U.S. Coast Guard mayUSCG would have been able to terminate the contract for default and pursue the remedies available to it.
On April 14, 2008, we and the USCG entered into an amendment to the agreement extending the definitive launch date to August 15, 2008. In consideration for default. We believe thatagreeing to the extend the launch ofdate, we agreed to provide the Coast Guard demonstration satellite will likely extend beyond the 90 day cure period. On March 11, 2008, we received a


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proposed contract modification from the U.S. Coast Guard, providing for an April 30, 2008 launch date deadline and furnishingUSCG with all AIS data transmitted by AIS over our complement of AIS-equipped satellites (Coast Guard demonstration satellite and quick-launch satellites) for a period of 60 continuous days at no cost. The satellites are fully constructed and are undergoing testing; however, certain issues have arisen in the electromagnetic compatibility testingfrom each of the quick launchquick-launch satellites that need to be resolved before launch. We are currently in discussionsbeing launched with the U.S. Coast Guard to extend the deadline for the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, to a mutually acceptable date. However, there can bethe extent the satellites are providing service, for 90 continuous days, which commenced on February 1, 2009 at no assurance as to whether or when a mutually satisfactory agreement for an extension ofadditional cost. In addition, the launch deadlineUSCG will be agreed tohave certain intellectual property rights over the AIS data received by the parties. InAIS receivers aboard the event that wequick-launch satellites and the U.S. Coast Guard are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution regarding the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite solely during the90-day evaluation period to share only with other U.S. government agencies, provided that during the90-day evaluation period we are permitted to use the U.S. Coast Guard may terminateAIS data from the contract and pursue the remedies available to it. The Company has indemnification rights against the launch services provider for the Coast Guard demonstration satellitequick-launch satellites in the event the launch services contract is terminated for default from and against any and all claims, demands, assessments and all liabilities and costs related thereto for which the Company becomes liable, including but not limited to any assessment of damagesand/or reprocurement costs by the United States Government.connection with our other programs.
 
Sales, Marketing and Distribution
 
We generally market our satellite and terrestrial communications services through resellers (i.e.,VARs and internationally through IVARs, international licensees and country representatives.representatives). The following chart shows how our low cost, multi-channel distribution network is structured:
 
 
VARs and IVARs.  We are currently working with approximately 145a number of VARs and IVARs and seek to continue to increase the number of our VARs and IVARs as we expand our business. The role of the VAR or IVAR is to develop tailored applications that utilize our system and then market these applications, through non-exclusive licenses, to specific, targeted vertical markets. VARs and IVARs are responsible for establishing retail pricing, collecting airtime revenue from end-users and for providing customer service and support to end-users. Our relationship with a VAR or IVAR may be direct or indirect and may be governed by a reseller agreement between us, the international licensee or country representative, on the one hand, and the VAR or IVAR on the other hand, that establishes the VAR’s or IVAR’s responsibilities with respect to the business, as well as the cost of satellite service to the VAR or IVAR. VARs and IVARs are responsible for their own development and sales costs. VARs and IVARs typically have unique industry knowledge, which permits them to develop applications targeted for a particular industry or market. Our VARs and IVARs have made significant investments in developing ORBCOMM-based applications. These applications often require significant time and financial investment to develop for commercial use. By leveraging these investments, we are able to minimize our own research and development costs, increase the scale of our business without increasing overhead and diversify our business risk among many sales channels. VARs and IVARs pay fees for access to our system based on the number of subscriber communicators they have activated on the network and on the amount of data transmitted. VARs and IVARs are also generally required to pay a one-time fee for each subscriber communicator activated on our system and for other administrative charges. VARs and IVARs then typically bill end-users based upon the full value of the application and are responsible for customer care to the end-user.


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We are currently working with approximately 75 IVARs. Generally, subject to certain regulatory restrictions, the IVAR arrangement allows us to enter into a single agreement with any given IVAR and allows the IVARs to pay directly to us a single price on a single monthly invoice in a single currency for worldwide service, regardless of the territories they are selling into, thereby avoiding the need to negotiate prices with individual international licensees and country representatives. We pay our


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international licensees and country representatives a commission on revenues received from IVARs from each subscriber communicator activated in a specific territory. The terms of our reseller agreements with IVARs typically provide for a three-year initial term that is renewable for additional three year terms. Under these agreements, the IVAR is responsible for promoting their applications in their respective territory, providing sales forecasts and provisioning information to us, collecting airtime revenue from end-users and paying invoices rendered by us. In addition, IVARs are responsible for providing customer support and maintaining sufficient inventory of subscriber communicators in their respective territories.support.
 
International licensees and country representatives.  We generally market and distribute our services outside the United States and Canada primarily through international licensees and country representatives, including through our subsidiary, Satcom International Group plc., which has entered into country representative agreements with our affiliated international licensee, ORBCOMM Europe LLC, covering the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland and a service license agreement covering substantially all of the countries of the Middle East and a significant number of countries of Central Asia. In addition, ORBCOMM Europe and Satcom have entered into an agreement obligating ORBCOMM Europe to enter into a country representative agreement for Turkey with Satcom, if the current country representative agreement for Turkey expires or is terminated for any reason. We rely on these third parties to establish business in their respective territories, including obtaining and maintaining necessary regulatory and other approvals, as well as managing local VARs. In addition, we believe that our international licensees and country representatives, through their local expertise, are able to operate in these territories in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. We currently have agreements covering over 15090 countries and territories through our seven international licensees and 1214 country representatives. As we seek to expand internationally, we expect to continue to enter into agreements with additional international licensees and country representatives, particularly in Asia and Africa. International licensees and country representatives are generally required to make the system available in their designated regions to VARs and IVARs.
 
In territories with multiple countries, it is typical for our international licensees to appoint country representatives. Country representatives aresub-licensees within the territory. They perform tasks assigned by the international licensee. In return, the international licensees are responsible for, among other things, operating and maintaining the necessary gateway earth stations within their designated regions, obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to provide our services in their designated regions, and marketing and distributing our services in such regions.
 
Country representatives are entities that obtain local regulatory approvals and establish local marketing channels to provide ORBCOMM services in their designated countries. As a U.S. company, we are not legally qualified to hold a license to operate as a telecommunications provider in some countries and our country representative program permits us to serve many international markets. In some cases, a country representative enters into a joint venture with us. In other cases, the country representative is an independent entity that pays us fees based on the amount of airtime usage on our system. Country representatives may distribute our services directly or through a distribution network made up of local VARs.
 
Subject to certain limitations, our service license agreements grant to the international licensee, among other things, the exclusive right (subject to our right to appoint IVARs) to market services using our satellite system in a designated region and a limited right to use certain of our proprietary technologies and intellectual property.
 
International licensees and country representatives who are appointed by us pay fees for access to the system in their region based on the number of subscriber communicators activated on the network in their territory and the amount of data transmitted through the system. We may adjust pricing in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements. We pay international licensees and country representatives a commission based on the revenue we receive from IVARs that is generated from subscriber communicators that IVARs activate in their territories.
 
We have entered into or are negotiating new service license or country representative agreements with several international licensees and country representatives, respectively, including former licensees of the Predecessor


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Company and new groups consisting of affiliates of former licensees of the Predecessor Company L.P.Company. Until new service license agreements are in place, we will operate in those regions where a licensee has not been contracted either pursuant to letters of intent entered into with such licensee or pursuant to the terms of the original agreements with the Predecessor Company, as is currently the case in Japan, South Korea and Morocco. There can be no assurance we will be successful in negotiating new service license or country representative agreements.


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Subscriber communicators
Our subsidiary, Stellar, markets and sells subscriber communicators manufactured by Delphi directly to customers. We also earn a one-time royalty fee from third parties for the use of our proprietary communications protocol, which enables subscriber communicators to connect to our M2M data communications system. We believe that declining prices for our subscriber communicators have opened further the market for ORBCOMM-based applications. We will seek to increase the functionality, variety and reliability of our subscriber communicators, while at the same time providing cost savings to end-users.
Competition
 
Currently, we are the only commercial provider of below 1 GHz band, or little LEO, two-way data satellite services optimized for narrowband. However, we are not the only provider of data communication services, and we face competition from a variety of existing and proposed products and services. Competing service providers can be divided into three main categories: terrestrial tower-based, low-Earth orbit mobile satellite and geostationary satellite service providers.
 
Terrestrial tower-based networks
 
While terrestrial tower-based networks are capable of providing services at costs comparable to ours, they lack seamless global coverage. Terrestrial coverage is dependent on the location of tower transmitters, which are generally located in densely populated areas or heavily traveled routes. Several data and messaging markets, such as long-haul trucking, railroads, oil and gas, agriculture, utility distribution, and heavy construction, have significant activity in sparsely populated areas with limited or no terrestrial coverage. In addition, there are many different terrestrial systems and protocols, so service providers must coordinate with multiple carriers to enable service in different coverage areas. In some geographic areas, terrestrial tower-based networks have gaps in their coverage and may require aback-up system to fill in such coverage gaps. InBeginning in 2007 and continuing through 2008, we have entered into re-seller agreements with twothree major cellular wireless providers in the U.S. and Canada to provide terrestrial communications services to our customers who want these services using the wireless communications networks of these cellular wireless providers.
 
Low-Earth orbit mobile satellite service providers
 
Low-Earth orbit mobile satellite service providers operating above the 1 GHz band, or big LEO systems, can provide data connectivity with global coverage that can compete with our communications services. To date, the primary focus of big LEO satellite service providers has been primarily on circuit-switched communications tailored for voice traffic, which, by its nature, is less efficient for the transfer of short data messages because they require a dedicated circuit that is time and bandwidth intensive when compared to the amount of information transmitted. However, big LEO satellite service providers are expected tohave shifted their focus more on M2M data communications. These systems entail significantly higher costs for the satellite fleet operator and the end-users. Our principal big LEO mobile satellite service competitors are Globalstar, Inc. and Iridium Holdings LLC.
 
Geostationary satellite service providers
 
Geostationary satellite system operators can offer services that compete with ours. Certain pan-regional or global systems (operating in the L or S bands), such as Inmarsat plc, are designed and licensed for mobile high-speed data and voice services. However, the equipment cost and service fees for narrowband, or small packet, data communications with these systems is significantly more expensive than for our system. Some companies, such as the OmniTracs subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated, which uses SES’s satellites (operating in C and Ku bands), have developed technologies to use their bandwidth for mobile applications. We believe that the equipment


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cost and service fees for narrowband data communications using these systems are also significantly higher than ours, and that these geostationary providers cannot offer global service with competitive communications devices and costs. In addition, these geostationary systems have other limitations, that we are not subject to. For example, they requiresuch as requiring a clear line of sight between the communicator equipment and the satellite, are affected by adverse weather or atmospheric conditions, and are vulnerable to catastrophic single point failures of their satellites with limited backup options.
 
Research and Development
 
VARs incur the majority of research and development costs associated with developing applications for end-users. Although we provide assistance and development expertise to our VARs. We do not engage in significant research and development activities of our own. With respect to development of our next-generation satellites, we do not incur direct research and development costs; however, we contract with third parties who undertake research and development activities in connection with supplying us with satellite payloads, buses and launch vehicles.


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We have invested and continue to invest in development of advanced features for our subscriber communicator hardware. For instance, Stellar paid approximately $0.2$0.3 million and $0.5$0.2 million to Delphi in 20072008 and 2006,2007, respectively, in connection with the development of next-generation subscriber communicators that should provide increased functionality at a lower cost.
 
Backlog
 
The backlog of subscriber communicators at our Stellar subsidiary as of December 31, 20072008 was 211,4636,508 units, or approximately $29.4$1.0 million, which includes 203,750excludes 200,750 units that AI had committed to purchase under the 2006 Agreement (see Key Strategic Relationships — General Electric Company)., under which they are currently in default. The backlog as of December 31, 20062007 was 413,652211,463 units, or approximately $58.5 million which included 142,000 units of additional cancelable volume under the 2006 Agreement.$29.4 million. We do not believe that approximately $6.0 millionGE will take significant volumes while in default of the backlog as of December 31, 2007 will be filled during fiscal 2008.agreement.
 
In addition, our “pre-bill backlog”, which represents subscriber communicators activated at the customer’s request for testing prior to putting the units into actual service, was 39,18159,775 units as of December 31, 2007,2008, as compared with a pre-bill backlog of 23,986 units39,181 as of December 31, 2006.2007. We believe that the majority of units that comprise our pre-bill backlog will be billable within a one-year period. We are not able to determine pre-bill backlog in dollars because the service costs for each subscriber communicator varies by customer.
 
Orbcomm Communications System
 
Overview
 
Our data communications services are provided by our proprietary two-way satellite system, which is designed to provide “near-real-time” and“store-and-forward” communication to and from both fixed and mobile assets around the world. During the third quarter of 2007, we began providing terrestrial cellular wireless data communications services through a reseller agreement with a cellular wireless provider.
 
Our system has three operational segments:
 
 • The space segment, which consists of a constellation of 2927 operational satellites in multiple orbital planes between 435 and 550 miles above the Earth (four primary planes of sixfive to eight satellites each and one polar plane satellite)each) operating in the VHF band;
 
 • The ground and control segment, which consists of fifteen operational gateway earth stations, that send signals to and receive signals from the satellites, four regional gateway control centers that process message traffic and forward it through the gateway earth stations to the satellites or to appropriate terrestrial communications networks for transmission to the back-office application or end-user and thea network control center (including two of the four gateway control centers) located in Dulles, Virginia, through which monitorsdata sent to and manages the flow of informationfrom satellite subscriber communicators are routed, including a communications node for terrestrial services through the systemwhich data sent to and provides the command, control and telemetry functions to optimize satellite availability;from terrestrial units are routed; and


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 • The subscriber segment, which consists of thesatellite subscriber communicators and cellular terrestrial communications devicesunits, or wireless modems incorporating SIMS used by end-users to transmit and receive messages to and from their assets and our system.
 
For most applications using our system, data is generated by end-user developed software and currently transferred to either a subscriber communicator, or a GPRS-based wireless device using a SIM on the cellular provider’s wireless network. In the case of the satellite subscriber communicator selection, data is encapsulated and transmitted to the next satellite that comes into view. The data is then routed by the satellite to the next gateway earth station it successfully connects to, which in turn forwards it to the associated gateway control center. Within the gateway control center, the data is processed and forwarded to its ultimate destination after acknowledgement to the satellite subscriber communicator that the entire data message content has been received. In the case of the wirelesscellular device, , a message is routed through the cellular provider’s wireless network “Gateway GPRS Support Node” (GGSN), or GGSN, to the associated ORBCOMM “AccessAccess Point Name”, or APN, (locatedName (APN) located within the gateway control center)center, and forwarded to its ultimate destination in real time. The destination may be another subscriber communicator, a corporate resource management system, any personal or business Internete-mail address, a pager or a cellular phone. In addition, data can be sent in the reverse direction (a feature which is utilized by many applications to remotely control assets).
 
When a satellite is in view of and connected to a gateway earth station at the time it receives data from a subscriber communicator, a transmission is initiated to transfer the data in what we refer to as “near-real-time”


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mode. In this “near-real-time” mode, the data is passed immediately from a subscriber communicator to a satellite and onto the gateway earth station to the appropriate control center for routing to its final destination. When a satellite is not immediately in view of a gateway earth station, the satellite switches to astore-and-forward mode to accept data in “GlobalGram” format. These GlobalGrams are short messages (consisting of data of up to approximately 200120 bytes) and are stored in a satellite until it can connect through a gateway earth station to the appropriate control center. The automatic mode-switching capability between near-real-time service and GlobalGram service allows the satellite network to be available to the satellite subscriber communicators worldwide regardless of their location.
 
End-user data can be delivered by the gateway control center in a variety of formats. Communications options include private and public communications links to the control center, such as standard Internet, dedicated telephonetelecommunications company and VPN-based transports. Data can also be received via standarde-mail protocols with full delivery acknowledgement as requested, or via our Internet protocol gateway interface in HTML and XML formats. Wherever possible, our system makes use of existing, mature technologies and conforms to internationally accepted standards for electronic mail and web technologies. For wireless-based applications, the ORBCOMM and cellular providers APN provides the flexibility for developers to control theend-to-end connectivity as needed for the application, using customizable TCP, UDP, and SMS services. This allows existing legacy applications to be retrofit and completely new system designs to be implemented to integrate existing as well as new end user business applications.
 
System Status
 
Satellite Replenishment
 
InOn June 19, 2008, we intend to conduct a satellite launch which includes the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five of our six quick-launch satellites in a single mission to replenish existing satellites and to augment the existing constellation in order to expand the messaging capacity of our network and improve the service level of our network.were successfully launched. Due to delays associated with the construction of the final quick-launch satellite, we intend to retainare retaining it for future deployment. Each of the satellites successfully separated from the launch vehicle in the proper orbit and is undergoing in-orbit testing and final positioning. The majority of in-orbit testing of the payload subsystems has been completed to verify proper operation of the subscriber links, gateway links and AIS payload functionality. As a result of on-going in-orbit testing of these satellites, our satellite providers are investigating the lower than nominal gateway transmission power on one satellite, lower than expected nominal subscriber transmission on one satellite, intermittent computer resets on one satellite and outages to the reaction wheel components of the attitude control system on each of the satellites. The satellite with the lower than expected subscriber transmission has been reprogrammed to operate in a mode which utilizes the gateway transmission for subscriber messaging traffic. The satellite with intermittent flight computer resets is being reprogrammed to use a redundant receiver to perform the flight computer functions. Two satellites have experienced unrecovered outages of the redundant reaction wheels and four of the new satellites have experienced an unrecovered outage to both a redundant and a non-redundant reaction wheel which results in the satellites not pointing towards the sun and the earth as expected. Unless resolved, the result of this pointing error would be reduced power generation and reduced communications capabilities. While OHB System, AG (“OHB”), the satellite bus manufacturer, continues its efforts to correct and develop alternate operational procedures to satisfactorily mitigate the effect of these anomalies, there can be no assurance in this regard. We are unable to quantify the impact, if any, that these anomalies will have on the expected useful life and communication capabilities of the satellites until the in-orbit testing is completed and more information about the root cause of the anomalies becomes available.
 
On April 21, 2006, we entered into an agreementFebruary 22, 2009, one quick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with Orbital Sciences Corporation to supply the payloads forsatellite by both our six quick-launch satellites. The priceground control systems and the ground control systems of the six payloads is $17 million, subjectcompany providing in-orbit monitoring and testing, KB Polyot-Joint Stock Company, a provider of sub-contracting services to price adjustments for late penalties and on-time or early delivery incentives. On June 5, 2006, we entered into an agreement with OHB-System AG, an affiliate of OHB Technology A.G.,OHB. We continue our efforts to design, develop and manufacture six satellite buses, integrate such busesre-establish contact with the payloadssatellite, but to date have not been successful. After consultation with OHB and our own engineers, we believe that after such an extended period of no communication with the satellite, it is unlikely that the satellite will be provided by Orbital Sciences Corporation,recovered. We conducted post-loss data analysis to better understand the causes of the power systems anomaly and launchresulting loss of contact with the six integrated satellites.satellite. The price foranalysis is focused on power system components that may have contributed to the six satellite busespower system anomaly. The otherquick-launch satellites have experienced outages of redundant power system components that are being investigated. Both we and related integrationOHB will continue to conduct this post-loss data analysis to determine the root cause and launch services is $20 million and payments underestablish operational procedures, if any, to mitigate the agreement are due upon specific milestones achieved by OHB-System AG. If OHB-System AG meets specific on-time delivery milestones, we would be obligated to pay up to an additional $1.0 million.risk of a similar anomaly from occurring on the remaining


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four quick-launch satellites, which are of the same design or the Coast Guard demonstration satellite which is of a similar design. During this process, we will continue the in-orbit testing of the remaining quick-launch and Coast Guard demonstration satellites thereby extending the time before these satellites can be placed in operational service. We are unable to quantify the likelihood that this anomaly will occur, if at all, on the other quick-launch or Coast Guard demonstration satellites or the impact, if any, that this potential anomaly will have on the expected useful life and communications capabilities of these satellites until the in-orbit testing is completed and more information about the root cause of the anomaly becomes available.
The loss of one quick-launch satellite is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our current communications service as the satellite was only in the testing phase and not in regular operational service. Furthermore, we do not expect the loss of this one satellite from the orbital plane of six satellites to have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide communications service in the future, based on a preliminary post-loss engineering analysis. Each of the Coast Guard demonstration and quick-launch satellites is equipped with an AIS payload and we believe the loss of one satellite will not adversely impact our current AIS service in any material respect, as the other satellites provide redundant capabilities to the AIS data service.
We have in-orbit insurance that under certain circumstances covers the total loss or constructive total loss of the Coast Guard demonstration and quick-launch satellites. The in-orbit insurance is subject to certain exclusions including a deductible under which no claim is payable under the policy in respect of the first satellite to suffer a constructive total loss or total loss. We are working with our insurance carriers to determine to what extent, if any, the in-orbit insurance will offset the impairment in value resulting from the loss of the quick-launch satellite, or otherwise result in insurance proceeds arising from the disclosed anomalies on the Coast Guard demonstration and remaining quick-launch satellites.
An impairment charge will be recognized in the quarter ending March 31, 2009 with respect to one of the quick-launch satellites as a result of our inability to recover the satellite after the loss of contact with the satellite. We estimate that a non-cash impairment charge to write-off the cost of the satellite of approximately $7.0 million will be reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements in the quarter ending March 31, 2009. This amount is estimated based on currently available information and is subject to change, although we do not presently expect that the actual impairment charge will be materially different than the estimated impairment charge described above. No amount of this impairment charge represents a cash expenditure and we do not expect that any amount of this impairment charge will result in any future cash expenditures.
On May 5, 2008, we entered into an agreement with Sierra Nevada Corporation (“SNC”) to construct eighteen low-earth-orbit satellites in three sets of six satellites for our next-generation satellites. SNC will also provide launch support services, a test satellite (excluding the mechanical structure), a satellite software simulator and the associated ground support equipment. Under the agreement, we may elect to use the launch option to be offered by SNC or we may contract separately with other providers for launch services and launch insurance for the satellites. Further, we have the option, exercisable at any time until the third anniversary of the execution of the agreement, to order up to thirty additional satellites substantially identical to the eighteen satellites. The total contract price is $117.0 million, subject to price reductions for failure to achieve certain milestones. To date, SNC has completed all of the major milestones on schedule.
Satellite Health
 
The majority of our current satellite fleet was put into service in the late 1990s and has an estimated operating life of approximately nine to twelve years after giving effect to certain operational changes and software updates. We believe that our satellite performance remains stable and sufficient for the use of our customers. Our satellite availability, or the percentage of time that aan operational satellite is available to pass commercial traffic, was 97.1%95.6% in 2007. Twenty-three2008. Twenty of the twenty-ninetwenty-seven operational satellites have aggregate average availability over 99.5%99.0%. With the high probability of several satellites in view at any one time, especially in the primary coverage area, and the constant motion of the satellites, the time aan operational satellite is unavailable is relatively insignificant.
 
Due to our satellite constellation architecture, which consists of numerous independent satellites, our space segment is inherently redundant and service quality is not significantly affected by an individual satellite failure, although service quality could be significantly affected by multiple satellite failures. Our system has experienced


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minor degradation over time, equal to less than 0.5%2% over the past five years (excluding fourthree satellites that have slightly lower commercial service capability). OurThe 2% degradation is primarily due to battery capacity reduction. We have and expect to continue to develop operational procedures to minimize the impact for providing messaging services with degraded batteries.
In 2008, one of our plane D satellites, which had limited availability and a battery anomaly preventing nighttime operation, stopped providing regular operational service although it may continue to provide operational service on a limited basis. The remaining five plane D satellites have been repositioned to minimize coverage gaps that impact system latency and overall capacity. In addition, one of our plane B satellites is no longer providing operational service. The remaining seven plane B satellites have been repositioned to minimize coverage gaps that impact system latency and overall capacity. In April 2007, our Plane F polar satellite, one of the original prototype first generation satellites launched in 1995, was retired in April 2007, due to intermittent service, without any material impact on our service. Prior to such retirement,retirements, a failure of an operational satellite last occurred in October 2000, prior to our acquisition of the satellite constellation in 2001, when a satellite experienced a processor malfunction. These failures are less than anticipated failure rates and demonstrate the benefits of a distributed satellite system architecture like ours. We do not expect the absence of these satellites to materially affect our business. These satellites are fully depreciated.
 
Gateway Health
 
We believe that the functionality of the ground segment of our system remains stable and sufficient for the use of our customers. The gateway earth stations in the United States are performing well. SeveralWe continue to perform infrastructure upgrades have been completed over the past few years including software upgrades which improved power conditioning and remote monitoring.
 
In general, our international gateway control centers are stable. Our gateway control centers located in Korea and Japan have all regularly exceeded 98% availability on amonth-to-month basis. In addition, our international gateway earth stations are performing reasonably well. We intend to continue to proactively provide preventative maintenance and training to the international operators of gateway earth station and gateway control center segments, we believe that our international ground segment components remain sufficient to provide a consistent level of availability and quality for the use of our customers.
 
Network Capacity
 
Over the last two years, we have conductedWe continue to conduct analyses to investigate the utilization of our communication channels. Various metrics were used in evaluating the different elements of the communication protocol. The efficiency of the satellites’ random access subscriber receivers is measured as the ratio of successfully received inbound communication packets to the number of assignments made to subscriber communicators. In the beginning of 2006, the average value of this ratio was approximately 30%, which is lower than the expected ratio of between 60% and 80%. Throughout 2006 and 2007, a number of improvements were made to raise this performance ratio to over 60%. Several modifications also were made in 2007 that impacted satellite capacity directly, resulting in a substantial increase in throughput capability. Further analysis and code optimizations are now in progress, and preliminary indications are that these will also contribute tangible increases in overall satellite throughput. It should be noted that failed messaging transactions do not result in lost messages, but do require subscriber communicators to re-initiate message transmissions. For the user, such instances could translate into message delays. Upon the successful completion of in-orbit testing, the addition of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the remaining quick-launch satellites will also increase network capacity. Each quick-launch satellite is equipped with a redundant/secondary subscriber receiver which increases the receiver functionality as compared to the existing satellites.
 
Regulation of Our System in the United States
 
FCC authorization
 
Any entity seeking to construct, launch, or operate a commercial satellite system in the United States must first be licensed by the FCC. ORBCOMM License Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ours, holds the satellite constellation license originally issued to ORBCOMM Global L.P. in 1994 (which we refer to as the Space Segment License). ThePursuant to an application we filed on May 31, 2007, the Space Segment License was most recently modified by the FCC on March 21, 2008, and currently authorizes construction, launch andthe operation of a constellation ofthe first generation ORBCOMM


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36 initialsatellites, the construction, launch and twelveoperation a total of 24 ORBCOMM next-generation replacement satellites, as well any required construction, launch an operation during the term of the license of additional little LEO satellites, and we havetechnically identical replacement satellites. ORBCOMM License Corp. also holds additional FCC licenses to: (1) operate four United States gateway earth stations; and (2) deploy and operate up to 1,000,000 subscriber communicators in the United States.
We believe that our system is currently in full compliance with all applicable FCC rules, policies, and license conditions. Although we did not construct and launch the additional twelve satellites authorized in the second processing round by the FCC-imposed March 2004 deadline, we timely filed for a three-year extension of the deadline. The FCC has not yet acted on that extension request, and there can be no assurance the FCC will grant the extension, in which case we would need to re-apply for authority to expand our satellite constellation above the originally-authorized 36 satellites. Alternatively, the FCC could establish new construction and launch milestones as part of the modification for the quick-launch and next generation satellites. We also believe that we will continue to be able to comply with all applicable FCC requirements, although we cannot assure you that it will be the case. Our next-generation satellites will have additional capabilities, and the transmission characteristics will differ from our current satellites. These new satellites may also operate on additional frequency ranges beyond those authorized in our current license. The use of additional frequenciesand/or transmission differences of the new satellites would likely render them not “technically identical” to our current satellites under the applicable Rules and policies of the FCC. As a result, on May 31, 2007, we filed an application at the FCC requesting modification of our satellite constellation license to permit launch and operation of our quick-launch satellites, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, and our next-generation satellites. On September 19, 2007, we filed an application for special temporary authority, or STA, to launch and operate the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the quick-launch satellites in the event that the FCC does not act on the modification application in sufficient time prior to the launch of these satellites. On November 16, 2007, we filed a supplemental amendment to our modification application to address issues raised by the FCC following the filing of the STA application relating to the choice of satellite telecommand frequencies for the quick-launch satellites. Both the modification application, and the supplemental amendment to the modification application, have been placed on Public Notice by the FCC, and have completed the statutory period for submission of petitions to deny with no oppositions filed. In the past, we have applied for, and have been granted, several license modifications and do not have any reason to believe that the FCC will deny our pending modification application, or any other such modification application we may file in the future. There is no assurance, however, that the FCC will grant our pending modification application, our pending STA, or any future modification applications on a timely basis or at all.
 
License renewal
 
The initialOur Space Segment License renewal application was granted by the FCC on March 21, 2008, extending the term of the Space Segment License ends onuntil April 10, 2010. We timely filed the renewal application for the Space Segment License on March 2, 2007, in accordance with the FCC’s little LEO space segment license renewal rules, and the renewal application appeared on public notice as accepted for filing on March 16, 2007. No oppositions to the renewal application were filed during the statutory period for such submissions following the issuance of that public notice.2025. The current FCC licenses for the United States gateway earth stations and subscriber communicators expire on May 17, 2020 and June 12, 2020, respectively, and the renewal applications must be filed between 30 and 90 days prior to expiration. Although the FCC has indicated that it isbeen positively disposed thus far towards granting our applications for license renewals, to a little LEO licensee that complies with little LEO licensing policies, there can be no assurance that the FCC will in fact renew our Space Segment License renewalFCC licenses in the future. Additionally, there can be no assurance that, to the extent that any modification our FCC licenses may be required in the future to address changed circumstances, that any related FCC applications we may file will be granted.granted on a timely basis, or at all.
 
FCC license conditions
 
We believe that our system is currently in full compliance with all applicable FCC rules, policies, and license conditions. Although we did not construct and launch the additional twelve satellites authorized in the second processing round by the FCC-imposed March 2004 deadline, we timely filed for a three-year extension of the deadline. The FCC has not yet acted on that extension request, and there can be no assurance the FCC will grant the extension, in which case we would need to re-apply for authority to expand our satellite constellation above the originally-authorized 36 satellites. Alternatively, the FCC could establish new construction and launch milestones as part of the modification for the quick-launch and next generation satellites. We also believe that we will continue to be able to comply with all applicable FCC requirements, although we cannot assure you that it will be the case. Our next-generation satellites will have additional capabilities, and
Under the transmission characteristics will differ from our


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FCC’s current satellites. These new satellites may also operate on additional frequency ranges beyond those authorized in our current license. The use of additional frequenciesand/or transmission differences of the new satellites would likely render them not “technically identical” to our current satellites under the applicable Rulesrules and policies of the FCC. As a result, on May 31, 2007, we filed an application at the FCC requesting modification of our satellite constellation license to permit launch and operation of our quick-launch satellites, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, and our next-generation satellites. On September 19, 2007, we filed an application for special temporary authority, or STA, to launch and operate the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the quick-launch satellites in the event that the FCC does not act on the modification application in sufficient time prior to the launch of these satellites. On November 16, 2007, we filed a supplemental amendment to our modification application to address issues raised by the FCC following the filing of the STA application relating to the choice of satellite telecommand frequencies for the quick-launch satellites. Both the modification application, and the supplemental amendment to the modification application, have been placed on Public Notice by the FCC, and have completed the statutory period for submission of petitions to deny with no oppositions filed. In the past, we have applied for, and have been granted, several license modifications and do not have any reason to believe that the FCC will deny our pending modification application, or any other such modification application we may file in the future. There is no assurance, however, that the FCC will grant our pending modification application, our pending STA, or any future modification applications on a timely basis or at all.
Accesslittle LEO licensing, access in the United States to certain portions of the uplink and downlink spectrum assigned to our system was made subject to possible future spectrum sharing arrangements with as many as fourone or more other little LEO systems, thatif such systems are proposed, and then authorized by the FCC conditionally authorized in March 1998. ThereFCC. However, there are currently no other FCC little LEO licensees authorized in our spectrum. While other entities could seek to be licensed in the little LEO service by the FCC, to our knowledge no new applications have been submitted to date. If any one or more new entities are licensed and do in fact proceed with system deployment in accordance with the previously established FCC requirements, we believe that there would be no material adverse effect on our system operations, although we cannot assure you it will be the case.
 
Non-common carrier status
 
All of our system’s FCC licenses authorize service provision on a “non-common carrier” basis. As a result, the system and the services provided thereby have been subject to limited FCC regulations, but not the obligations, restrictions and reporting requirements applicable to common carriers or to providers of Commercial Mobile Radio Services, or CMRS. There can be no assurance, however, that in the future, we will not be deemed by the FCC to provide services that are designated common carrier or CMRS, or that the FCC will not exercise its discretionary authority to apply its common carrier or CMRS rules and regulations to us or our system. If this were to occur, we would be subject to FCC obligations that include record retention requirements, limitations on use or disclosure of customer proprietary network information andtruth-in-billing regulations. In addition, we would need to obtain FCC approval for foreign ownership in excess of 25 percent and authority under Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to provide international services. Finally, we would be subject to additional reporting obligations with regard to international traffic and circuits, and Equal Employment Opportunity compliance.
 
United States import and export control regulations
 
We are subject to U.S. import and export control laws and regulations, specifically the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations and the trade sanctions laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and we believe we are in full compliance with all such laws and regulations. We also believe that we have obtained all the specific authorizations currently needed to operate our business and believe that the terms of the relevant licenses are sufficient given the scope and duration of the activities to which they pertain.


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Regulation of our System in Other Countries
 
Communications services
 
We, the relevant international licenseeand/or the relevant international licensee’s country representative in each country outside the United States must obtain the requisite local regulatory authorization before the commencement of service in that country. The process for obtaining the applicable regulatory authorization varies


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from country to country, and in some instances may require technical studies or actual experimental field tests under the directionand/or supervision of the local regulatory authority. Failure to obtain or maintain any requisite authorizations in any given country or territory could mean that services may not be provided in that country or territory.
 
Certain countries continue to require that some or all telecommunications services be provided by a government-owned or controlled entity. Therefore, under such circumstances, we may be required to offer our services through a government-owned or controlled entity.
 
To date the provision of services has been authorized by regulators in jurisdictions where regulatory authority is required in over 80 countries and territories in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Mexico and Australia. As part of our international initiative, we are in the process of seeking or assessing the prospect of obtaining regulatory authority in other countries and territories, including China, India and Russia. Because our satellites are licensed by the FCC, the scope of the local regulatory authority in any given country or territory outside of the United States (with the exception of countries where gateway earth stations are located) is generally limited to the operation of subscriber communicator equipment, but may also involve additional restrictions or conditions. Based on available information, we believe that the regulatory authorizations obtained by us, our international licenseesand/or their country representatives are sufficient for the provision of commercial services in the subject countries and territories, subject to continuing regulatory compliance. We also believe that additional local service provision authorizations may be obtained in other countries and territories in the near future.
 
Non-U.S. gateway earth stations
 
To date, in addition to those in the United States, gateway earth stations have been authorized and deployed in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Curaçao, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco and South Korea. Gateway earth stations are generally licensed on an individual facility basis. This process normally entails radio frequency coordination within the country of operation for the specific frequencies to be used in the designated geographic location of the subject gateway earth station. This domestic frequency coordination is in addition to any international coordination that may be required, as determined by the proximity of the gateway earth station location to foreign borders (see “— International Regulation of Our System”). Based on the best available information, we believe that each of the above-listed gateway earth stations authorizations is sufficient for the provision of our commercial services in the areas served by the relevant facilities. We will need additional gateway earth station authorizations in other countries as we install additional gateway earth stations around the world.
 
Equipment standards
 
Each manufacturer of the applicable subscriber communicator is contractually responsible to obtain and maintain the governmental authorizations necessary to operate their subscriber communicators in each jurisdiction. Most countries generally require all radio transmission equipment used within their borders to comply with operating standards that may include specifications relating to required minimum acceptable levels for radiated power, power density and spurious emissions into adjacent frequency bands not allocated for the intended use. Technical criteria established by telecommunications equipment standards issued by the FCCand/or the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, or ETSI, are generally accepted,and/or closely duplicated by domestic equipment approval regulations in most countries. All current models of subscriber communicators comply with established FCC standards and many comply with ETSI standards.
 
International Regulation of our System
 
Our use of certain orbital planes and related system radio frequency assignments, as licensed by the FCC, is subject to the frequency coordination and registration process of the ITU. In order to protect satellite systems from harmful radio frequency interference from other satellite communications systems, the ITU maintains a Master


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International Frequency Register, or MIFR, of radio frequency assignments and their associated orbital locations. Each ITU member state (referred to as an administration) is required by treaty to give notice of, coordinate and register its proposed use of radio frequency assignments and associated orbital locations with the ITU’s Radio communication Bureau.


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The FCC serves as the notifying administration for the United States and is responsible for filing and coordinating our allocated radio frequency assignments and associated orbital locations for the system with both the ITU’s Radio communication Bureau and the national administrations of other countries in each satellite’s service region. While the FCC, as our notifying administration, is responsible for coordinating the system, in practice the satellite licensee is generally responsible for identifying any potential interference concerns with existing systems or those enjoying date priority and to coordinate with such systems. If we are unable to reach agreement and finalize coordination, the FCC would then assist with such coordination.
 
When the coordination process is completed, the ITU formally enters each satellite system’s orbital and frequency use characteristics in the MIFR. Such registration notifies all proposed users of frequencies that the registered satellite system is protected from interference from subsequent or non-conforming uses by other nations. In the event disputes arise during coordination, the ITU’s radio regulations do not contain mandatory dispute resolution or enforcement mechanisms and dispute resolution procedures are based on the willingness of the parties concerned to reach a mutually acceptable agreement voluntarily. Neither the ITU specifically, nor international law generally, provides clear remedies if this voluntary process fails.
 
The FCC has notified the ITU that our system was initially placed in service in April 1995 and that it has operated without any substantiated complaints of interference since that time. The FCC has also informed the ITU that our system has successfully completed its coordination with all countries other than Russia. We expect that we will successfully complete the ITU coordination process with Russia in the near future, at which time the complete system will be formally registered in the MIFR. On September 27, 2007, the FCC transmitted an Advance Publication submission to the ITU relating to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, the quick-launch satellites and the next-generation satellites; the first step in the international coordination process for our new satellites. If design modifications to future system satellites entail substantial changes to the frequency utilization by the subject system component(s), additional international coordination may be required or reasonably deemed advisable. However, we believe that ITU coordination can be successfully completed in all circumstances where such coordination is required, although we cannot assure you that we will successfully complete such ITU coordination. Failure to complete requisite ITU coordination could have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless, to date, and to our best knowledge, the system has not caused harmful interference to any other radio system, or suffered harmful interference from any other radio system.
 
Intellectual Property
 
We use and hold intellectual property rights for a number of trademarks, service marks and logos for our system. We have one main mark — “ORBCOMM” — which is registered or is pending registration in approximately 125 countries. In addition, we currently have three issued patents and one patent application relating to various aspects of our system, and at any time we may file additional patent applications in the appropriate countries for various aspects of our system.
 
We believe that all intellectual property rights used in our system were independently developed or duly licensed by us, by those we license the rights from or by the technology companies who supplied portions of our system. We cannot assure you, however, that third parties will not bring suit against us for patent or other infringement of intellectual property rights.
 
Our patents cover various aspects of the protocol employed by our subscriber communicators. In addition, certain intellectual property rights to the software used by the Stellar subscriber communicators is cross-licensed between Stellar and Delphi.


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Employees
 
As of December 31, 2007,2008, we had 96108 full-time employees, 27 of whom are at our Fort Lee, New Jersey headquarters and 69 of whom are at our Dulles, Virginia network control center and offices.employees. Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreements and we have not experienced a work stoppage since our inception. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.


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Corporate Information
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 2115 Linwood Avenue, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024, and our telephone number is(201) 363-4900. Our website iswww.orbcomm.com and information contained on our website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report onForm 10-K. Our annual, quarterly, and other reports, and amendments to those reports can be obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website or from the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
Certain information regarding our executive officers is provided below:
 
       
Name 
Age
 Position(s)
 
Jerome B.Marc J. Eisenberg  6842  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Robert G. Costantini  4849  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Marc Eisenberg41Chief Operating Officer
John J. Stolte, Jr.   4849  Executive Vice President — Technology and Operations
Christian G. Le Brun41Executive Vice President and General Counsel
 
Jerome B.Marc J. Eisenberghas been our Chairman of the Board since January 2006, andis our Chief Executive Officer and President, a position he has held since December 2004. Effective March 31, 2008, he will retire as Chief Executive Officer and President and will continue as non-executive chairman of the Board. Mr. Eisenberg has been a member of our board of directors since February 2004March 7, 2008. From June 2006 to March 30, 2008 he was our Chief Operating Officer and from March 2002 to June 2006, he was our Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. He was a member of the board of directors of ORBCOMM LLC and ORBCOMM Holdings LLC since 2001. Betweenfrom May 2002 until February 2004. Prior to joining ORBCOMM, from 1999 to 2001, and December 2004, Mr. Eisenberg held a number of positions with ORBCOMM Inc. and with ORBCOMM LLC, including, most recently, Co-Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM Inc. Mr. Eisenberg has worked in the satellite industry since 1993 when he helped found Satcom. From 1987 to 1992, he was President and CEO of British American Properties, an investment company funded by European and American investors that acquired and managed various real estate and industrial facilities in various parts of the U.S. Prior thereto, Mr. Eisenberg was a partner in the law firm of Eisenberg, Honig & Folger; CEO andSenior Vice President of Helenwood Manufacturing Corporation (presently knownCablevision Electronics Investments, where among his duties he was responsible for selling Cablevision services such as Tennier Industries),video and internet subscriptions through its retail channel. From 1984 to 1999, he held various positions, most recently as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations with the consumer electronics company The Wiz, where he oversaw sales and operations and was responsible for over 2,000 employees and $1 billion a manufacturer of equipment for the U.S. Department of Defense with 500 employees; and Assistant Corporate Counsel for the City of New York.year in sales. Mr. Eisenberg is the fatherson of Marc Eisenberg.Jerome B. Eisenberg, our Chairman of the Board.
 
Robert G. Costantiniis our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he has held since October 2, 2006. From October 2003 until September 2006, he served as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary of First Aviation Services Inc., an aviation services company providing aircraft parts and maintenance services. From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Costantini was the Chief Financial Officer of FocusVision Worldwide, Inc., a technology company providing video transmission services. From 1986 to 1989, he was Corporate Controller and from 1989 to 1999 he was Vice-President — Finance of M.T. Maritime Management Corp., a global maritime transportation company. Mr. Costantini started his career with Peat Marwick, Mitchell & Co. Mr. Costantini is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and a member of the bar of New York and Connecticut.
 
Marc Eisenbergis our Chief Operating Officer, a position he has held since February 27, 2007 and a member of our board of directors since March 7, 2008. Effective March 31, 2008, he will become Chief Executive Officer and President upon Jerome Eisenberg’s retirement. From June 2006 to February 2007, he was our Chief Marketing Officer. From March 2002 to June 2006, he was our Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. He was a member of the board of directors of ORBCOMM Holdings LLC from May 2002 until February 2004. Prior to joining ORBCOMM, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. Eisenberg was a Senior Vice President of Cablevision Electronics Investments, where among his duties he was responsible for selling Cablevision services such as video and internet subscriptions through its retail channel. From 1984 to 1999, he held various positions, most recently as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations with the consumer electronics company The Wiz, where he oversaw sales and operations and was responsible for over 2,000 employees and $1 billion a year in sales. Mr. Eisenberg is the son of Jerome B. Eisenberg.


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John J. Stolte, Jr. is our Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations, a position he has held since April 2001. From January to April 2001, he held a similar position with ORBCOMM Global L.P. Mr. Stolte has over 20 years of technology management experience in the aerospace and telecommunications industries. Prior to joining ORBCOMM Global L.P., Mr. Stolte held a number of positions at Orbital Sciences Corporation from September 1990 to January 2001, most recently as Program Director, where he was responsible for design, manufacturing and launch of the ORBCOMM satellite constellation. From 1982 to 1990, Mr. Stolte worked for McDonnell Douglas in a number of positions including at the Naval Research Laboratory where he led the successful integration, test and launch of a multi-billion dollar defense satellite.


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Christian G. Le Brunis our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, a position he has held since March 31, 2008. From April 2005 to March 30, 2008, Mr. Le Brun was our Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to joining ORBCOMM, from 1999 to 2005, Mr. Le Brun was an attorney with Chadbourne & Parke LLP, where he oversaw a broad range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, corporate restructurings and work-outs, as well as debt and equity financing arrangements involving publicly-held and private companies. In addition, from 1994 to 1999, he was a corporate attorney with Pullman & Comley, LLC.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
 
Set forth below and elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. Any of these risks could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or the price of our common stock. Because of the following factors, as well as other variables affecting our operating results, past financial performance should not be considered as a reliable indicator of future performance and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.
 
Risks Relating to Our Business
 
A global recession and continued worldwide credit and capital constraints could adversely affect us.
Recent global economic conditions, including concerns about a potential global recession, tightening of credit and capital markets and failures or material business deteriorations of financial institutions and other entities, have resulted in unprecedented government intervention in the U.S., Europe and other regions of the world. In addition, the current market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to lack of customer confidence, increased market volatility and a reduction of general business activity. If these conditions continue or worsen, risks to us include:
• potential declines in revenues, profitability and cash flow due to reduced orders for our products and services, payment delays or other factors caused by economic challenges faced by our customers, end-users and prospective customers and end-users;
• potential adverse impacts on our ability and our customers’ and vendors’ ability to access credit and capital sources; and
• potential reprioritization by our customers, end-users and prospective customers and end-users of resources away from investments in capital improvements, equipment, vehicles or vessels which use our products and services including in the transportation market among other markets which use our products and services.
Any such impacts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow.
We are incurring substantial operating losses and net losses. We anticipate additional future losses. We must significantly increase our revenues to become profitable.
 
We have had annual net losses since our inception, including a net loss of $3.6$4.5 million for fiscal year 20072008 and at December 31, 2007,2008, we had an accumulated deficit of $63.4$68.0 million. Our future results will continue to reflect significant operating expenses, including expenses associated with expanding our sales and marketing efforts, maintaining the infrastructure to operate as a public company and product development for our subscriber communicator products for use with our system. As a result, we anticipate additional operating losses and net losses in the future. The continued development of our business also will require additional capital expenditures for, among other things, the development, construction and launch of additional satellites, including more capableour next-generation satellites, the development of more advanced subscriber communicators for use with our system and the installation of additional gateway earth stations and gateway control centersassociated satellite network ground segment facilities around the world.world, as well as the maintenance of existing gateway earth stations and satellite network ground segment facilities that we own and operate. Accordingly, as we make these capital investments, our future results will include greater depreciation and amortization expense which reflect the full cost of acquiring these new assets.


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In order to become profitable, we must achieve substantial revenue growth. Revenue growth will depend on the success of our resellers and acceptance of our products and services by end-users in current markets, as well as in new geographic and industry markets. We may not become profitable and we may not be able to sustain such profitability, if achieved.
 
We may need additional capital, which may not be available to us when we need it on favorable terms, or at all.
 
If our future cash flows from operations are less than expected or if our capital expenditures exceed our spending plans, either in terms of aggregate amount or timing, our existing sources of liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash generated from sales of our products and services may not be sufficient to fund our anticipated operations, capital expenditures (including the deployment of additional satellites), working capital and other financing requirements. If we continue to incur operating losses in the future, we may need to reduce further our operating costs or obtain alternate sources of financing, or both, to remain viable and, in particular, to fund the design, productionconstruction and launch of additional satellites, including theour next-generation satellites. We cannot assure you that we will have access to additional sources of capital on favorable terms or at all.
 
We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management devotes substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
 
We incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a public company, including costs resulting from regulations regarding corporate governance practices. For example, the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Global


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Market require that we satisfy certain corporate governance requirements relating to independent directors, audit committees, distribution of annual and interim reports, stockholder meetings, stockholder approvals, solicitation of proxies, conflicts of interest, stockholder voting rights and codes of conduct. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, these rules and regulations could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.
 
If end-users do not accept our services and the applications developed by VARs or we cannot obtain or maintain the necessary regulatory approvals or licenses for particular countries or territories, we will fail to attract new customers and our business will be harmed.
 
Our success depends on end-users accepting our services, the applications developed by VARs, and a number of other factors, including the technical capabilities of our system, the availability of low cost subscriber communicators, the receipt and maintenance of regulatory and other approvals in the United States and other countries and territories in which we operate, the price of our services and the extent and availability of competitive or alternative services. We may not succeed in increasing revenue from the sale of our products and services to new and existing customers. Our failure to significantly increase the number of end-users will harm our business.
 
Our business plan assumes that potential customers and end-users will accept certain limitations inherent in our system. For example, our satellite system is optimized for small packet, or narrowband, data transmissions, is subject to certain delays in the relay of messages, referred to as latencies, and may be subject to certainline-of-sight limitations between our satellites and the end-user’s subscriber communicator. In addition, our satellite system is not capable of handling voice traffic. Certain potential end-users, particularly those requiring full time, real-time communications and those requiring the transmission of large amounts of data (greater than eight kilobytes per message) or voice traffic, may find such limitations unacceptable. Furthermore, our satellite-based AIS system does not receive all AIS transmission signals on AIS equipped vessels in a given day due to signal collisions and co-channel interference of AIS transmissions, particularly in areas with a high density of AIS equipped vessels such as ports.
 
In addition to the limitations imposed by the architecture of our system, our failure to obtain the necessary regulatory and other approvals or licenses in a given country or territory will preclude the availability of our services


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in such country or territory until such time, if at all, that such approvals or licenses can be obtained. Certain potential end-users requiring messaging services in those countries and territories may find such limitations unacceptable.
 
We face competition from existing and potential competitors in the telecommunications industry, including numerous terrestrial and satellite-based network systems with greater resources, which could reduce our market share and revenues.
 
Competition in the telecommunications industry is intense, fueled by rapid, continuous technological advances and alliances between industry participants seeking to capture significant market share. We face competition from numerous existing and potential alternative telecommunications products and services provided by various large and small companies, including sophisticated two-way satellite-based data and voice communication services and next-generation digital cellular services, such as GSM and 3G.3G, which has influenced the price at which our VARs and other service providers offer our services. Recently, competition from Iridium and, to a lesser extent, Globalstar, two global mobile satellite communication services operators, has been increasing with respect to low speed data service. In addition, a continuing trend toward consolidation and strategic alliances in the telecommunications industry could give rise to significant new competitors, and any foreign competitorcompetitors may benefit from government subsidies, from, or other protective measures, afforded by its home country. Some of these competitors may provide more efficient or less expensive services than we are able to provide, which could reduce our market share and adversely affect our revenues and business.
 
Many of our existing and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing and distribution resources than we do. Additionally, many of these companies have greater name recognition and more established relationships with our target customers. Furthermore, these competitors may be able to adopt more aggressive pricing policies and offer customers more attractive terms than we can.
 
We have a limited operating history and recently commenced the commercialization of our new satellite-based AIS service, which makes it difficult to evaluate your investment in us.
 
We have conducted commercial operations only since April 2001, when we acquired substantially all of our current communications system from ORBCOMM Global L.P. and its subsidiaries. In addition, with the launch of our Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the quick-launch satellites, we recently commenced the commercialization of our new satellite-based AIS service. Our prospects and ability to implement our current business plan, including our ability to provide commercial two-way data communications


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service in key markets on a global basis and to generate revenues and positive operating cash flows, will depend on our ability to, among other things:
 
 • successfully place in commercial service, operate and maintain our Coast Guard demonstration and our quick-launch satellites and successfully design, construct, launch, place in commercial service, operate and maintain our U.S Coast Guard demonstration and our quick-launch and next-generation satellites in a timely and cost-effectivecost-efficient manner;
 
 • develop licensing and distribution arrangements in key markets within and outside the United States sufficient to capture and retain an adequate customer base;
 
 • install the necessary ground infrastructure and obtain and maintain the necessary regulatory and other approvals in key markets outside the United States, by our own efforts or through our existing or future international licensees, to expand our business internationally; and
 
 • provide for the timely design, manufacture and distribution of subscriber communicators in sufficient quantities, with appropriate functional characteristics and at competitive prices, for various applications.applications; and
• obtain the consent of the U.S. Coast Guard to provide AIS data from the Coast Guard demonstration satellite to third parties to the extent required by the contract.
 
Given our limited operating history, there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve these objectives or develop a sufficiently large revenue-generating customer base to achieve profitability. In particular, because we acquired a fully operational satellite constellation and communications system from ORBCOMM Global L.P. and


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its subsidiaries, our current senior management team has limited experience with managing the design, construction, launch, and launchin-orbit testing and deployment of a satellite system.
One quick-launch satellite recently experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite, which could also occur with the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the other quick-launch satellites of the same or similar design. Any additional losses of these satellites would have a major impact on our plans to replenish and extend the operating life of our satellite constellation.
In February 2009, one quick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite. Even if we can determine the root cause and establish operations procedures, if any, to preclude a similar anomaly from occurring on the remaining four quick-launch satellites that are of the same design of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite which is of a similar design, we may not be able to prevent a similar occurrence from happening on the remaining quick-launch and Coast Guard demonstration satellites.
Our plans to extend the operating life of our network are dependent on our the health of our satellites, especially our new quick-launch satellites, and if we experience the loss of contact on the Coast Guard demonstration satellite or other quick-launch satellites it could have a significant impact on the operating life of our network. The successful operation of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the remaining deployed quick-launch satellites is important to us to test and ultimately to leverage our work with AIS to then resell AIS data collected by our satellites, as well as to augment our current satellite constellation. In addition, these new satellites are intended to supplement and ultimately replace our existing Plane A satellites and is important to maintain adequate service levels and to provide additional capacity for future subscriber growth. A failure of either our Coast Guard demonstration satellite or any of our remaining deployed quick-launch satellites could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the failure of a satellite that has not been fully depreciated such as the Coast Guard demonstration or a quick-launch satellite could require that we record an impairment charge reflecting the satellite’s net book value. See “The ORBCOMM Communications System — System Status” for a description of the status of our communications network.
Our success in generating sufficient cash from operations to fund a portion of the cost of constructing and launching our next-generation satellites will depend in part on the market acceptance and success of our new AIS data service, which may not occur.
In 2008, we successfully launched the Coast Guard demonstration and quick-launch satellites, each of which is equipped with AIS payloads that enable them to receive and report AIS transmissions to be used for ship tracking and other navigational activities, and have been working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard on the AIS project. We intend to market AIS data received from both the Coast Guard demonstration and quick-launch satellites as well as our next generation satellites to other U.S. and international government agencies, as well as to companies whose businesses require such information.
The market for our satellite-based AIS service is new and untested. We cannot predict with certainty the potential demand for the services we plan to offer or the extent to which we will be able to meet that demand. Although we believe the market for satellite-based AIS service is significant, the actual size of the market is unknown and subject to significant uncertainty. Demand for our AIS data service offerings in general, in particular geographic markets, for particular types of services or during particular time periods may not enable us to generate sufficient positive cash flow to fund a portion of the cost of our next-generation satellites. Among other things, end-user acceptance of our AIS data service offerings will depend upon:
• the actual size of the addressable market;
• our ability to provide attractive service offerings at competitive prices to our target markets;
• the effectiveness of our competitors in developing and offering alternative technologies or lower priced services; and
• general and local economic conditions.


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Our business plan assumes a rapidly growing revenue base for AIS data service. If we cannot implement this business plan successfully and gain market acceptance for these planned AIS data services, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.
 
We rely on third parties to market and distribute our services to end-users. If these parties are unwilling or unable to provide applications and services to end-users, our business will be harmed.
 
We rely on VARs to market and distribute our services to end-users in the United States, and we rely on international licensees, country representatives, VARs and IVARs, outside the United States.States (we refer collectively here to all such parties as “resellers”). We also rely on resellers to market and distribute our AIS services. The willingness of companiesour existing resellers, as well as potential new resellers, to become international licensees, country representatives, VARs and IVARs (which we referengage or continue to as resellers) will dependengage in our business depends on a number of factors, including whether they perceive our services to be compatible with their existing businesses,business objectives, whether they believe we will successfully deploy our next-generation satellites, whether the prices they can charge end-users will provide an adequate return, and regulatory restrictions,constraints, if any. We believe that successful marketing of our services will depend on the design, development and commercial availability of applications that support the specific needs of the targeted end-users. The design, development and implementation of applications require the commitment of substantial financial and technological resources on the part of these resellers. Certain resellers are, and many potential resellers will be, newly formed or small ventures with limited financial resources, and such entities might not be successful in their efforts to design applications or effectively market our services. The inability of these resellers to provide applications to end-users could have a harmful effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also believe that our success depends upon the pricing of applications by our resellers to end-users, over which we have no control.control other than with respect to AIS services under certain circumstances.
As a result of these arrangements, we are dependent on the performance of our resellers to generate substantially all our service revenues. If our resellers fail to market or distribute our services effectively, our revenues, profitability, liquidity and reputation could be adversely affected.
 
Defects or errors in applications could result in end-users not being able to use our services, which would damage our reputation and harm our financial condition.
 
VARs, IVARs, international licensees and country representativesOur resellers must develop applications quickly to keep pace with rapidly changing markets. These applications, as well as new models of subscriber communicators, have long development cycles and are likely to contain undetected errors or defects, especially when first introduced or when subsequent versions are introduced, which could result in the disruption of our services to the end-users. While we sometimes assist our resellers in developing applications, we have limited ability to accelerate development cycles to avoid errors and defects in their applications. Such disruption could damage our reputation as well as the reputation of the respective resellers, and result in lost customers, lost revenue, diverted development resources, and increased service and warranty costs.
 
Because we depend on a few significant customercustomers for a substantial portion of our revenues, the loss or decline or slowdown in growth in business of thisany customer could seriously harm our business.
 
GE, a significant customer, represented 40.3%18.8% and 49.5%40.3% of our revenues in 20072008 and 2006,2007, respectively, primarily from sales to GE Asset Intelligence LLC, or AI, a subsidiary of GE Equipment Services, of subscriber communicators by our Stellar subsidiary and service revenues from our ORBCOMM LLC subsidiary. We expect


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GE Equipment Services to continue to represent a substantial part of our revenues in the near future. AI did not purchase its minimum committed volume for 2008 and 2007 under the 2006 Agreement and, as a result, AI is in default under the terms of the 2006 Agreement. We are currently in discussions with AI to amend the 2006 Agreement to extend the time periods within which AI is required to purchase its minimum committed volumes. However, there can be no assurance as to whether or when a mutually satisfactory amendment will be agreed to by the parties. In the event that we and AI are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution regarding the 2006 Agreement, we may pursue remedies available to us. As a result, the loss of this customer including the termination of the 2006 Agreementor any other major customer, or decline or slowdown in the growth in business of this customer or any other significant customer, which could occur at any time, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, because service revenue depends either partially or entirely on the usage of the ORBCOMM System by our customers and end users, the decline or slowdown in the growth of usage patterns of AI or any other significant customer, which could occur at any time and with or without


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a reduction in the number of billable subscriber communicators activated on the ORBCOMM System by such customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
If our international licensees and country representatives are not successful in establishing their businesses outside of the United States, the prospects for our business will be limited.
 
Outside of the United States, we rely largely on international licensees and country representatives to establish businesses in their respective territories, including obtaining and maintaining necessary regulatory and other approvals as well as managing local VARs. International licensees and country representatives may not be successful in obtaining and maintaining the necessary regulatory and other approvals to provide our services in their assigned territories and, even if those approvals are obtained and maintained, international licenseesand/or country representatives may not be successful in developing a marketand/or distribution network within their territories. Certain of the international licenseesand/or country representatives are, or are likely to be, newly formed or small ventures with limited or no operational history and limited financial resources, and any such entities may not be successful in their efforts to secure adequate financing and to continue operating. In addition, in certain countries and territories outside the United States, we rely on international licensees and country representatives to operate and maintain various components of our system, such as gateway earth stations. These international licensees and country representatives may not be successful in operating and maintaining such components of our communications system and may not have the same financial incentives as we do to maintain those components in good repair.
 
Some of our international licensees and country representatives are experiencing significant operational and financial difficulties and have in the past defaulted on their obligations to us.
 
Many of our international licensees and country representatives were also international licensees and country representatives of the Predecessor Company and, as a consequence of the bankruptcy of ORBCOMM Global L.P., they were left in many cases with significant financial problems, including significant debt and insufficient working capital. Certain of our international licensees and country representatives (including in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, parts of South America and Africa, and to a lesser extent, Europe) have not yet been able to successfully or adequately reorganize or recapitalize themselves and as a result have continued to experience significant material difficulties, including the failure to pay us for our services. To date, several of our licensees and country representatives have had difficulty in paying their usage fees and have not paid us or have paid us at reduced rates and in cases where collectibility is not reasonably assured, we have not reflected invoices issued to such licensees and country representatives in our revenues or accounts receivable. The ability of these international licensees and country representatives to pay their obligations to us may be dependent, in many cases, upon their ability to successfully restructure their business and operations or raise additional capital. In addition, we have from time to time had disagreements with certain of our international licensees related to these operational and financial difficulties. To the extent these international licensees and country representatives are unable to reorganizeand/or raise additional capital to execute their business plans on favorable terms (or are delayed in doing so), our ability to offer services internationally and recognize revenue will be impaired and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
 
We currently are unable to offer “near-real-time” service in important regions of the world due to the absence of gateway earth stations in those areas, which is limiting our growth and our ability to compete.
Our objective is to establish a worldwide service network, either directly or through independent gateway operators, but to date we have been unable to do so in certain areas of the world and we may not succeed in doing so in the future. We have been unable to find capable independent gateway operators or otherwise obtain regulatory authorizations to install and operate gateway earth stations for several important regions and countries, including Southern Africa, India, Russia and certain parts of Southeast Asia. This could reduce overall demand for our products and services and reduce the value of our services for potential users who require service in these areas.


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A natural disaster could diminish our ability to provide communications service.
Natural disasters could damage or destroy our gateway earth stations or our other ground-based facilities resulting in a disruption of service to our customers in the affected region. In addition, the collateral effects of such natural disasters could impair the functioning of our ground equipment. If a natural disaster were to impair or destroy any of our ground facilities, we might be unable to provide service to our customers in the affected area for a period of time. Even if the gateway earth stations are not affected by natural disasters, our service could be disrupted if a natural disaster damages wireline or terrestrial wireless networks that we utilize, or disrupts our ability to connect to those networks. Such failure or service disruptions could harm our business and results of operations.
We rely on a limited number of manufacturers for our subscriber communicators. If we are unable to, or cannot find third parties to, manufacture a sufficient quantity of subscriber communicators at a reasonable price, the prospects for our business will be negatively impacted.
 
The development and availability on a timely basis of relatively inexpensive subscriber communicators are critical to the successful commercial operation of our system. Our Stellar subsidiary relies on a contract


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manufacturer, Delphi Automotive Systems LLC, or Delphi, a subsidiary of Delphi Corporation, to produce subscriber communicators. Our customers may not be able to obtain a sufficient supply of subscriber communicators at price points or with functional characteristics and reliability that meet their needs. An inability to successfully develop and manufacture subscriber communicators that meet the needs of customers and are available in sufficient numbers and at prices that render our services cost-effective to customers could limit the acceptance of our system and potentially affect the quality of our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Delphi Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2005. Our business may be materially and adversely affected if Stellar’s agreement with Delphi Corporation is terminated or modified as part of Delphi Corporation’s reorganization in bankruptcy or otherwise. If our agreements with third party manufacturers are, or Stellar’s agreement with Delphi Corporation is, terminated or expire, our search for additional or alternate manufacturers could result in significant delays, added expense and an inability to maintain or expand our customer base. Any of these events could require us to take unforeseen actions or devote additional resources to provide our services and could harm our ability to compete effectively. We are currently in discussions with Delphi to extend our agreement which expired on December 31, 2007.
 
There are currently three manufacturers of subscriber communicators, including Stellar, Quake Global, Inc., or Quake, and Mobile Applitech. In addition, Wavecom is manufacturing a model of dual-mode subscriber communicator (GSM cellular and ORBCOMM) based on a licensing arrangement with Mobile Applitech Inc. and our Stellar subsidiary.with respect to the ORBCOMM communications component. If our agreements with third party manufacturers, including our subscriber communicator manufacturing agreementagreements with Quake or Mobile Applitech are terminated or expire, our search for additional or alternate manufacturers could result in significant delays in customers activating subscriber communicators on our communications system, added expense for our customers and our inability to maintain or expand our customer base.
 
We depend on recruiting and retaining qualified personnel and our inability to do so would seriously harm our business.
 
Because of the technical nature of our services and the market in which we compete, our success depends on the continued services of our current executive officers andkey personnel, including certain of our engineering personnel, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. The loss of the services of one or more of our key employees or our inability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business and our financial condition and results of operations. We do not have key-man life insurance policies covering any of our executive officers or key technical personnel. Competitors and others have in the past, and may in the future, attempt to recruit our employees. The available pool of individuals with relevant experience in the satellite industry is limited, and the process of identifying and recruiting personnel with the skills necessary to operate our system can be lengthy and expensive. In addition, new employees generally require substantial training, which requires significant resources and management attention. Even if we invest significant resources to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel, we may not be successful in our efforts.


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Our management team is subject to a variety of demands for its attention and rapid growth and litigation could further strain our management and other resources and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We currently face a variety of challenges, including maintaining the infrastructure and systems necessary for us to operate as a public company, addressing our pending litigation matters and managing the recent rapid expansiongrowth of our business. Our recent growth and expansion has increased our number of employees and the responsibilities of our management team. Any litigation, regardless of the merit or resolution, could be costly and divert the efforts and attention of our management. As we continue to expand, we may further strain our management and other resources. Our failure to meet these challenges as a result of insufficient management or other resources could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may be subject to litigation proceedings that could adversely affect our business.
 
We may be subject to legal claims or regulatory matters involving stockholder, consumer, antitrust and other issues. We and certain of our officers have been named as defendants in a class action lawsuit claiming, among other


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things, material misstatements or omissions in our registration statement related to our initial public offering in November 2006. We and the other named defendants agreed in principle to settle the action, while continuing to deny any liability for these claims, for a payment of $2.5 million to be paid entirely by our insurer providing directors and officers liability coverage for the claims asserted in the litigation. The agreement remains subject to final negotiated documentation executed by the parties and approval by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurred or future periods.
 
Our business is characterized by rapid technological change and we may not be able to compete with new and emerging technologies.
 
We operate in the telecommunications industry, which is characterized by extensive research and development efforts and rapid technological change. New and advanced technology which can perform essentially the same functions as our service (though without global coverage), such as next-generation digital cellular networks (GSM and 3G), direct broadcast satellites, and other forms of wireless transmission, are in various stages of development by others in the industry. These technologies are being developed, supported and rolled out by entities that may have significantly greater resources than we do. These technologies could adversely impact the demand for our services. Research and development by others may lead to technologies that render some or all of our services non-competitive or obsolete in the future.
 
Because we operate in a highly regulated industry, we may be subjected to increased regulatory restrictions which could disrupt our service or increase our operating costs.
 
System operators and service providers are subject to extensive regulation under the laws of various countries and the rules and policies they adopt. These rules and policies, among other things, establish technical parameters for the operation of facilities and subscriber communicators, determine the permissible uses of facilities and subscriber communicators, and establish the terms and conditions pursuant to which our international licensees and country representatives operate their facilities, including certain of the gateway earth stations and gateway control centers in our system. These rules and policies may also require our international licensees and country representatives to cut-off the data passing through the gateway earth stations or gateway control centers without notifying us or our end-users, significantly disrupting the operation of our communications system. These rules and policies may also regulateimpose regulatory constraints on the use of subscriber communicators within certain countries or territories. International and domestic licensing and certification requirements may cause a delay in the marketing of our services and products, may impose costly fees and procedures on our international licensees and country representatives, and may give a competitive advantage to larger companies that compete with our international licensees and country representatives. Possible future changes to regulations and policies in the countries in which we operate may result in additional regulatory requirements or restrictions on the services and equipment we provide, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. Although we believe that we or


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our international licensees and country representatives have obtained all the licenses required to conduct our business as it is operated today, we may not be able to obtain, modify or maintain such licenses in the future. Moreover, changes in international or domestic licensing and certification requirements may result in disruptions of our communications services or alternatively result in added operational costs, which could harm our business. Our use of certain orbital planes and VHFradio frequency assignments, as licensed by the FCC, is subject to the frequency coordination and registration process of the ITU. In the event disputes arise during coordination, the ITU’s radio regulations do not contain mandatory dispute resolution or enforcement mechanisms and neither the ITU specifically, nor does international law generally, provide clear remedies in this situation. Finally, our business could be adversely affected by the adoption of new laws, fees, policies or regulations, or changes in the interpretation or application of existing laws, fees, policies and regulations that modify the present regulatory environment, including with respect to prohibiting or limiting the distribution of real or near-real-time AIS data.
 
Our business would be negatively impacted if therelies on our ability to maintain our FCC revokes or fails to renew or amend our licenses.
 
Our FCC licenses — a license for the satellite constellation, separate licenses for the four U.S. gateway earth stations and a blanket license for the subscriber communicators — are subject to revocation if we fail to satisfy certain conditions or to meet certain prescribed milestones. While theOur FCC satellite constellation license is valid until April 10, 2010, we were required, slightly more than three years prior to2025 and authorizes the expirationcontinued operation of the FCC satellite constellationfirst generation ORBCOMM satellites, the construction, launch and operation of a total of 24 ORBCOMM next-generation satellites, as well any required construction, launch an operation during the term of the license to apply for a license renewal with the FCC. The renewal application was timely filed with the FCC on March 2, 2007, and appeared on public notice on March 16, 2007.of additional technically identical replacement satellites. The U.S. gateway earth station and subscriber communicator licenses will expire in 2020. Renewal applications for the gateway earth station and subscriber communicator licenses must be filed between 30 and 90 days prior to expiration. Although the FCC has


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indicated that it is been positively disposed thus far towards granting our applications for license renewals, to a below 1 GHz band, or little LEO, licensee that complies with the applicable FCC licensing policies, there can be no assurance that the FCC will in fact renew our FCC licenses.licenses in the future. Additionally, there can be no assurance that, to the extent that any modification of our FCC licenses may be required in the future to address changed circumstances, that any related FCC applications we may file will be granted on a timely basis, or at all. If the FCC revokes or fails to renew our FCC licenses, or does not grant any future application we file to modify one or more of our licenses, or if we fail to satisfy any of the conditions of our FCC licenses, any such actioncircumstance could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, because our new satellites are not likely to be considered “technically identical” replacement satellites, we have applied to the FCC for a modification of our satellite constellation license for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, the quick-launch satellites and the next-generation satellites. Because the FCC may not act on our pending modification application prior to the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite or the quick-launch satellites, we have also filed an application for special temporary authority, or STA, to launch and operate these satellites until the FCC acts on the underlying modification application. There can be no assurance that these pending FCC applications, or any such FCC application(s), will be granted on a timely basis, or at all. Finally, our business could be adversely affected by the adoption of new laws, policies or regulations, or changes in the interpretation or application of existing laws, policies and regulations that modify the present regulatory environment.
 
Our business would be harmed if our international licensees and country representatives fail to acquire and retain all necessary regulatory approvals.
 
Our business is affected by the regulatory authorities of the countries in which we operate. Due to foreign ownership restrictions in various jurisdictions around the world, obtaining and maintaining local regulatory approval for operation of our system is the responsibility of our international licenseesand/or country representatives in each of these licensed territories. In addition, in certain countries regulatory frameworks may be rudimentary or in an early stage of development, which can make it difficult or impossible to license and operate our system in such jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that our international licensees, our country representativesand/or country representativesus will be successful in obtaining or maintaining any additional approvals that may be desirable and, if theythese efforts are not successful, we will be unable to provide service in such countries. Our inability to offer service in one or more important new markets, particularly in China or India, wouldcould have a negative impact on our ability to generate more revenue and wouldcould diminish our business prospects.
 
There are numerous risks inherent to our international operations that are beyond our control.
 
International telecommunications services are subject to country and region risks. Most of our coverage area and some of our subsidiaries are outside the UnitesUnited States. As a result, we are subject to certain risks on acountry-by-country (ororregion-by-region)region-by-region basis, including changes in domestic and foreign government regulations and telecommunications standards, licensing requirements, tariffs or taxes and other trade barriers, exchange controls, expropriation, and political and economic instability, including fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies which may make payment in U.S. dollars more expensive for foreign customers or payment in foreign


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currencies less valuable for us. Certain of these risks may be greater in developing countries or regions, where economic, political or diplomatic conditions may be significantly more volatile than those commonly experienced in the United States and other industrialized countries.
 
We do not currently maintain in-orbit or other insurance for our satellites.satellites other than with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five quick-launch satellites, which expires on June 19, 2009.
 
WeOther than with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five quick-launch satellites, we do not currently maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for our satellites to address the risk of potential systemic anomalies, failures or catastrophic events affecting the existing satellite constellation. We obtained in-orbit insurance for the Coast Guard demonstration and five quick-launch satellites for total loss or constructive total loss as defined under the terms of the policy to the extent the event giving rise to such loss occurs between launch and June 19, 2009. No claim is payable under our insurance coverage for the first satellite to suffer a total loss or constructive total loss. We do not expect to extend this policy and this insurance may not be sufficient to compensate us for the losses we may suffer due to applicable deductions and exclusions.
We may obtain launch insurance for the launch of our U.S. Coast Guard demonstration and five quick-launch satellites combined in a single mission and our next-generation satellites. However, any determination as to whether we procure insurance, including in-orbit and launch insurance, will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of insurance in the market and the cost of available insurance. We may not be able to obtain insurance at reasonable costs. Even if we obtain insurance, it may not be sufficient to compensate us for the losses we may suffer due to applicable deductions and exclusions.
The price, terms and availability of insurance have fluctuated significantly since we began offering commercial satellite services. The cost of obtaining insurance can vary as a result of either satellite failures or general conditions in the insurance industry. Insurance policies on satellites may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition to higher premiums, insurance policies may provide for higher deductibles, shorter coverage periods and additional satellite health-related policy exclusions. An uninsured failure of one or more of our satellites could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, higher premiums on insurance policies would increase our costs, thereby reducing our operating income by the amount of such increased premiums.
Even where we have obtained in-orbit insurance for a satellite, this insurance coverage will not protect us against all losses that might arise as a result of a satellite failure. Our current in-orbit insurance policies contain, and any future policies can be expected to contain, specified exclusions and material change limitations customary in the industry at the time the policy is written. These exclusions typically relate to losses resulting from acts of war, insurrection or military action, government confiscation, as well as lasers, directed energy beams, or nuclear or anti-satellite devices or radioactive contamination.
In addition, should we wish to launch a spare satellite to replace a failed operational satellite, the timing of such launch will be dependent on prior commitments made by potential suppliers of launch services to other satellite operators. Our insurance does not protect us against lost or delayed revenue, business interruption or lost business opportunities.
We do not maintain third-party liability insurance with respect to our satellites. Accordingly, we have no insurance to cover any third-party damages that may be caused by any of our satellites.
If we experience significant uninsured losses, such events could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business relies on intellectual property, some of which third parties own, and we may inadvertently infringe upon their patents and proprietary rights.
Many entities, including some of our competitors, currently (or may in the future) hold patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services related to those that we offer. We cannot assure you that we are aware of all intellectual property rights that our products may infringe upon. In general, if a court were to determine that one or more of our products infringes upon intellectual property held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products, to obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual


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property, or to redesign those products in such a way as to avoid infringing upon others’ patents. We cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain intellectual property licenses, or the availability and cost of any such licenses. To the extent that we are required to pay royalties to third parties to whom we are not currently making payments, these increased costs of doing business could negatively affect our profitability or liquidity.
If a competitor holds intellectual property rights, it may not allow us to use its intellectual property at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position.
If we become subject to unanticipated foreign tax liabilities, it could materially increase our costs.
We operate in various foreign tax jurisdictions. We believe that we have complied in all material respects with our obligations to pay taxes in these jurisdictions. However, our position is subject to review and possible challenge by the taxing authorities of these jurisdictions. If the applicable taxing authorities were to challenge successfully our current tax positions, or if there were changes in the manner in which we conduct our activities, we could become subject to material unanticipated tax liabilities. We may also become subject to additional tax liabilities as a result of changes in tax laws, which could in certain circumstances have a retroactive effect.
Risks Related to our Technology
 
We do not currently haveback-up facilities for our network control center. In the event of a general failure at our network control center, our system will be disrupted and our operations will be harmed.
 
The core control segment of our system is housed at our network controlprimary ISP providers’, data center located in Dulles,Sterling, Virginia. We currently do not haveback-up facilities for certain essential command and control functions that are performed by our network control center, and as a result, our system and business operations remain vulnerable to the possibility of a failure at our network control center. There would be a severe disruption to the functionality of our system in the event of a failure at our network control center. Although we plan to install aback-up network control center in 2008,2009, there can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the installation on a timely basis or that such aback-up network would eliminate disruption to our system in the event of a failure.
 
New satellites are subject to launch failures, delays and cost overruns, the occurrence of which can materially and adversely affect our operations.
 
Satellites are subject to certain risks related to failed or delayed launches. Launch failures result in significant delays in the deployment of satellites because of the need both to construct replacement satellites, and to obtain other launch opportunities. Launch delays can be caused by a number of factors, including delays in manufacturing satellites, preparing satellites for launch, securing appropriate launch vehicles or obtaining regulatory approvals. We intend to conduct avarious satellite launchlaunches for our next-generation satellites commencing in 2008 both2011 to replacereplenish existing satellites and to augment the existing constellation in order to expand the messaging capacity of our network and improve the service level of our network. Our intended launch which includes the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five of the six quick-launch satellites in a single mission is important to us to test and ultimately to leverage our work with AIS to resell, subject in certain circumstances to U.S. Coast Guard approval, AIS data collected by our satellites as well as to augment our satellite constellation. In addition, this launch which will supplement and ultimately replace our existing Plane A satellites is important to maintain adequate service levels and to provide additional capacity for future subscriber growth. A failure or delay or cost overrun of either our Coast Guard demonstration satellite or our quick-launch satellites could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our obligations under our contract with the U.S. Coast Guard. See “We may be in default under our contract with the U.S. Coast Guard with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite if we do not launch the satellite within the cure period or any extension thereof, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.” Any launch failures of our additional satellites could result in delays of at least six to nine months from the date of the launch failure until additional satellites under construction are completed and their launches are achieved. Such delays would have a negative impact on our future growth and would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may be in default under our contract with the U.S. Coast Guard with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite if we do not launch the satellite within the cure period or any extension thereof, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Coast Guard demonstration satellite is to be launched with our quick-launch satellites; however, due to delays with the quick-launch satellites, the launch did not occur by the December 31, 2007 deadline specified in our contract with the U.S. Coast Guard. On January 14, 2008, we received a cure notice from the U.S. Coast Guard notifying us that unless the Coast Guard demonstration satellite is launched within 90 days after receipt of the cure notice, the U.S. Coast Guard may terminate the contract for default. We believe that the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite will likely extend beyond the 90 day cure period. On March 11, 2008, we received a proposed contract modification from the U.S. Coast Guard, providing for an April 30, 2008 launch date deadline and furnishing all AIS data transmitted by AIS over our complement of AIS-equipped satellites (Coast Guard demonstration satellite and quick-launch satellites) for a period of 60 continuous days at no additional cost. The satellites are fully constructed and are undergoing testing; however, certain issues have arisen in the electromagnetic compatibility testing of the quick launch satellites that need to be resolved before launch. We are currently in discussions with the U.S. Coast Guard to extend the deadline for the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite to a mutually acceptable date. However, there can be no assurance as to whether or when a mutually satisfactory agreement for an extension of the launch deadline will be agreed to by the parties. In the event that we


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and the U.S. Coast Guard are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution regarding the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, the U.S. Coast Guard may terminate the contract for default and pursue the remedies available to it. The termination of the U.S. Coast Guard contract and the resulting liability could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our satellites have a limited operating life. If we are unable to deploy replacement satellites, our services will be harmed.
 
The majority of our first-generation satellites waswere placed into orbit beginning in 1997. The last of our first-generation satellites was launched in latebetween 1997 and 1999. Our first-generation satellites have an average operating life of approximately nine to twelve years after giving effect to certain operational changes and software updates. InOn June 19, 2008, we plan to launchlaunched five of the six quick-launch satellites together with our Coast Guard demonstration satellite in a single mission to supplement and ultimately replace our existing Plane A satellites and we plan to finance further developmentlaunch our next-generation satellites.satellites commencing in 2011. In addition to supplementing and replacing our first-generation satellites, these next-generation satellites wouldhave also expandexpanded the capacity of our communications system to meet forecasted demand as we grow our business.system. We anticipate using cash and cash equivalents on hand and funds generated from operations to pay for costs relating to future satellites.


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We are dependent on a limited number of suppliers to provide the payload, bus and launch vehicle for our quick-launch and next-generation satellites and any delay or disruption in the supply of these components and related services will adversely affect our ability to replenish our satellite constellation and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
In 2006,2008, we entered into agreementsan agreement with Orbital SciencesSierra Nevada Corporation to supply us with the payloads of our six quick-launch satellites,design and with OHB-System AG to supply the buses and related integration and launch services for these quick-launch satellites with options for two additional buses and related integration services.manufacture 18 next-generation satellites. In addition, we will need to enter into arrangements with outside suppliers to provide us with the three different components for our next-generation satellites: the payload, bus and launch vehicle.vehicles to launch these satellites. Our reliance on these suppliers for their services involves significant risks and uncertainties, including whether our suppliers will provide an adequate supply of required components of sufficient quality, will charge the agreed upon prices for the components or will perform their obligations on a timely basis. If any of our suppliers becomes financially unstable, we may have to find a new supplier. There are a limited number of suppliers for communication satellite components and related services and the lead-time required to qualify a new supplier may take several months. There are only a limited number of suppliers to launch our satellites. There is no assurance that a new supplier will be found on a timely basis, or at all, if any one of our suppliers ceases to supply their services for our satellites.satellites or cease to provide launch services.
 
If we do not find a replacement supplier on a timely basis, we may experience significant delays in the launch schedule of our Coast Guard demonstration and five quick-launch satellites which are to be launched in a single mission in 2008 and additional satellites and incur additional costs to establish an alternative supplier. Any delay in our launch schedule could adversely affect our ability to provide communications services, particularly as the health of our current satellite constellation declines and we could lose current or prospective customers as a result of service interruptions. The loss of any of our satellite suppliers or delay in our launch schedule could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations including putting us in default under our contract with the U.S. Coast Guard. See “We may be in default under our contract with the U.S. Coast Guard with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite if we do not launch the satellite within the cure period or any extension thereof, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


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Once launched and properly deployed, our satellites are subject to significant operating risks due to various types of potential anomalies.
 
Satellites utilize highly complex technology and operate in the harsh environment of space and, accordingly, are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit. These risks include malfunctions, or “anomalies”, that may occur in our satellites. Some of the principal satellite anomalies include:
 
 • Mechanical failures due to manufacturing error or defect, including:
 
 • Mechanical failures that degrade the functionality of a satellite, such as the failure of solar array panel deployment mechanisms;
 
 • Antenna failures that degrade the communications capability of the satellite;
 
 • Circuit failures that reduce the power output of the solar array panels on the satellites;
 
 • Failure of the battery cells that power the payload and spacecraft operations during daily solar eclipse periods; and
• Power system failures that result in a shut-down or loss of the satellite;
• Attitude control system failures that degrade or cause the inoperability of the satellite;
• Transmitter or receiver failures that degrade or cause the inability of the satellite to communicate with subscriber communicator units or gateway earth stations
 
 • Communications system failures that affect overall system capacity.capacity; and
• Satellite computer or processor failures that impair or cause the inoperability of the satellites.
 
 • Equipment degradation during the satellite’s lifetime, including:
 
 • Degradation of the batteries’ ability to accept a full charge;
 
 • Degradation of solar array panels due to radiation; and
 
 • General degradation resulting from operating in the harsh space environment.
 
 • Deficiencies of control or communications software, including:
 
 • Failure of the charging algorithm that may damage the satellite’s batteries;


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 • Problems with the communications and messaging servicing functions of the satellite; and
 
 • Limitations on the satellite’s digital signal processing capability that limit satellite communications capacity.
 
We have experienced, and may in the future experience, anomalies in some of the categories described above. above, including with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five quick-launch satellites. See “The ORBCOMM Communications System — System Status — Satellite Replenishment”. The successful operation of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the remaining deployed quick-launch satellites is important to us to test and ultimately to leverage our work with AIS to then resell AIS data collected by our satellites, as well as to augment our current satellite constellation. In addition, these new satellites are intended to supplement and ultimately replace our existing Plane A satellites and is important to maintain adequate service levels and to provide additional capacity for future subscriber growth. A failure of either our Coast Guard demonstration satellite or any of our remaining deployed quick-launch satellites could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the failure of a satellite that has not been fully depreciated such as the Coast Guard demonstration or a quick-launch satellite could require that we record an impairment charge reflecting the satellite’s net book value.
The effects of these anomalies include, but are not limited to, degraded communications performance, reduced power available to the satellite in sunlightand/or eclipse, battery overcharging or undercharging and limitations on satellite communications capacity. Some of these effects may be increased during periods of greater message traffic and could result in our system requiring more than one attempt to send messages before they get through to our satellites. Although these effects do not result in lost messages, they could lead to increased messaging latencies for the end-user and reduced throughput for our system. See “The ORBCOMM communications systemCommunications System — System Status — Network capacity”.Capacity” for a description of our network capacity. While we have already implemented a number of system adjustments and have. Wewe cannot assure you that these actions will succeed or adequately address the effects of any anomalies in a timely manner or at all.
 
A total of 35 satellites were launched by ORBCOMM Global L.P. and of these, a total of 2927 remain operational. Our Plane F polar satellite, one of the original prototype first generation satellites launched in 1995, was retired in April 2007 due to intermittent service. Two additional satellites (one from each of Plane B and Plane D) were retired in 2008 also due to intermittent service. The other five satellites that are not operational experienced failures early in their lifetime and the previous mission ending satellite failure affecting our system occurred in October 2000, prior to our acquisition of the satellite constellation. The absence of these sixeight satellites slightly increasescan increase system latency and slightly decreasesdecrease overall capacity, although these system performance decreases have not materially affected our business, as our business model already reflects the fact that we acquired only 30 operational satellites in 2001. Other operating risks, such as collisions with space debris, could materially affect system performance and our business. While certain software deficiencies may be corrected remotely, most, if not all, of the satellite anomalies or debris collision damage cannot be corrected once the satellites are placed in orbit. See “The ORBCOMM communications systemCommunications System — System Status — Network Capacity”Satellite Health” for a description of the operational status and anomalies that affect our satellites. We may experience additional anomalies in the future, whether of the types described


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above or arising from the failure of other systems or components, and operational redundancy may not be available upon the occurrence of such an anomaly.
All operational satellites are subject to the possibility to be impacted by space debris or another spacecraft.
Collisions with space debris or other spacecraft, could materially affect system performance and our business. Our spacecraft do not have the ability to actively maneuver to avoid potential impact by space debris or other satellites. On February 10, 2009 a satellite owned by Iridium Satellite LLC and Russia’s Cosmos collided in an orbital altitude similar to ours causing an increase in risk of space debris damaging or interfering with the operation of our satellites.
 
Technical or other difficulties with our gateway earth stations could harm our business.
 
Our system relies in part on the functionality of our gateway earth stations, some of which are owned and maintained by third parties. While we believe that the overall health of our gateway earth stations remains stable, we


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may experience technical difficulties or parts obsolescence with our gateway earth stations which may negatively impact service in the region covered by that gateway earth station. Certain problems with these gateway earth stations can reduce their availability and negatively impact the performance of our system in that region. For example, the owner of the Malaysian gateway earth station has been unable to raise sufficient capital to properly maintain this gateway earth station. We are also experiencing commercial disputes with the entities that own the gateway earth stations in JapanKorea and Korea.Kazakhstan. In addition, due to regulatory and licensing constraints in certain countries in which we operate, we are unable to wholly-own or majority-own some of the gateway earth stations in our system located outside the United States. As a result of these ownership restrictions, we rely on third parties to own and operate some of these gateway earth stations. If our relationship with these third parties deteriorates or if these third parties are unable or unwilling to bear the cost of operating or maintaining the gateway earth stations, or if there are changes in the applicable domestic regulations that require us to give up any or all of our ownership interests in any of the gateway earth stations, our control over our system could be diminished and our business could be harmed.
 
Our system could fail to perform or perform at reduced levels of service because of technological malfunctions or deficiencies or events outside of our control which would seriously harm our business and reputation.
 
Our system is exposed to the risks inherent in a large-scale, complex telecommunications system employing advanced technology. Any disruption to our services, information systems or communication networks or those of third parties into which our network connects could result in the inability of our customers to receive our services for an indeterminate period of time. Satellite anomalies and other technical and operational deficiencies of our communications system described in this Annual Report onForm 10-K could result in system failures or reduced levels of service. In addition, certain components of our system are located in foreign countries, and as a result, are potentially subject to governmental, regulatory or other actions in such countries which could force us to limit the operations of, or completely shut down, components of our system, including gateway earth stations or subscriber communicators. Any disruption to our services or extended periods of reduced levels of service could cause us to lose customers or revenue, result in delays or cancellations of future implementations of our products and services, result in failure to attract customers or result in litigation, customer service or repair work that would involve substantial costs and distract management from operating our business. The failure of any of the diverse and dispersed elements of our system, including our satellites, our network control center, our gateway earth stations, our gateway control centers or our subscriber communicators, to function and coordinate as required could render our system unable to perform at the quality and capacity levels required for success. Any system failures or extended reduced levels of service could reduce our sales, increase costs or result in liability claims and seriously harm our business.
 
Risks Related to an Investment in our Common Stock
 
The price of our common stock has been, and may continue to be, volatile and your investment may decline in value.
 
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses. Further, our common stock has a limited trading history. Factors that could affect the trading price of our common stock include:
 
 • liquidity of the market in, and demand for, our common stock;
 
 • changes in expectations as to our future financial performance or changes in financial or subscriber growth estimates, if any, of market analysts;


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 • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations, including quarterly results;
 
 • our financial or subscriber growth performance failing to meet the expectations of market analysts or investors;
 
 • our ability to raise additional funds to meet our capital needs;


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 • the outcome of any litigation by or against us, including any judgments favorable or adverse to us;
 
 • conditions and trends in the end markets we serve and changes in the estimation of the size and growth rate of these markets;
 
 • announcements relating to our business or the business of our competitors;
 
 • investor perception of our prospects, our industry and the markets in which we operate;
 
 • changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;
 
 • loss of one or more of our significant customers;
 
 • changes in governmental regulation;
 
 • changes in market valuation or earnings of our competitors;
• investor perception of and confidence in capital markets and equity investments; and
 
 • general economic conditions.
 
In addition, the stock market in general, and The Nasdaq Global Market and the market for telecommunications companies in particular, have experienced and continue to experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies affected. These broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.
 
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securitiesclass-action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation has been instituted against us and could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could materially harm our business, financial condition, future results and cash flow.
 
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
 
The trading market for our common stock will continue to depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. In 2008, two securities firms ceased providing research coverage of our Company and our business. If we do not continue to maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
 
We are subject to anti-takeover provisions which could affect the price of our common stock.
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that could make it difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions do not permit actions by our stockholders by written consent and require the approval of the holders of at least 662/3% of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote to amend certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. In addition, these provisions include procedural requirements relating to stockholder meetings and stockholder proposals that could make stockholder actions more difficult. Our board of directors is classified into three classes of directors serving staggered, three-year terms and may be removed only for cause. Any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled only by the vote of the majority of directors then in office. Our board of directors have the right to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of the common stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by our board of directors. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more for our


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outstanding common stock. Although we believe these provisions provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid


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by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and may delay or prevent an acquisition of our company.
If persons engage in short sales of our common stock, the price of our common stock may decline.
Selling short is a technique used by a stockholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of common stock could cause even greater declines in the price of our common stock due to the number of additional shares available in the market, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our common stock. Holders of our securities could, therefore, experience a decline in the value of their investment as a result of short sales of our common stock.
 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2.  Properties
 
We currently sublease approximately 7,000 and 1,400 square feet of office space in Fort Lee, New Jersey and Tokyo, Japan and lease approximately 25,000 and 6,00032,000 square feet of office space in Dulles, Virginia. In addition, we currently own and operate sixseven gateway earth stations at the following locations, four situated on owned real property and twothree on real property subject to long-term leases:
 
     
Gateway Real Property Owned or Leased Lease Expiration
 
St. John’s, Arizona Owned n/a
Arcade, New York Owned n/a
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles Owned n/a
Rutherglen Vic, Australia Owned n/a
Ocilla, Georgia Leased March 12, 2013
Kitaura-town, JapanLeasedMonth to Month
East Wenatchee, Washington Leased May 4, 2008Month to Month
 
We currently own or lease real property sufficient for our business operations, although we may need to purchase or lease additional real property in the future.
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings
 
We discuss certain legal proceedings pending against the Company in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and refer you to that discussion for important information concerning those legal proceedings, including the basis for such actions and relief sought. See Note 1517 to the consolidated financial statements for this discussion.
 
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders
 
None.


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PART II
 
Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Price of our Common Stock
 
Our common stock has traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ORBC” since our initial public offering on November 3, 2006. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock..
 
The following sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock, as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market from November 3, 2006January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007:2008:
 
                
 High Low  High Low 
Year ended December 31, 2008
        
Quarter ended December 31, 2008 $5.14  $1.29 
Quarter ended September 30, 2008 $6.86  $4.20 
Quarter ended June 30, 2008 $6.87  $4.70 
Quarter ended March 31, 2008 $6.38  $4.18 
Year ended December 31, 2007
                
Quarter ended December 31, 2007 $9.46  $5.99  $9.46  $5.99 
Quarter ended September 30, 2007 $17.13  $7.11  $17.13  $7.11 
Quarter ended June 30, 2007 $17.41  $11.45  $17.41  $11.51 
Quarter ended March 31, 2007 $14.23  $8.80  $14.23  $8.80 
Year ended December 31, 2006
        
Fourth Quarter (beginning on November 3, 2006) $11.10  $7.03 
 
As of March 11, 20086 2009 , there were 835557 holders of record of our common stock.
 
Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering
 
On November 2, 2006, the SEC declared effective our Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), relating to our initial public offering. After deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other offering costs, our net proceeds were approximately $68.3 million. We intend to use the remaining net proceeds from our initial public offering to provide working capital and fund capital expenditures, primarily related to the deployment of additional satellites, which will beare comprised of our quick-launch and next-generation satellites. As of December 31, 2007,2008, we have used $18.4$58.6 million for such purposes. Pending such uses, we are investing the remaining net proceeds in short-term interest bearing cash equivalents.
 
Exercise of Warrants
 
During the year ended December 31, 2007,2008, we issued 225,900106,146 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants at per share exercise prices ofranging from $2.33 to $4.26.$3.38. We received gross proceeds of $0.5$0.3 million from the exercise of these warrants. In addition, we issued 704,04246,643 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of warrants to purchase 927,97986,123 common shares with per share exercise prices ofranging from $2.33 to $4.26.$3.38.
 
Dividend Payments
 
Common stock:  We have never declared or paid cash dividends on shares of our common stock.
 
Dividend Policy
 
Our board of directors currently intends to retain all available funds and future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business and does not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Our board of directors may, from time to time, examine our dividend policy and may, in its absolute discretion, change such policy.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
 
Reference is made to “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement for our 20082009 annual meeting of stockholders, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.


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Stock Performance Graph
 
The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock between November 3, 2006 (the date of our initial public offering) and December 31, 2007,2008, with the cumulative total result of (i) the Russell 2000 Index and (ii) the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, over the same period. This graph assumes the investment of $100 on November 3, 2006 in our common stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, and assumes the reinvestment of dividends, if any. The graph assumes the initial value of our common stock on November 3, 2006 was the closing sales price of $7.75 per share.
 
The comparisons shown in the graph below are based on historical data. We caution that the stock price performance show in the graph below is not necessarily indicative of, nor is it intended to forecast, the potential future performance of our common stock. Information used in the graph was obtained from Research Data Group, a source believed to be reliable, but we are not responsible for any errors or omissions in such information.
 
COMPARISON OF 1426 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among ORBCOMM Inc., The Russell 2000 Index
And The NASDAQ Telecommunications Index
 
 
*$100 invested on11/3/06 in stock or10/31/06 in index-including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
 
                        
  11/06   12/06   12/07   11/06  12/06  12/07  12/08
ORBCOMM Inc.
  $100.00   $113.81   $81.16   $100.00   $113.81   $81.16   $27.87 
Russell 2000
   100.00    102.97    101.36    100.00    102.97    101.36    67.11 
NASDAQ Telecommunications
   100.00    108.30    112.16    100.00    108.16    111.43    64.58 
                        


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Item 6.  Selected Consolidated Financial Data
 
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read together with the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. We have derived the consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 20052006 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 20072008 and 20062007 from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. We have derived the consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 20042005 and 20032004 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006, 2005 2004 and 20032004 from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations.
 
                                        
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
 2007 2006(1) 2005 2004 2003  2008 2007 2006(1) 2005 2004 
 (In thousands, except per share data)  (In thousands, except per share data) 
Service revenues $17,717  $11,561  $7,804  $6,479  $5,143  $23,812  $17,717  $11,561  $7,804  $6,479 
Product sales  10,435   12,959   7,723   4,387   1,938   6,280   10,435   12,959   7,723   4,387 
                      
Total revenues  28,152   24,520   15,527   10,866   7,081   30,092   28,152   24,520   15,527   10,866 
                      
Costs and expenses:                                        
Costs of services  7,990   8,714   6,223   5,884   6,102   9,800   7,990   8,714   6,223   5,884 
Costs of product sales  10,078   12,092   6,459   4,921   1,833   6,110   10,078   12,092   6,459   4,921 
Selling, general and administrative  17,687   15,731   9,344   8,646   6,577   18,927   17,687   15,731   9,344   8,646 
Product development  1,060   1,814   1,341   778   546   1,122   1,060   1,814   1,341   778 
Gains on customer claims settlements  (1,368)            
                      
Total costs and expenses  36,815   38,351   23,367   20,229   15,058   34,591   36,815   38,351   23,367   20,229 
                      
Loss from operations  (8,663)  (13,831)  (7,840)  (9,363)  (7,977)  (4,499)  (8,663)  (13,831)  (7,840)  (9,363)
Other income (expense), net  5,074   2,616   (1,258)  (3,026)  (5,340)  558   5,074   2,616   (1,258)  (3,026)
Pre-control earnings of consolidated subsidiary  (128)            
Minority interest  (471)            
                      
Net loss $(3,589) $(11,215) $(9,098) $(12,389) $(13,317) $(4,540) $(3,589) $(11,215) $(9,098) $(12,389)
                      
Net loss applicable to common shares(2)
 $(3,589) $(29,646) $(14,248)  (14,535)    
Net loss applicable to common shares $(4,540) $(3,589) $(29,646)  (14,248)  (14,535)
                    
Net loss per common share:                                        
Basic and diluted $(0.09) $(2.80) $(2.51)  (2.57)     $(0.11) $(0.09) $(2.80)  (2.51)  (2.57)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                                        
Basic and diluted  39,706   10,601   5,683   5,658       41,984   39,706   10,601   5,683   5,658 
 
                                        
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
 2007 2006(1) 2005 2004 2003  2008 2007 2006(1) 2005 2004 
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents $115,587  $62,139  $68,663  $3,316  $78  $75,370  $115,587  $62,139  $68,663  $3,316 
Marketable securities     38,850                  38,850       
Working capital (deficit)  106,716   100,887   65,285   8,416   (19,389)
Working capital  65,236   106,716   100,887   65,285   8,416 
Satellite network and other equipment, net  49,704   29,131   7,787   5,243   3,263   93,290   49,704   29,131   7,787   5,243 
Intangible assets, net  5,572   7,058   4,375   317    
Intangible assets,net  4,086   5,572   7,058   4,375    
Total assets  181,823   148,093   89,316   20,888   7,198   191,367   181,823   148,093   89,316   20,888 
Notes payable              12,107 
Note payable — related party  1,170   879   594         1,244   1,170   879   594    
Convertible redeemable preferred stock        112,221   38,588               112,221   38,588 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit) (membership interests)  160,849   128,712   (42,654)  (28,833)  (15,547)
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)  161,605   160,849   128,712   (42,654)  (28,833)


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(1)On November 8, 2006, we completed our initial public offering of 9,230,800 shares of common stock at a price of $11.00 per share. After deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses we


39


received proceeds of approximately $89.5 million. From these net proceeds we paid accumulated and unpaid dividends totaling $7.5 million to the holders of Series B preferred stock, a $3.6 million contingent purchase price payment relating to the acquisition of our interest in Satcom International Group plc and $10.1 million to the holders of Series B preferred stock in connection with obtaining consents required for the conversion of the Series B preferred stock into common stock. All outstanding shares of Series A and B preferred stock automatically converted into 21,383,318 shares of common stock.
(2)The net loss applicable to common shares for the year ended December 31, 2004 is based on our net loss for the period from February 17, 2004, the date on which the members of ORBCOMM LLC contributed all of their outstanding membership interests in exchange for shares of our common stock, through December 31, 2004. Net loss attributable to the period from January 1, 2004 to February 16, 2004 (prior to the Company becoming a corporation and issuing its common shares), has been excluded from the net loss applicable to common shares. As a result, net loss per common share for 2004 is not comparable to net loss per common share for subsequent periods.
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes which appear elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. This discussion contains forward- lookingforward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk“Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K.
 
Organization
 
ORBCOMM LLC was organized as a Delaware limited liability company on April 4, 2001 and on April 23, 2001, we acquired substantially all of the non-cash assets and assumed certain liabilities of ORBCOMM Global L.P. and its subsidiaries, which had filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The assets acquired from ORBCOMM Global L.P. and its subsidiaries consisted principally of the in-orbit satellites and supporting U.S. ground infrastructure equipment that we own today. At the same time, ORBCOMM LLC also acquired the FCC licenses required to own and operate the communications system from a subsidiary of Orbital Sciences Corporation, which was not in bankruptcy, in a related transaction. Prior to April 23, 2001, ORBCOMM LLC did not have any operating activities. We were formed as a Delaware corporation in October 2003 and on February 17, 2004, the members of ORBCOMM LLC contributed all of their outstanding membership interests in ORBCOMM LLC to us in exchange for shares of our common stock, representing ownership interests in us equal in proportion to their prior ownership interest in ORBCOMM LLC. As a result of, and immediately following the contribution, ORBCOMM LLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of ours. We refer to this transaction as the “Reorganization”.
 
Overview
 
We operate the onlya global commercial wireless messaging system optimized for narrowband communications. Our system consists of a global network of 2927 low-Earth orbit, or LEO, satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure. Our two-way communications system enables our customers and end-users, which include large and established multinational businesses and government agencies, to track, monitor, control and communicate cost-effectively with fixed and mobile assets located anywhere in the world. In 2008, one of our Plane D satellites, which had limited availability and a battery anomaly preventing nighttime operation, is no longer providing regular operational service although it may continue to provide operational service on a limited basis. The remaining five Plane D satellites have been repositioned to minimize coverage gaps that impact system latency and overall capacity. In addition, one of our Plane B satellites is no longer providing operational service. The remaining seven Plane B satellites have been repositioned to minimize coverage gaps that impact system latency and overall capacity. Our Plane F polar satellite, one of the original prototype first generation satellites launched in 1995, was retired in April 2007, due to intermittent service, without any material impact on our service. Prior to such retirements, a failure occurred in October 2000, prior to our acquisition of the satellite constellation in 2001, when a satellite experienced a processor malfunction. These failures are less than anticipated failure rates and demonstrate the benefits of a distributed satellite system architecture like ours. We do not expect the absence of these satellites to materially affect its business. These satellites are fully depreciated.
In 2007, we began providing terrestrial-based cellular communication services through a re-seller agreementreseller agreements with a major cellular wireless provider.providers. These services commenced in the third quarter of 2007 and revenues from such services were not significant in 2007. In addition, a re-seller agreement was signed with a second major cellular wireless provider in the fourth quarter of 2007 and services with this provider are expected to commence in the first half of 2008. These terrestrial-based communication services enable our customers


43


who have higher bandwidth requirements to receive and send messages from communication devices based on terrestrial-based technologies using the cellular provider’s wireless network as well as from dual-mode devices combining our satellite subscriber communicators with devices for terrestrial-based technologies. As a result, our customers are now able to integrate in tointo their applications a terrestrial communications device that will allow them to add messages, including data intensive messaging from the cellular provider’sproviders’ wireless networks.network.


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Our products and services enable our customers and end-users to enhance productivity, reduce costs and improve security through a variety of commercial, government, and emerging homeland security applications. We enable our customers and end-users to achieve these benefits using a single global technology standard formachine-to-machine and telematic, or M2M, data communications. Our customers have made significant investments in developing ORBCOMM-based applications. Examples of assets that are connected through our M2M data communications system include trucks, trailers, railcars, containers, heavy equipment, fluid tanks, utility meters, and pipeline monitoring equipment, marine vessels, and oil wells. Our customers include original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, such as Caterpillar, Inc.,Hitachi, Komatsu Ltd., Hitachiand Volvo Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. and the Volvo Group,Equipment, IVARs, such as GE, VARs, such as Fleet Management Services, XATA Corporation and American Innovations, Ltd., and government agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
InThe recent global economic conditions, including concerns about a global economic recession, along with unprecedented credit and capital constraints in the second quartercapital markets and deteriorations of 2007,financial institutions have created a challenging economic environment leading to a lack of customer confidence. Our worldwide operations and performance depend significantly on global economic conditions and their impact on our customers decisions to purchase our services and products. Economic conditions have worsened significantly in many parts of the world, and may remain weak or even deteriorate further in the foreseeable future. The worldwide economic turmoil may have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results, and we revisedmay be unable to predict the scope and magnitude of its effects on our definitionbusiness. VARs and end users in any of billableour target markets, including in commercial transportation and heavy equipment, have and may experience unexpected fluctuations in demand for their products, as our end users alter purchasing activities in response to this economic volatility. Our customers may change or scale back product development efforts, the roll-out of service applications, product purchases or other sales activities that affect purchases of our products and services, and this could adversely affect the amount and timing of revenue for the long-term future, leaving us with limited visibility in the revenue we can anticipate in any given period. These economic conditions also affect our third party manufacturers, and if they are unable to obtain the necessary capital to operate their business, this may also impact their ability to provide the subscriber communicators that our end-users need, or may adversely affect their ability to mean subscriber communicators which includes terrestrial units that are shipped and activated for usage and billing at the requestprovide timely services or to make timely deliveries of the customer, without forecasting a timeframe for when individual units will be generating usage and be billing. In the past, we reported billable subscriber communicators defined as subscriber communicators activated and currently billingproducts or expectedservices to be billing within 30 to 90 days.our end-users.
 
UnderIn the revised definitionfourth quarter of billable subscriber communicators,2008, we experienced a slowing of demand by several VARs across our core markets. It is currently unclear as to what overall effect these economic conditions and uncertainties will have on our existing customers and core markets, and future business with existing and new customers in our current and future markets.
As of December 31, 2007,2008, we had approximately 351,000460,000 billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications system compared to approximately 225,000351,000 billable subscriber communicators as of December 31, 2006,2007, an increase of approximately 56.2%31.0%.
Satellite replenishment
On June 19, 2008, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five quick-launch satellites were successfully launched. Due to delays associated with the construction of the final quick-launch satellite, we are retaining it for future deployment. Each of the satellites successfully separated from the launch vehicle in the proper orbit and is undergoing in-orbit testing and final positioning. The majority of in-orbit testing of the payload subsystems has been completed to verify proper operation of the subscriber links, gateway links and AIS payload functionality. As a result of on-going in-orbit testing of these satellites, our satellite providers are investigating the lower than nominal gateway transmission power on one satellite, lower than expected nominal subscriber transmission on one satellite, intermittent computer resets on one satellite and outages to the reaction wheel components of the attitude control system on each of the satellites. The satellite with the lower than expected subscriber transmission has been


44


reprogrammed to operate in a mode which utilizes the gateway transmission for subscriber messaging traffic. The satellite with intermittent flight computer resets is being reprogrammed to use a redundant receiver to perform the flight computer functions. Two satellites have experienced unrecovered outages of the redundant reaction wheels and four of the new satellites have experienced an unrecovered outage to both a redundant and a non-redundant reaction wheel which results in the satellites not pointing towards the sun and the earth as expected. Unless resolved, the result of this pointing error would be reduced power generation and reduced communications capabilities. While OHB the satellite bus manufacturer continues its efforts to correct and develop alternate operational procedures to satisfactorily mitigate the effect of these anomalies, there can be no assurance in this regard. We are unable to quantify the impact, if any, that these anomalies will have on the expected useful life and communication capabilities of the satellites until the in-orbit testing is completed and more information about the root cause of the anomalies becomes available.
On February 22, 2009, one quick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite by both our ground control systems and the ground control systems of the company providing in-orbit monitoring and testing, KB Polyot-Joint Stock Company, a provider of sub-contracting services to OHB. We continue our efforts to re-establish contact with the satellite, but to date have not been successful. After consultation with OHB and our own engineers, we believe that after such an extended period of no communication with the satellite, it is unlikely that the satellite will be recovered. We conducted post-loss data analysis to better understand the causes of the power systems anomaly and resulting loss of contact with the satellite. The analysis is focused on power system components that may have contributed to the power system anomaly. The otherquick-launch satellites have experienced outages of redundant power system components that are being investigated. Both we and OHB will continue to conduct this post-loss data analysis to determine the root cause and establish operational procedures, if any, to mitigate the risk of a similar anomaly from occurring on the remaining four quick-launch satellites, which are of the same design or the Coast Guard demonstration satellite which is of a similar design. During this process, we will continue the year ended December 31, 2007, we added approximately 126,000 net billable subscriber communicatorsin-orbit testing of the remaining quick-launch and Coast Guard demonstration satellites thereby extending the time before these satellites can be placed in operational service. We are unable to quantify the likelihood that this anomaly will occur, if at all, on the other quick-launch or Coast Guard demonstration satellites or the impact, if any, that this potential anomaly will have on the expected useful life and communications capabilities of these satellites until the in-orbit testing is completed and more information about the root cause of the anomaly becomes available.
The loss of one quick-launch satellite is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our current communications system comparedservice as the satellite was only in the testing phase and not in regular operational service. Furthermore, we do not expect the loss of this one satellite from the orbital plane of six satellites to have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide communications service in the future, based on a preliminary post-loss engineering analysis. Each of the quick-launch and Coast Guard demonstration satellites is equipped with an AIS payload and we believe the loss of one satellite will not adversely impact our current AIS service in any material respect, as the other satellites provide redundant capabilities to the AIS data service.
We have in-orbit insurance that under certain circumstances covers the total loss or constructive total loss of the Coast Guard demonstration and quick-launch satellites. The in-orbit insurance is subject to certain exclusions including a deductible under which no claim is payable under the policy in respect of the first satellite to suffer a constructive total loss or total loss. We are working with its insurance carriers to determine to what extent, if any, the in-orbit insurance will offset the impairment in value resulting from the loss of the quick-launch satellite or otherwise result in insurance proceeds arising from the disclosed anomalies on the Coast Guard demonstration and remaining quick-launch satellites.
An impairment charge will be recognized in the quarter ending March 31, 2009 with respect to one of the quick-launch satellites as a result of our inability to recover the satellite after the loss of contact with the satellite. We estimate that a non-cash impairment charge to write-off the cost of the satellite of approximately 112,000 net billable subscriber communicators added during$7.0 million will be reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements in the year ended Decemberquarter ending March 31, 2006. 2009. This amount is estimated based on currently available information and is subject to change, although we do not presently expect that the actual impairment charge will be materially different than the estimated impairment charge described above. No amount of this impairment charge represents a cash expenditure and we do not expect that any amount of this impairment charge will result in any future cash expenditures.


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These satellites will be positioned to augment our existing constellation, which, upon successful completion of in-orbit testing, would increase our satellites in service to 32 and provide additional capacity and improved message delivery speeds for current and future users. In addition, these satellites are equipped with AIS payloads enabling them to receive and report AIS transmissions to be used for ship tracking and other navigational activities.
ORBCOMM Japan
On March 25, 2008, we received a 37% equity interest in ORBCOMM Japan, which was accounted for as an investment in affiliates at March 31, 2008. ORBCOMM Japan’s results of operations were not significant for the period from March 25, 2008 through March 31, 2008. On May 15, 2008, we received an additional 14% equity interest in Japan and, as a result, our ownership interest increased to 51%. On June 9, 2008, we entered into an agreement with the minority stockholder, which terminated its substantive participatory rights in the governance of ORBCOMM Japan and as a result, we obtained the controlling interest in ORBCOMM Japan.
We believe thatconsolidated the results of ORBCOMM Japan as though the controlling interest was acquired on April 1, 2008 and therefore deducted $0.1 million of ORBCOMM Japan’s earnings for the period prior to June 9, 2008 (the date we acquired our target marketscontrolling interest) in commercial transportation, heavy equipment, fixed asset monitoring, marine vessel, consumer transportation, and government and homeland security markets are significant and growing.our consolidated statement of operations. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
 
EBITDA
 
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest income (expense), provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA is useful to our management and investors in evaluating our operating performance because it is one of the primary measures used by us to evaluate the economic productivity of our operations, including our ability to obtain and maintain our customers, our ability to operate our business effectively, the efficiency of our employees and the profitability associated with their performance; it also helps our management and investors to meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period on a consistent basis by removing the impact of our financing transactions and the depreciation and amortization impact of capital investments from our operating results. In addition, our management uses EBITDA in presentations to our board of directors to enable it to have the same measurement of operating performance used by management and for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget.
 
EBITDA is not a performance measure calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. While we consider EBITDA to be an important measure of operating performance, it should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, net loss or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different than EBITDA measures presented by other companies.
 
The following table reconciles our net loss to EBITDA for the periods shown:
 
                        
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Net loss $(3,589) $(11,215) $(9,098) $(4,540) $(3,589) $(11,215)
Interest income  (5,258)  (2,582)  (66)  (1,599)  (5,258)  (2,582)
Interest expense(a)  209   237   308   199   209   237 
Depreciation and amortization  2,415   2,373   1,982   3,236   2,415   2,373 
              
EBITDA $(6,223) $(11,187) $(6,874) $(2,704) $(6,223) $(11,187)
              
 
EBITDA in 2008 improved by $3.5 million over 2007 including $1.2 million from ORBCOMM Japan. This improvement was due to an increase in net service revenues of $6.1 million, offset by increases in operating expenses of $0.9 million, foreign exchange currency losses of $0.8 million and minority interest and pre-control earnings of ORBCOMM Japan of $0.6 million from April 1, 2008. Operating expenses increased in 2008 primarily due to an increase in facility costs of $0.7 million and $1.0 million from ORBCOMM Japan. These increases were
(a)Includes amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount of approximately $31 in 2005.


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offset by a gain of $1.4 million primarily from the settlement of claims against ORBCOMM Japan and a $0.3 million reduction in operating expenses associated with an asset purchase option.
 
EBITDA in 2007 improved by $5.0 million over 2006. This improvement was due to an increase in service revenues of $6.1 million offset by an increase in operating expenses of $0.5 million. Operating expenses increased in 2007 mostly due to increases in stock-based compensation of $0.5 million.
 
EBITDA in 2006 decreased by $4.3 million over 2005. This decrease was due to an increase in operating expenses of $9.3 million to support the growth of the business, which was partially offset by higher net service revenues of $3.8 million and a higher gross profit from product sales of $1.4 million. Operating expenses increased due to an increase in staffing as we prepared to become a public company, an increase in stock-based compensation of $3.7 million resulting from the granting of restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights in October 2006, litigation expenses and consulting fees related to preparing for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Revenues
 
We derive product revenues primarily from sales of subscriber communicators to our resellers (i.e., our VARs, IVARs, international licensees and country representatives) and direct customers, as well as other products, such as subscriber communicator peripherals (antennas, cables and connector kits).other equipment such as gateway earth stations and gateway control centers to customers. During the third quarter of 2007, we began selling cellular wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS, (for our terrestrial-communication services) to our resellers and direct customers. The revenues from these services were not significant in 2007. We also recognize revenues upon the installation of gateway earth stations.
 
We derive service revenues from our resellers and direct customers from utilization of satellite subscriber communicators on our communications system and the reselling of airtime from the utilization of terrestrial-based subscriber communicators using SIMS on the cellular provider’s wireless network.networks. These service revenues generally consist of a one-time activation fee for each subscriber communicator and SIMS activated for use on our communications system and monthly usage fees. Usage fees that we charge our customers are based upon the number, size and frequency of data transmitted by the customer and the overall number of subscriber communicators and SIMS activated by each customer. Revenues for usage fees from currently billing subscriber communicators and SIMS are recognized on an accrual basis, as services are rendered, or on a cash basis, if collection from the customer is not reasonably assured at the time the service is provided. Usage fees charged to our resellers and direct customers are charged primarily at wholesale rates based on the overall number of subscriber communicators activated by them and the total amount of data transmitted. For one international licensee customer, we charge usage fees as a percentage of the international licensee’s revenues. Service revenues also includeincludes AIS data transmissions, services to the USCG (described below) and a one-time royalty fee from third parties for the use of our proprietary communications protocol, which enables subscriber communicators to connect to our M2M data communications system and fees from providing engineering, technical and management support services to customers.
 
During 2004, we entered into an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard,USCG, to design, develop, launch and operate a single satellite in connectionequipped with the Conceptcapability to receive, process and forward AIS data (the “Concept Validation Project.Project”). Under the terms of the agreement, title to the Concept Validation Project demonstration satellite remains with us, however the U.S. Coast Guard will beUSCG is granted a non-exclusive, royalty free license to use the intellectual property related to the designs, processes and procedures developed under the contract. However, a fee will be charged to the U.S. Coast Guard for data delivered under the agreement.agreement in connection with any of our future satellites that are AIS enabled. We are permitted under the agreement, and intend, to use the Coast GuardConcept Validation Project demonstration satellite to provide services to other customers, subject to receipt of a modification of our current license or special temporary authority from the FCC.customers. The agreement provides for post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services to be provided by us to the U.S. Coast GuardUSCG for an initial term of 14 months. At its option, the U.S. Coast GuardUSCG may elect to receive post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services for up to an additional 18 months subsequent to the initial term. The deliverables under the agreement do not qualify as separate units of accounting and as a result, revenues from the agreement will be recognized ratably commencing upon the launch of the demonstration satellite (expected in 2008) over the expected life of the customer relationship.
As a result of delays, in February 2007, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a unilateral modification to our contract setting a definitive launch date of July 2, 2007 with respect to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite. On September 13, 2007, we and the U.S. Coast Guard entered into an Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract amending the agreement to extend the definitive launch date to December 31, 2007. In consideration for


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agreeing to extend the launch date, we will provide up to 200 hours of additional technical support for up to 14 months after the launch date at no cost and reduce the U.S. Coast Guard’s cost for the post-launch maintenance option and for certain usage options.
The Coast Guard demonstration satellite is to be launched with our quick-launch satellites; however, due to delays with the quick-launch satellites, the launch did not occur by December 31, 2007. On January 14, 2008, we received a cure notice from the U.S. Coast Guard notifying us that unless the Coast Guard demonstration satellite is launched within 90 days after receipt of the cure notice, the U.S. Coast Guard may terminate the contract for default. We believe that the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite will likely extend beyond the 90 day cure period. On March 11, 2008, we received a proposed contract modification from the U.S. Coast Guard, providing for an April 30, 2008 launch date deadline and furnishing all AIS data transmitted by AIS over our complement of AIS-equipped satellites (Coast Guard demonstration satellite and quick-launch satellites) for a period of 60 continuous days at no cost. The satellites are fully constructed and are undergoing testing; however, certain issues have arisen in the electromagnetic compatibility testing of the quick launch satellites that need to be resolved before launch. We are currently in discussions with the U.S. Coast Guard to extend the deadline for the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite to a mutually acceptable date. However, there can be no assurance as to whether or when a mutually satisfactory agreement for an extension of the launch deadline will be agreed to by the parties. In the event that we and the U.S. Coast Guard are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution regarding the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, the U.S. Coast Guard may terminate the contract and pursue the remedies available to it. The Company has indemnification rights against the launch services provider for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite in the event the launch services contract is terminated for default from and against any and all claims, demands, assessments and all liabilities and costs related thereto for which the Company becomes liable, including but not limited to any assessment of damagesand/or reprocurement costs by the United States Government.
 
Costs and expenses
 
We own and operate a 29-satellite27-satellite constellation, six of the fifteen gateway earth stations and two of the four gateway control centers. Satellite-based communications systems are typically characterized by high initial capital expenditures and relatively low marginal costs for providing service. Because we acquired substantially all of our existing satellite and network assets from ORBCOMM Global L.P. for a fraction of their original cost in a bankruptcy court-approved sale, we have benefited from lower amortization of capital costs than if the assets were acquired at ORBCOMM Global L.P.’s original cost. Our current satellites became fully depreciated during the fourth quarter of 2006. In 2008, as discussed above, under “— Overview — Revenues”, we plan on launchingplaced the Coast Guard demonstration satellite with five quick-launch satellites in a single mission.service. This increased equipment cost, reflected at full value, along with our planned acquisition of additional gateway earth stations and gateway control centers will cause our depreciation expense, a component of cost of services, to increase relative to the depreciation of our current communications system.


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We currently anticipate that when additionalthe four quick-launch satellites are placed into service after in-orbit testing they will be depreciated over a period of ten years (other than the Coast Guard demonstration satellite which willis being be depreciated over six years), representing the estimated operational lives of the satellites.
 
We incur engineering expenses associated with the operation of our communications system and the development and support of new applications, as well as sales, marketing and administrative expenses related to the operation of our business. As of December 31, 2007,2008, we have 96108 employees and we do not expect a significant increase in 2008.2009.
 
Capital expenditures
 
The majority of our current fleet of satellites was put in service in the late 1990s and has an estimated operating life of approximately nine to twelve years. We planAs discussed above, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five of the six quick-launch satellites were successfully launched to launch additional satellites to supplement and ultimately replace our current fleet in order to continue to provide our communications servicesfleet. Each of the satellites successfully separated from the launch vehicle in the future.proper orbit and is undergoing in-orbit testing and positioning. In February 2009, one quick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite. We believe it is unlikely that the satellite will be recovered and accordingly, we will record a non-cash impairment charge to write-off the cost of the satellite of approximately $7.0 million in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ending March 31, 2009. For the year ended 2008, we spent $40.3 million on capital expenditures, of which $1.4 million was for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, $8.7 million was for the quick-launch and $26.6��million for the next-generation satellites. For the year ended 2007, we spent $20.0 million on capital expenditures, of which $0.5 million was for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, and $16.1 million was for the quick-launch and next-generation satellites. For the year ended


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2006, we spent, $22.4 million on capital expenditures, of which, $17.4 was for the quick-launch and next-generation satellites and for the year ended December 31, 2005 we spent, $4.1 million on capital expenditures of which $3.5 million was for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite.satellites.
 
Our current intention is to replenish our constellation in a number of phases. First, we are under contract with the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct a demonstration test to validate the ability of an ORBCOMM satellite to receive AIS signals from marine vessels over 300 tons. The satellite is in the final integration and test phase which we intend to launch with five of our six “quick-launch” satellites together in 2008 in a single mission to supplement our Plane A satellites with slightly upgraded communication capability compared to our current first generation satellites. Due to delays associated with the construction of the final quick-launch satellite, we intend to retain it for future deployment. Finally, weWe intend to launch our next-generation satellites with increased communications capabilities with the first of several launches commencing in 2010. We have started the procurement activities for the next-generation satellites and are planning to award the next-generation satellite and launch services contract in 2008.
2011. Through a series of launches, we intend to replenish the existing constellation of satellites, which depending on the capabilities of the replacement satellites, which may require fewer satellites than we currently have. Flexibility in the number of satellites per launch, the number of satellites inserted into each plane and target plane will allow us to modify our plans within just a few months before launch. In addition, we intend to requirehave required our satellite manufacturersmanufacturer for our next-generation satellites to include options forto order additional satellites that can be launched on an accelerated schedule if the market demands such an increase or if lower latencies are required or to mitigate a launch failure.
 
Since 2002, we have implemented several operational changes and software demonstration updates that we believe have enhanced the expected life of the satellites. The majority of these changes focus on extending the life of the primary life limiting component — the nickel hydrogen batteries — which power the satellites.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, costs of revenues, accounts receivable, satellite network and other equipment, capitalized development costs, intangible assets, debt issuance costs and debt discount, convertible redeemable preferred stock, valuation of deferred tax assets, uncertain tax positions and the value of securities underlying stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from our estimates and could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant estimates and judgments in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.


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Revenue recognition
 
We recognize revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Our revenue recognition policy requires us to make significant judgments regarding the probability of collection of the resulting accounts receivable balance based on prior history and the creditworthiness of our customers. In instances where collection is not reasonably assured, revenue is recognized when we receive cash from the customer.
 
Revenues generated from the sale of satellite subscriber communicators, SIMS and other products are either recognized when the products are shipped or when customers accept the products, depending on the specific contractual terms. Sales of satellite subscriber communicators and SIMS and other items are not subject to return and title and risk of loss pass to the customer at the time of shipment. Sales of SIMS are subject to return and title and risk of loss pass to the customer at the time of shipment as we do not have a sufficient historical experience which to make a


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reasonable estimate of SIMS returns that will occur, revenue on the sales of SIMS is deferred until the return privilege has substantially expired. Sales of subscriber communicators and SIMS are primarily to VARs and IVARsresellers and are not bundled with service arrangements. Revenues from sales of gateway earth stations and related products are recognized only upon installation, customer acceptance and when collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenues from the activation of subscriber communicators and SIMS are initially recorded as deferred revenues and are, thereafter, recognized ratably over the term of the agreement with the customer, generally three years. Revenues generated from monthly usage and administrative fees and engineering services are recognized when the services are rendered. Revenues generated from royalties under our subscriber communicator manufacturing agreements are recognized when we issue to a third party manufacturer upon request a unique serial number to be assigned to each unit manufactured by such third party manufacturer.
 
Amounts received priorUnder of our agreement with the USCG with respect to the performanceConcept Validation Project and related services, described under “— Overview — Revenues”, as no tangible deliverable other than services will be provided to the USCG and we retain title to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, the arrangement is accounted for as a long term service arrangement. The deliverables under the agreement with the USCG do not qualify as separate units of accounting. Commencing with acceptance of the AIS data by the USCG in August 2008, the revenues related to the design and development of the satellite, initial post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services underare being recognized ratably over six years, the expected life of the customer contracts arerelationship. At its option, the USCG may elect to receive subsequent maintenance and AIS data transmission services. These services, if accepted by the USCG, will be recognized as deferred revenues and revenue recognition is deferred until such time that all revenue recognition criteria have been met.ratably over the remaining expected life of the customer relationship.
 
For arrangements with multiple obligations (e.g.(e.g., deliverable and undeliverable products, and other post-contract support), we allocate revenues to each component of the contract based upon objective evidence of each component’s fair value. We recognize revenues allocated to undelivered products when the criteria for product revenues set forth above are met. If objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered obligations is not available, the arrangement consideration allocable to a delivered item is combined with the amount allocable to the undelivered item(s) within the arrangement. Revenues are recognized as the remaining obligations are fulfilled.
 
Out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the performance of professional service contracts are included in costs of services and any amounts re-billed to clients are included in revenues during the period in which they are incurred. Shipping costs billed to customers are included in product sales revenues and the related costs are included as costs of product sales.
 
Under our agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard with respectAmounts received prior to the Concept Validation Projectperformance of services under customer contracts are recognized as deferred revenues and related services described under “— Overview — Revenues”, the deliverables do not qualify as separate units of accounting and as a result, revenues from the agreement will be recognized ratably commencing upon the launch of the demonstration satellite (expected in 2008) over the expected life of the customer relationship.
We, on occasion, issue options to purchase our equity securities or the equity securities of our subsidiaries, or issue shares of our common stock as an incentive in soliciting sales commitments from our customers. The grant date fair value ofrevenue recognition is deferred until such equity instruments is recorded as a reduction of revenues on a pro-rata basis as products or services are delivered under the sales arrangement.time that all revenue recognition criteria have been met.
 
Costs of product sales and services
 
Costs of product sales includes the purchase price of products sold,subscriber communicators and SIMS, shipping charges, payroll and payroll related costs including stock-based compensation for employees who are directly associated with fulfilling product sales and depreciation and amortization of assets used to deliver products. Costs of services is comprised of usage fees to our cellular wireless providers for the data transmitted by our resellers on our network, payroll and related costs, including stock-based compensation associated with our network engineers, materials and supplies, depreciation associated with our communications system and amortization of assetslicenses acquired used to providedeliver the services.


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Accounts receivable
 
Accounts receivable are due in accordance with payment terms included in our negotiated contracts. Amounts due are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. We make ongoing assumptions and judgments relating to the collectibility of our accounts receivable to determine our required allowances based on a number of factors such as the age of the receivable, credit history of the customer, historical experience and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. Past experience may not be indicative of future collections; as a result, allowances for doubtful accounts may deviate from our estimates as a percentage of accounts receivable and sales.


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Satellite network and other equipment
 
Satellite network and other equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We use judgment to determine the useful life of our satellite network based on the estimated operational life of the satellites and periodic reviews of engineering data relating to the operation and performance of our satellite network.
 
Satellite network includes the costs of our constellation of satellites, and the ground and control segments, which consists of gateway earth stations, gateway control centers and the network control center (the “Ground Segment”).
 
Assets under construction primarily consists of costs relating to the design, development and launch, of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, payload, bus and launch procurement agreements for our quick-launch satellites and other related costs, design of the next-generation satellites and upgrades to our infrastructure and Ground Segment. Once these assets are placed in service they will be transferred to satellite network and other equipment and then depreciation and amortization will be recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets. No depreciation has been charged on these assets as of December 31, 2007.2008.
 
Long-lived assets
 
We evaluate long-lived assets, including license rights, under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144,Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.Assets. Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. In connection with this review, we reevaluate the periods of depreciation and amortization. We recognize an impairment loss when the sum of the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be realized from the asset is less than its carrying amount. If an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, which is determined using the projected discounted future net cash flows. We measure fair value by discounting estimated future net cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable judgment by the Company is necessary to estimate the fair value of the assets and accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Our most significant estimates and judgments relating to the long-lived asset impairments include the timing and amount of projected future cash flows and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in future cash flows.
 
Capitalized development costs
 
Judgments and estimates occur in the calculation of capitalized development costs. We evaluate and estimate when a preliminary project stage is completed and at the point when the project is substantially complete and ready for use. We base our estimates and evaluations on engineering data. We capitalize the costs of acquiring, developing and testing software to meet our internal needs. Capitalization of costs associated with software obtained or developed for internal use commences when both the preliminary project stage is completed and management has authorized further funding for the project, based on a determination that it is probable that the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalized costs include only (1) external direct cost of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software, and (2) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and devote time to, the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for


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its intended use. Internal use software costs are amortized once the software is placed in service using the straight-line method over periods ranging from three to five years.
 
Income taxes
 
We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes(“, (“SFAS 109”). Under these guidelines, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect


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on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Judgment is applied in determining whether the recoverability of our deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. A valuation allowance is established for the amount of deferred tax assets that are determined not to be realizable. Realization of our deferred tax assets may depend upon our ability to generate future taxable income. Based upon this analysis, we established a 100% valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets, except for an unrecognized tax benefit of $0.2 million.
 
On January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”)an interpretation of SFAS 109.109 (“FIN 48”). This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties and disclosures of matters related to uncertainty in income taxes, The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with this interpretation is a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in an increase in a liability for income taxes payable or a reduction of an income tax refund receivable, or a reduction in a deferred tax asset or an increase in a deferred tax liability or both. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. Accounting for uncertainties in income taxes positions under FIN 48 involves significant judgments by management.
 
As of January 1, 2007, we had no significant unrecognized tax benefits. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we recognized adjustments for uncertain tax benefits totaling $0.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we had no significant unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the existence of our valuation allowance the uncertain tax benefits if recognized would not impact our effective income tax rate. We are subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities for all years since its inception.from 2005. We do not expect any significant changes to its unrecognized tax positions during the next twelve months.
 
Loss contingencies
 
We accrue for costs relating to litigation, claims and other contingent matters when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Actual amounts paid may differ from amounts estimated, and such differences will be charged to operations in the period in which the final determination of the liability is made. Management considers the assessment of loss contingencies as a critical accounting policy because of the significant uncertainty relating to the outcome of any potential legal actions and other claims and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of the potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from legal actions or other claims and assessments.


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Share-based Compensation
 
Our share-based compensation plans consist of the 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan (the “2006 LTIP”) and the 2004 Stock Option Plan. The 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan,LTIP approved by our stockholders in September 2006, provides for the grants of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance units and performance shares to our employees and non-employee directors The 2004 Stock Option Plan, adopted in 2004, provides for the grants of non-qualified and incentive stock options to officers, directors, employees and consultants.
 
On January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) Share-Based Payment(“ (“SFAS 123(R)”), which requires the measurement and recognition of stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. We adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the most appropriate


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model for determining the estimated fair value for all share-based payment awards. Under that transition method, stock-based compensation expense recognized subsequent to January 1, 2006 includes stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value, estimated in accordance with provisions of SFAS 123(R).
 
SFAS 123(R) requires us to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards based on estimated fair values. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. For awards with performance conditions, we make an evaluation at the grant date and future periods as to the likelihood of the performance targets being met. Compensation expense is adjusted in future periods for subsequent changes in the expected outcome of the performance conditions until the vesting date. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123(R).
Prior to January 1, 2006, stock-based compensation arrangements with our employees have been accounted for in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,and related interpretations, using the intrinsic value method of accounting which requires charges to stock-based compensation expense for the excess, if any, of the fair value of the underlying stock at the date an employee stock option is granted (or at an appropriate subsequent measurement date) over the amount the employee must pay to acquire the stock.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, we recognized $3.7 million $4.4 million $3.9 million and $0.2$3.9 million of stock-based compensation expense, respectively. As of December 31, 2007,2008, we had an aggregate of $2.4$2.6 million of unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements.
 
We expect that our planned use of share-based payment arrangements will continue to be a significant expense for us in future periods. We have not recognized, and do not expect to recognize in the near future, any tax benefit related to employee stock-based compensation expense as a result of the full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets and net operating loss carryforwards.
 
The grant date fair value of the performance-and time-based RSU awards granted in 2008 and 2007 isare based upon the closing stock price of our common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the time and performance-based RSUs granted in 2006 was determined to be $11.00 per common share, the price of our common stock sold in our initial public offeringoffering.
 
The fair value of each time and performance-based SAR award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions described below for the periods indicated. Expected volatility was based on the stock volatility for comparable publicly traded companies. We use the “simplified” method based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term to calculate the expected life of each SAR award. Estimated forfeitures were based on voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual SAR forfeitures. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant over the expected term of the SAR grants.
 
          
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2007 2006 2008 2007 2006
Risk-free interest rate 4.93% 4.66% 2.50% to 3.20% 4.93% 4.66%
Expected life (years) 5.5 5.50 to 6.00 5.5 and 6.00 5.5 5.50 to 6.00
Estimated volatility 43.95% 43.85%
Estimated volatility factor 43.98% to 48.98% 43.95% 43.85%
Expected dividends None None None None None


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2004 Stock Option Plan
 
In 2008 and 2007 we did not grant any stock options.
 
In February 2006, we granted an option to an employee to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. The fair value of the share-based award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: expected volatility of 44.50% based on the stock volatility for comparable publicly traded companies; estimated fair value of our common stock on the date of grant of $15.00 per share; expected life of the option of four years, giving consideration to the contractual term and vesting schedule; risk-free interest rate of 4.64% based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant over the expected term of the stock option grant; and zero dividend yield. The exercise price of these options was $4.88 per share and the estimated fair value of these options was $11.16 per share.
 
We determined the fair value of our common stock underlying stock options issued in February 2006 to be $15.00 per share. At the time options were issued in February 2006, we concluded that the fair value of our common stock had increased significantly to $15.00 per share, as a result of the completion of the Series B preferred stock financing, recent developments in our business, our projected financial performance and the commencement of the process for our initial public offering, which was completed in 2006. In reaching our conclusion, we took into account a number of factors, including: (i) the $6.045 conversion price of our Series B preferred stock issued in December 2005 and January 2006, after giving effect to the2-for-3 reverse stock split effected in October 2006; (ii) our improved liquidity due to the receipt of net proceeds from the Series B preferred stock financing, resulting in cash and cash equivalents of over $60 million in the beginning of 2006, which would permit us to continue to fund working capital and a portion of our capital expenditure plan; (iii) recent business developments which we believed improved our operations and prospects, including substantial net increases in billable subscriber communicators activated on our system during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the beginning of the first quarter of 2006 and customer wins with large resellers such as GE Equipment Services; (iv) the then-current and projected increases in our revenues and gross margins; (v) preliminary estimated price ranges related to the commencement of our process for our initial public offering completed in November 2006; and (vi) a discounted cash flow analysis of our projected financial results.
 
We also considered the following factors in assessing the fair value: the fact that our common stock was an illiquid security of a private company without a trading market; the likelihood of a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering; and potential risks and uncertainties in our business. We made such determination by considering a number of factors including the conversion price of our Series A and B preferred stock issued December 2005 and January 2006, recent business developments, a discounted cash flow analysis of its projected financial results, and preliminary estimated price ranges related to the commencement of our process for a potential public offering.
 
We did not obtain a contemporaneous valuation from an unrelated valuation specialist. Determining the fair value of our common stock requires making complex and subjective judgments and is subject to assumptions and uncertainties. We believe that we have used reasonable methodologies, approaches and assumptions consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Guide, “Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation” to determine the fair value of our common stock.


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Results of Operations
 
Revenues
 
The table below presents our revenues (in thousands) for the years ending December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, together with the percentage of total revenue represented by each revenue category:
 
                                                
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
   % of
   % of
   % of
    % of
   % of
   % of
 
   Total   Total   Total    Total   Total   Total 
Service revenues $17,717   62.9% $11,561   47.2% $7,804   50.3% $23,812   79.1% $17,717   62.9% $11,561   47.2%
Product sales  10,435   37.1%  12,959   52.8%  7,723   49.7%  6,280   20.9%  10,435   37.1%  12,959   52.8%
                          
 $28,152   100.0% $24,520   100.0% $15,527   100.0% $30,092   100.0% $28,152   100.0% $24,520   100.0%
                          
2008 vs. 2007:  Total revenues for 2008 increased $1.9 million or 6.9% to $30.1 million from $28.2 million in 2007. Total revenues for 2008 included $4.4 million from ORBCOMM Japan. Total revenues for 2007 included revenue recognized from the sale of a gateway earth station of $1.5 million pursuant to a contract entered into in 2006.
 
2007 vs. 2006:Total revenues for 2007 increased $3.6 million, or 14.8%, to $28.2 million from $24.5 million in 2006. This increase was due to an increase in serviceTotal revenues of $6.1 million, offset by a decrease in product sales of $2.5 million. Excludingfor 2007 included revenue recognized from the sale of a gateway earth station of $1.5 million in 2007 pursuant to a contract entered into in 2006. Total revenues for 2006 andincluded $0.2 million in 2006from the sale of gateway earth station and total revenues pursuant to a contract entered into in 2003 revenues increased $2.3 million or 9.5% over 2006.
2006 vs. 2005:  Total revenues for 2006 increased $9.0 million or 57.9% to $24.5 million from $15.5 million in 2005. This increase was due to an increase in service revenues of $3.8 million and product sales of $5.2 million. Excluding revenue recognized from the sale of the gateway earth station, pursuant to a contract entered into in 2003, of $0.2 million and $2.1 million in 2006 and 2005 respectively, 2006 revenues increased $11.0 million or 81.8% over 2005.2003.
 
Service revenues
 
2008 vs. 2007:  Service revenues increased $6.1 million in 2008, or 34.4% to $23.8 million, or approximately 79.1% of total revenues, from $17.7 million, or approximately 62.9% of total revenues in 2007. The increase in service revenues in 2008 over 2007 were primarily due to an increase in the number of billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications system, incremental service revenue margin provided by ORBCOMM Japan of $1.0 million and $0.6 million of revenues from the Coast Guard agreement. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 460,000 billable subscriber communicators on the ORBCOMM System compared to approximately 351,000 billable subscriber communicators as of December 31, 2007, an increase of approximately 31.0%.
2007 vs. 2006:Service revenues increased $6.1 million in 2007, or 53.2% to $17.7 million, or approximately 62.9% of total revenues, from $11.6 million, or approximately 47.2% of total revenues in 2006. As of December 31, 2007, under the revised definition of billable subscriber communicators, we had approximately 351,000 billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications system compared to approximately 225,000 billable subscriber communicators at December 31, 2006, anThe increase of approximately 56.2%.
The increases in service revenue forrevenues in 2007 wasover 2006 were primarily due to an increase in the number of billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications system. As of December 31, 2007, the number of billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications systems increased approximately 56.2% from approximately 225,000 billable subscriber communicators as of December 31, 2006.
Service revenue growth can be impacted by the customary lag between subscriber communicator activations and the recognition of service revenuesrevenue from these units. In addition, this customary lag has been increased by the slowdown in deployments of activated units to end users by GE.
 
2006 vs. 2005:  Service revenues increased $3.8 million in 2006, or 48.1%, to $11.6 million, or approximately 47.2% of total revenues, from $7.8 million, or approximately 50.3% of total revenues in 2005. As of December 31, 2006, under the revised definition of billable subscriber communicators, the number of billable subscriber communicators activated on our communications system increased approximately 99.1% from approximately 113,000 billable subscriber communicators as of December 31, 2005.
For 2006 and 2005, the number of billable subscriber communicators grew at a faster pace than our total service revenues due in part to customary lags between subscriber communicator activations and recognition of service revenues from these units. Consistent with our strategy to focus on customers with the potential for a high number of connections with lower usage applications, we experienced an increase in the mix of lower revenue per subscriber communicator applications and negotiated a lower priced plan with a customer in order to accommodate revisions to its applications. The increase in the number of billable subscriber communications was primarily by customers with trailer tracking, heavy equipment monitoring and, “in-cab” truck monitoring applications.


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Product sales
 
2008 vs. 2007:  Revenue from product sales decreased $4.2 million in 2008 or 39.8%, to $6.3 million, or approximately 20.9% of total revenues, from $10.4 million, or approximately 37.1% of total revenues in 2007. Included in product sales in 2008 is $3.5 million from ORBCOMM Japan. Included in product sales in 2007 is $1.5 million of revenue recognized from the sale of a gateway earth station pursuant to a contract entered into in 2006. We recognize the revenue from the sale of a gateway earth station upon installation, customer acceptance and when collectibility is reasonably assured. Sales of subscriber communicators and other equipment, excluding revenues from ORBCOMM Japan and the gateway earth station decreased $6.1 million or 68.5% compared to 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower demand for subscriber communicators by VARs in the transportation


54


sector, primarily GE, which is in default under its subscriber communicator purchase and sale agreement with our Stellar subsidiary.
2007 vs. 2006:Revenue from product sales decreased $2.5 million in 2007 or 19.5%, to $10.4 million, or approximately 37.1% of total revenues, from $12.9 million, or approximately 52.8% of total revenues in 2006.


50.1


Included in product sales in 2007 is $1.5 million of revenue recognized from the sale of a gateway earth station pursuant to a contract entered into in 2006. Included in product sales in 2006 is $0.2 million of revenue recognized from the sale of a gateway earth station pursuant to a contract entered into in 2003. We recognize the revenue from the sale of a gateway earth station upon installation, customer acceptance and when collectibility is reasonably assured. In 2007, sales of subscriber communicators and other equipment, excluding the gateway earth station sale decreased $3.8 million or 30.0% compared to 2006. This decrease was primarily due to lower sales to GE and decrease in our average selling price of subscriber communicators based on volume price reductions we are receiving from our contract manufacturer Delphi in 2007.
 
2006 vs. 2005:  Revenue from product sales increased $5.2 million in 2006, or 67.8%, to $13.0 million, or approximately 52.8% of total revenues, from $7.7 million, or approximately 49.7% of total revenues in 2005. Included in product sales in 2006 and 2005 is $0.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of revenue recognized from the sale of a gateway earth station pursuant to a contract entered into in 2003. Sales of subscriber communicators and other equipment, excluding the gateway earth station sale, increased $7.2 million or 128.7% in 2006. This increase was entirely derived from sales of subscriber communicators and related peripheral equipment, offset by a decrease in the average selling price of subscriber communicators which resulted from our release in the second half of 2005 of two lower-priced, higher performance subscriber communicators (DS 300 and DS 100 models).
Costs of services
 
Costs of services include the expensespayroll and related costs associated with our engineering groups, the repair and maintenance of our ground infrastructure, usage fees paid to our cellular wireless provider for reselling airtime on their network for our terrestrial-based services, the depreciation associated with our communications system and the amortization of licenses acquired throughacquired.
2008 vs. 2007:  Costs of services increased by $1.8 million or 22.7% to $9.8 million in 2008 from $8.0 million in 2008. The increase is primarily due to costs related to our acquisitionterrestrial-based cellular communication services which commenced in the third quarter of Satcom2007, facility costs of $0.5 million related to our new network operations center facility and depreciation expense of $0.7 million primarily related to the Coast Guard demonstration satellite placed in October 2005.service during the third quarter of 2008. As a percentage of service revenues, cost of services were 41.2% of service revenues in 2008 compared to 45.1% in 2007.
We expect that costs of services will increase in future periods due to depreciation expense associated with the recently launched Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the four quick-launch satellites once they are placed in service.
 
2007 vs. 2006:  Costs of services decreased by $0.7 million, or 8.3%, to $8.0 million in 2007 from $8.7 million in 2006. The decrease is due to a decrease in labor costs of $0.2 million due to an increase in the number of capitalizable internal projects and lower maintenance costs of $0.3 million. As a percentage of service revenues, cost of services were 45.1% of service revenues in 2007 compared to 75.4% in 2006. The decrease in costs of services as a percentage of service revenues is primarily due to lower depreciation on our satellites, which became fully depreciated during the fourth quarter of 2006 and aan increase in service revenues.
2006 vs. 2005:  Cost of services increased by $2.5 million, or 39.9%, to $8.7 million in 2006 from $6.2 million in 2005. This increase was primarily due to increased headcount in our engineering groups, which added $1.1 million of costs including an increase of $0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective transition method, higher equipment maintenance costs of $0.7 million as we made improvements to our existing system infrastructure and the amortization of licenses acquired in our acquisition of Satcom of $0.7 million. Included in our costs of services in 2005 is the stock-based compensation expense that was being recognized over the vesting periods for stock options that were granted to employees in 2004 having an exercise price per share less than the fair value of our common stock at the date of grant. These amounts were not significant in 2005.
 
Costs of product sales
 
Costs of product sales include the cost of subscriber communicators and SIMS and related peripheral equipment, as well as the operational costs to fulfill customer orders, including costs for employeesemployees.
2008 vs. 2007:  Costs of product sales decreased $4.0 million, or 39.4% to $6.1 million in 2008 including $2.3 million related to our Stellar subsidiary and cellular wireless communication technologiesORBCOMM Japan, from $10.1 million in 2007. Product cost represented 69.8% of the cost of product sales in 2008, which decreased by $4.4 million, or 50.9%, to $4.3 million in 2008 from $8.7 million in 2007. In 2008 product costs also includes a cost reduction of $0.2 million from the gateway earth station sold in 2007. In 2007 product costs also includes $0.6 million of costs associated with the gateway earth station sale pursuant to a contract entered into in 2006. Excluding the cost reduction of $0.2 million from the gateway earth station sold in 2007 we had a gross profit from product sales (revenues from product sales minus costs of product sales including distribution costs) of less than $0.1 million including $1.2 million of gross profit from ORBCOMM Japan in 2008. Excluding the sale of the gateway earth station sold in 2007 which had a gross margin of $0.8 million, we had a gross loss from product sales (revenues from product sales minus costs of product sales including distribution costs) of $0.4 million in 2007.
Excluding the gross profit from product sales from ORBCOMM Japan, the cost reduction of the gateway earth station sold in 2007 the gross loss from product sales in 2008 was related to our ORBBCOMM LLC subsidiary.lower revenues from subscriber


55


communicator sales which were not sufficient to cover costs associated with distribution, fulfillment and customer service costs associated with completing customer orders.
 
2007 vs. 2006:  Costs of product sales decreased by $2.0 million, or 16.7%, to $10.1 million in 2007 from $12.1 million in 2006. Product cost represented 85.6% of the cost of product sales in 2007, which decreased by $2.2 million, or 20.4% to $8.7 million in 2007 from $10.9 million in 2006. In 2007 product cost also includes $0.6 million of costs associated with the gateway earth station sale pursuant to a contract entered into in 2006. In 2006 product cost also includes $0.2 million of installation costs associated with the sale of the gateway earth station recognized in 2005 pursuant to a contract entered into in 2003. Excluding sales of gateway earth stations recognized in 2007 and 2006, which had gross margins of $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, we had a gross loss from product sales (revenues from product sales minus costs of product sales) of $0.4 million for 2007 as compared to a


51


gross profit from product sales of $0.7 million in 2006. The decrease in the gross profit from product sales in 2007 were related to lower revenues from subscriber communicator sales and a decrease in selling prices as described above in Product Sales, which did not cover the distribution, fulfillment and customer service costs associated with completing customer orders. The gross profit from product sales for 2006 was reduced by an inventory impairment charge of $0.3 million.
 
2006 vs. 2005:  Costs of product sales increased by $5.6 million, or 85.9%, to $12.1 million in 2006 from $6.5 million in 2005. Product cost represented 90.3% of the cost of product sales in 2006, which increased by $5.5 million, or 102.0% to $10.9 million in 2006 from $5.4 million in 2005. Product cost also includes $0.2 million of installation costs associated with the sale of the 2003 gateway earth station recognized in 2005, which did not have a carrying value. Excluding the 2003 gateway earth station sale recognized in 2006 and 2005, which had a gross margin of $0.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, we had a gross profit from product sales of $0.7 million for 2006 as compared to a gross loss from product sales of $0.7 million for 2005. The gross profit from product sales for 2006 was reduced by an inventory impairment charge of $0.3 million due to unanticipated lower demand for our older ST 2500 model subscriber communicators because of the rapid acceptance of our newer DS 300 and DS 100 models. In 2005, our subscriber communicators (other than obsolete units) were sold at prices above their direct acquisition costs but the volume was not enough to cover the costs associated with distribution, fulfillment and customer service costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses relate primarily to compensation and associated expenses for employees in general management, sales and marketing and finance, legal expenses and regulatory matters.
2008 vs. 2007:  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 7.0%, to $18.9 million in 2008 from $17.7 million in 2007. The increase is primarily due to a $0.7 million increase in employee costs, resulting from an increase in payroll costs of $1.1 million including $0.5 million due to the acquisition of ORBCOMM Japan, offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation of $0.4 million.
 
2007 vs. 2006:  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million, or 12.4%, to $17.7 million in 2007 from $15.7 million in 2006. This increase is primarily due to higher employee costs, resulting primarily from an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.5 million, a $0.7 million increase in insurance costs and professional service fees related to being a public company, a $0.5 million increase in costs for travel and marketing expenses and a $0.2 million increase in depreciation due to upgrades to our administrative infrastructure.
 
2006 vs. 2005:  Selling general and administrative expenses increased $6.4 million, or 68.4%, to $15.7 million in 2006 from $9.3 million in 2005. This increase is primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in professional service fees, primarily related to consulting fees related to preparing for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other professional fees, regulatory matters and investor relations and a $5.1 million increase in payroll costs due to increased headcount as we prepared to become a public company including an increase of $3.2 million in stock-based compensation resulting primarily from the granting of restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights in October 2006.
Product development expenses
 
Product development expenses consist primarily of the expenses associated with the staff of our engineering development team, along with the cost of third parties that are contracted for specific development projects.
 
2008 vs. 2007:  Product development expenses in both 2008 and 2007 were $1.1 million.
2007 vs. 2006:  Product development expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 41.5% to $1.1 million in 2007 from $1.8 million in 2006. This decrease is primarily due to lower spending with third parties.parties due to timing of product development activities.
 
2006 vs. 2005:Gain on customer claims settlements  Product development expenses increased $0.5
In 2008, we recognized a $0.3 million or 35.3%, to $1.8gain on a settlement of a claim against a VAR upon receipt of the settlement proceeds.
On March 25, 2008, we received a 37% equity interest in ORBCOMM Japan and cash of $0.6 million in 2006satisfaction of claims against ORBCOMM Japan, pursuant to a voluntary reorganization of ORBCOMM Japan in accordance with the rehabilitation plan approved by the Tokyo district court on December 25, 2007. The fair value of the consideration we received for settlement of claims against ORBCOMM Japan exceeded the $0.4 million carrying value of current and long-term receivables from $1.3ORBCOMM Japan by $0.9 million in 2005. This increase is primarily due to $0.3 million paid to third parties performing design workand we recognized a gain for future satellitesthe same amount for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
On May 15, 2008, we received 616 newly issued shares of common stock from ORBCOMM Japan representing an additional 14% equity interest and an increase in payroll costsrecognized a gain of $0.2 million primarily due to increased headcount including an increase of $0.1 million in stock-based compensation. In 2005 stock-based compensation was not significant.million.


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Other income (expense)
 
Other income (expense) is comprised primarily of interest income from our cash and cash equivalents, which consists of U.S. Treasuries, interest bearing instruments, including commercial paper,foreign exchange gains and our investmentslosses and interest expense.
2008 vs. 2007:  Other income was $0.6 million in 2008 compared to $5.1 million in 2007. In 2008, interest income was $1.6 million compared to $5.2 million. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates from investing in low risk and low interest rate U.S. Treasury securities in 2008 compared to higher interest rates from investing in investment grade floating rate redeemable municipal debt securities classified as available-for-sale marketable securities,in 2007. In 2008, included in other expense are $0.8 million of losses from foreign exchange gains, interest expense and loss on the extinguishment of our notes payable.currency transactions. In 2007 losses from foreign currency transactions were not significant.


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2007 vs. 2006:  Other income was $5.1 million in 2007 compared to $2.6 million in 2006. The increase was primarily due to increased investment balances resulting from net proceeds received from our initial public offering completed in November 2006 and our secondary offering completed in May 2007. We expect interest income to decrease in future periods due to lower interest rates from investing in low risk U.S. Treasury Securities during the third quarter of 2007 and lower investment balances.
 
2006 vs. 2005:  Other income was $2.6 millionPre-control earnings in 2006 comparedsubsidiary and minority interest
Pre-control earnings in subsidiary and minority interest relates to earnings that are attributable to the other expenseshareholder of $1.3 millionORBCOMM Japan. Pre-control earnings in 2005. subsidiary are comprised of earnings prior to the change in control, and minority interest is comprised of earnings after the change in control, not attributable to us.
In 2006,2008, the pre-control earnings in ORBCOMM Japan and minority interest income was $2.6 million compared to less thanwere $0.1 million in 2005. This increase was due to increased investment balances resulting from the proceeds received from the issuance of our Series B preferred stock in December 2005 and January 2006 and net proceeds received from our initial public offering completed in November 2006. In 2006, foreign exchange gains was $0.3$0.5 million, compared to nil in 2005. This increase was due to a full year of operations of foreign subsidiaries that we acquired in October 2005. In 2005, we had a loss on extinguishment of notes payable of $1.0 million, which was related to the conversion of the bridge notes issued in November and December 2005 having unamortized costs associated with debt issuance costs that were expensed upon conversion of the notes payable into Series B preferred stock.respectively.
 
Net loss and net loss applicable to common shares
2008 vs. 2007:  As a result of the items described above, we had a net loss of $4.5 million in 2008 compared to a net loss of $3.6 million in 2007, an increase of $0.9 million or 26.5%.
 
2007 vs. 2006:  As a result of the items described above, our net loss narrowed to $3.6 million in 2007 compared to a net loss of $11.2 million in 2006, decreasing by $7.6 million, an improvement of 68.0%.
2006 vs. 2005:  As a result of the items described above, we had a net loss of $11.2 million in 2006, compared to a net loss of $9.1 million in 2005, an increase in the net loss of $2.1 million. Our net loss applicable to common shares (net loss adjusted for dividends required on shares of preferred stock and accretion in preferred stock carrying value) was $29.6 million in 2006, as compared to $14.2 million in 2005, an increase of $15.4 million. This increase was primarily related to the $10.1 million payment to our holders of the Series B preferred stock in connection with obtaining consents required for the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock in connection with our initial public offering.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview
 
Our liquidity requirements arise from our working capital needs and to fund capital expenditures to support our current operations, and facilitate growth and expansion. Since our inception, we have financed our operations from sales of our common stock through public offerings and private placements of debt, convertible redeemable preferred stock, membership interests and common stock. We have incurred losses from operations since inception, including a net loss of $3.6$4.5 million in 20072008 and as of December 31, 20072008 we have an accumulated deficit of $63.4$68.0 million. As of December 31, 2007,2008, our primary source of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents including U.S. Treasury Securities, totaling $115.6$75.4 million.
 
Public Offerings
 
On November 8, 2006, we completed our initial public offering of 9,230,800 shares of common stock at a price of $11.00 per share. After deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering expenses we received proceeds of approximately $89.5 million. From these net proceeds we paid accumulated and unpaid dividends totaling $7.5 million to the holders of Series B preferred stock, a $3.6 million contingent purchase price payment relating to the acquisition of Satcom and a $10.1 million payment to the holders of Series B preferred stock in connection with obtaining consents required for the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock into common stock upon completion of the IPO. As a result all outstanding shares of Series A and B preferred stock converted into 21,383,318 shares of common stock.
 
On May 31, 2007, we closed a secondary public offering of 8,050,000 shares of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. An aggregate of 2,985,000 shares of common stock were sold by us and 5,065,000 shares were


57


sold by certain stockholders, which included 1,050,000 shares sold upon full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. We received net proceeds of approximately $31.0 million after deducting underwriters’ discounts


53


and commissions and offering costs of $3.3 million. We did not receive any proceeds from the shares sold by the selling stockholders.
 
Operating activities
Cash provided by our operating activities in 2008 was $3.9 million resulting from a net loss of $4.5 million, offset by adjustments for non-cash items of $7.2 million and $1.3 million of cash generated from working capital. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $3.2 million for depreciation and amortization and $3.7 million for stock-based compensation, $0.8 million for foreign currency transactions and $0.6 million of pre-control earnings and minority interest relating to ORBCOMM Japan, offset by $0.9 million non-cash gains primarily related to obtaining our 51% interest in ORBCOMM Japan and a $0.3 million reduction of expenses due to expiration of an asset purchase option. Working capital activities primarily consisted of net sources of cash of $3.1 million for a decrease in accounts receivable primarily related to timing of collections and $1.0 million for an increase in deferred revenue primarily related to an increase in pre-payments of service revenues by OEMs, offset by a net use of cash of $1.7 million primarily related to timing of payments made to vendors and $0.7 million for an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets.
 
Cash provided by our operating activities in 2007 was $3.8 million resulting from a net loss of $3.6 million, offset by adjustments for non-cash items of $7.1 million and $0.3 million generated by working capital. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $2.4 million for depreciation and amortization and $4.4 million for stock-based compensation. Working capital activities primarily consisted of net uses of cash of $0.4 million for an increase in accounts receivable primarily related to the increase in our revenues and the timing of collections and $0.4 million for an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets, offset by sources of cash from increases of $0.2 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses and $0.8 million in inventories.
 
Cash used in our operating activities in 2006 was $8.9 million resulting from a net loss of $11.2 million, offset by adjustments for non-cash items of $6.4$6.1 million and $4.1$3.8 million used for working capital. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $2.4 million for depreciation and amortization, $0.3 million for foreign currency transactions, $0.3 million for inventory impairments and $3.9 million for stock-based compensation. Working capital activities primarily consisted of a net use of cash of $1.2 million for an increase in accounts receivable primarily related to the increase in our revenues and the timing of collections, a use of cash of $2.0 million for inventories primarily related to the increase in our revenues due to the strong demand of our newer DS 300 and DS 100 model subscriber communicators and a net use of cash of $2.9$2.7 million for a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses primarily related to payments for professional fees in connection with our Series B stock financing and our initial public offering. The uses of cash described above were offset by sources of cash from an increase of $1.5 million in deferred revenue primarily related to billings we rendered in connection with our Coast Guard demonstration satellite and a decrease of $0.5 million in advances to a contract manufacturer.
 
Investing activities
Cash provided byused in our operatinginvesting activities in 20052008 was $3.6$45.6 million, resulting from a net losscapital expenditures of $9.1$40.2 million offset by adjustments for non-cash items of $3.5 million and $9.3 million generated by working capital. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $2.0 million for depreciation and amortization, $1.0 million for loss on extinguishment of debt and $0.2 million for stock-based compensation. Working capital activities primarily consisted of a source of cash from a decrease of $3.0 million in advances to contract manufacturer related to the production of our ST 2500 subscriber communicator model, and an increase of $3.3$5.7 million in deferred revenue primarily related to billings we renderedrestricted cash as collateral for a performance bond in connection with ourobtaining FCC authorization to construct, launch and operate an additional twenty-four next-generation satellites and the Orbital Sciences procurement agreement for the quick-launch satellites. Capital expenditures included $1.4 million for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, $8.7 million for the quick-launch and an increase$26.6 million for the next-generation satellites and $3.5 million of $2.9 millionimprovements to accounts payableour internal infrastructure and accrued liabilities primarily related to the increase in professional fees in connection with our Series B stock financing and our initial public offering.
Investing activitiesground segment.
 
Cash generated from our investing activities in 2007 was $18.8 million resulting from sales of marketable securities of $97.0 million offset by capital expenditures of $20.0 million and purchases of marketable securities consisting of investment grade floating rate redeemable municipal debt securities totaling $58.3 million. Capital expenditures included $0.5 million for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and $16.1 million for the quick-launchquick-


58


launch and next-generation satellites and $3.4 million of improvements to our internal infrastructure and Ground Segment.
 
Cash used in our investing activities in 2006 was $64.8 million resulting from capital expenditures of $22.4 million and purchases of marketable securities consisting of floating rate redeemable municipal debt securities totaling $43.9 million and a contingent purchase price payment of $3.6 million relating to the acquisition of Satcom offset by sales of marketable securities of $5.0 million. Capital expenditures included $1.4 million for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and $17.4 million for the quick-launch and next-generation satellites and $3.6 million of improvements to our internal infrastructure and Ground Segment.
 
Financing activities
Cash used inprovided by our investingfinancing activities in 20052008 was $4.0$0.3 million resulting primarily from capital expendituresproceeds received from the exercise of $3.5 million for the Coast Guard demonstration satellitewarrants and $0.5 million of improvementsstock options to our internal infrastructure.


54


Allpurchase 125,744 shares of our costs incurred with the construction of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and our quick-launch and next-generation satellites are recorded as assets under construction in our consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2007, we have incurred $41.9 million of such costs with $7.1 million of costs relatedcommon stock at per share exercise prices ranging from $2.33 to the construction of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and $34.8 million related to our quick-launch and next-generation satellites.
Financing activities$3.38.
 
Cash provided by our financing activities in 2007 was $31.0 million resulting primarily from the net proceeds received from our secondary public offering of common stock, after deducting underwriter’s discounts and commissions and offering costs.
 
Cash provided by our financing activities in 2006 was $67.5 million resulting primarily from $89.5 million in net proceeds received from our initial public offering of our common stock, after deducting underwriter’s discounts and commissions and offering costs. In connection with our initial public offering, we made payments of accumulated and unpaid dividends totaling $7.5 million to the holders of our Series B preferred stock and a $10.1 million payment to the holders of Series B preferred stock in connection with obtaining consents required for the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock into common stock upon completion of the IPO. We also received net proceeds of $1.4 million from the issuance of an additional 260,895 shares of Series B preferred stock, after deducting issuance costs, and proceeds of $1.5 million from the issuance of an aggregate of 619,580 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock at per share exercise prices ranging from $2.33 to $4.26. We made dividend payments to our Series A preferred stock holders totaling $8.0 million in January of 2006.
 
Cash provided by our financing activities in 2005 was $65.7 million resulting from $25.0 million in gross proceeds received from the issuance of convertible notes in November and December 2005, offset by deferred financing costs payments of $1.0 million. In December, 2005, we issued 17.6 million shares of Series B preferred stock, which included the conversion of the convertible notes into Series B preferred stock and we received additional net proceeds of $41.7 million, after deducting issuance costs of $4.3 million.
Future Liquidity and Capital Resource Requirements
 
We expect cash flows from operating activities, along with our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to provide working capital and fund capital expenditures, which primarily includes milestone payments under the deployment of additionalprocurement agreement for the next-generation satellites for at least the next 12 months. In 2008,2009, we expect to incur between $35.0approximately $29.0 million and $40.0 million of additional capital expenditures primarily for our quick-launch and next-generation satellites.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 20072008 and the effect that those obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
 
                
 Payment due by Period                 
   Less than
 1 to
 After
 ��Payment due by Period 
 Total 1 Year 3 Years 3 Years    Less than
 1 to
 After
 
 (In thousands)  Total 1 year 3 Years 3 Years 
Quick-launch procurement agreements $6,250  $5,150  $1,100  $  $3,083  $3,083  $  $ 
Next-generation procurement agreements  92,430   26,910   62,595   2,925 
Operating leases  1,227   838   379   10   4,433   745   1,692   1,996 
Purchase commitment  4,800      4,800    
                  
Total $7,477  $5,988  $1,479  $10 
          $104,746  $30,738  $69,087  $4,921 
         


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Quick-launch procurement agreements
 
On April 21, 2006, we entered into an agreement with Orbital Sciences Corporation to supply the payloads for our six quick-launch satellites. The price of the six payloads is $17 million, subject to price adjustments for late penalties and on-time or early delivery incentives.under certain circumstances. As December 31, 2007,2008, we had made payments totaling approximately $16.1$16.2 million pursuant to this agreement.


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On June 5, 2006, we entered into an agreement with OHB-System AG, an affiliate of OHB Technology A.G., to design, develop and manufacture six satellite buses, integrate such buses with the payloads to be provided by Orbital Sciences Corporation, and launch the six integrated satellites. The original price for the six satellite buses and related integration and launch services iswas $20 million and payments under the agreement are due upon specific milestones achieved by OHB-System AG. If OHB-System AG meets specific on-time delivery milestones, we would be obligated to pay up to an additional $1.0 million. In addition, OHB-SystemOHB System, AG will provide preliminary services relating to the development, demonstration and launch of ourthe Company’s next-generation satellites at a cost of $1.35 million. We hadmillion of which $0.8 million was paid in 2008.
On July 2, 2008, we entered into an agreement with OHB System AG, to amend the option, exercisable on or before June 5, 2007,2006 agreement in connection with the successful launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the five quick-launch satellites on June 19, 2008. Pursuant to require OHB-Systemthe agreement, we and OHB System, AG agreed to design, developa revised schedule of milestone and manufacture uprelated payments for the launch of the five quick-launch satellites and delivery schedule of the sixth quick-launch satellite, with no modification to twothe price in the agreement entered into on June 5, 2006, including certain launch support and in-orbit testing services for the sixth quick-launch satellite. In addition, we agreed to pay an additional satellite buses$0.4 million to OHB System, AG relating to the construction of the five quick-launch satellites. Further, we and integrate two satellite payloads at a costOHB System, AG have also agreed to waive any applicable on-time delivery incentive payments and to waive any applicable liquidating damages, except for any liquidating delay damages with respect to delivery delay of $2.1 million per satellite which expired unexercised. the sixth quick-launch satellite.
As of December 31, 2007,2008, we have made payments totaling $14.6$17.7 million pursuant to this agreement.
Next-generation procurement agreement
On May 5, 2008, we entered into a Procurement Agreement (“the Agreement”) with Sierra Nevada Corporation (“SNC”) pursuant to which SNC will construct eighteen low-earth-orbit satellites in three sets of six satellites (“shipsets”) for our next-generation satellites (the “Initial Satellites”). Under the Agreement, SNC will also provide launch support services, a test satellite (excluding the mechanical structure), a satellite software simulator and the associated ground support equipment. Under the Agreement, we may elect to use the launch option to be offered by SNC or we may contract separately with other providers for launch services and launch insurance for the satellites.
Under the Agreement, we have the option, exercisable at any time until the third anniversary of the execution of the Agreement, to order up to thirty additional satellites substantially identical to the Initial Satellites (the “Optional Satellites”).
The total contract price (for the Initial Satellites) is $117 million, subject to reduction upon failure to achieve certain in-orbit operational milestones with respect to the Initial Satellites or if the pre-ship reviews of each shipset are delayed more than 60 days after the specified time periods described below. We have agreed to pay SNC up to $1.5 million in incentive payments for the successful operation of the Initial Satellites five years following the successful completion of in-orbit testing for the third shipset of six satellites. The price for the Optional Satellites ranges from $5.0 million to $7.7 million per satellite depending on the number of satellites ordered and the timing of the exercise of the option.
The Agreement also requires SNC to complete the pre-ship review of the Initial Satellites (i) no later than 24 months after the execution of the Agreement for the first shipset of six satellites, (ii) no later than 31 months after the execution of the Agreement for the second shipset of six satellites and (iii) no later than 36 months after the execution of the Agreement for the third shipset of six satellites. Payments under the Agreement will begin upon the execution of the Agreement and will extend into the second quarter of 2012, subject to SNC’s successful completion of each payment milestone.


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Under the Agreement, SNC has agreed to provide us with an optional secured credit facility for up to $20.0 million commencing 24 months after the execution of the Agreement and maturing 44 months after the effective date. If we elect to establish and use the credit facility we and SNC will enter into a formal credit facility on terms established in the Agreement.
As December 31, 2008, we had made payments totaling approximately $24.6 million pursuant to this agreement.
We are in discussions with various launch service providers to launch our next-generation satellites, which we expect to enter into in 2009.
Purchase commitment
On August 29, 2008, we entered into an agreement with Delphi Automotive Systems LLC to purchase approximately $4.8 million of a future model of a subscriber communicator over a two-year period beginning once the subscriber communicator model becomes commercially available which is expected to occur within the next twelve months.
Operating leases
Amounts represent future minimum payments under operating leases for our office spaces.
 
Related parties
 
The information in Part III, Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Off- Balance sheet Arrangements
 
None
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), to define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and expand disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 requires quantitative disclosures using a tabular format in all periods (interim and annual) and qualitative disclosures about the valuation techniques used to measure fair value in all annual periods. SFAS 157 will be effective for us beginningOn January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, except with respect to our non financialnon-financial assets and liabilities, for which the effective date is January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 157 for our financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We also do not believe thatexpect the adoption of SFAS 157 willfor our non-financial assets and liabilities is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities(“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 expands opportunities to use fair value measurements in financial reporting and permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. WeHowever, we did not elect the fair value option for any of our eligible financial instruments on the effective date.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51(“ (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 requires that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary be reported as equity and the amount of consolidated net income specifically attributable to the noncontrolling interest be identified in the consolidated financial statements. It also calls for consistency in the manner of reporting changes in the parent’s ownership interest and requires fair value measurement of any noncontrolling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. SFAS 160 is effective for us on January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact SFAS 160 will have on our consolidated financial statements. We will adopt the provisions of SFAS 160 on January 1, 2009 and, beginning with our 2009 interim reporting periods and for prior


61


comparative periods, will present noncontrolling interests (minority interests) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued No. 141 (revised 2007),Business Combinations(“ (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R broadens the guidance of SFAS 141, extending its applicability to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. SFAS 141R expands on required disclosures to improve the statement users’ abilities to evaluate the nature and financial effects of business combinations. SFAS 141R is effective for business combinations entered into by us on or after January 1, 2009. The impact of adopting SFAS 141R will be dependent on the business combinations that we may pursue after its effective date.


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In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). FAS 161 requires expanded qualitative, quantitative and credit-risk disclosures of derivative instruments and hedging activities. These disclosures include more detailed information about gains and losses, location of derivative instruments in financial statements, and credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments. SFAS 161 also clarifies that derivative instruments are subject to concentration of credit risk disclosures under SFAS No. 107,Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. SFAS 161, which applies only to disclosures, is effective for us on January 1, 2009. We do not currently engage in any derivative transactions, and we do not anticipate SFAS 161 will have a significant on our consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Interest rate risk
 
We do not have any material interest rate risk.
 
Effects of inflation risk
 
Overall, we believe that the impact of inflation risk on our business will not be significant.
 
Foreign currency risk
 
We expect that an increasing percentage of our revenues will be derived from sources outside of the United States, which will subject us to foreign currency risk. The majority of our existing contracts require our customers to pay usrevenues and expenses are transacted in U.S. dollars. However,Due to the acquisition of ORBCOMM Japan, we have foreign exchange exposures to non U.S. dollar revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2008, revenues denominated in foreign currencies were approximately 16.8% of total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2008, our licensees, country representatives and resellers generally derive their revenues from their customers outside of the United States in local currencies. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates betweenwould have decreased by approximately 1.5% if the U.S. dollar would have strengthened by 10%.
We have assets and such local currencies could make the cost of our services uneconomic for our customers and we may be required to reduce our rates to make the cost of our services economicalliabilities denominated in certain markets. In addition, currency controls, trade restrictions and other disruptionsforeign currencies. A potential change in the currency convertibility or foreign currency exchange markets could negatively impactfair value of these assets and liabilities from an increase (decrease) of 10% of the abilityU.S. dollar would be an increase (decrease) of our customers to obtain U.S. dollars with which to pay our fees.
It is also possible in the future that we may not be able to contractually require that our service fees be paid in U.S. dollars in which case we will be exposed to foreign currency risks directly.approximately $0.3 million.
 
Concentration of credit risk
 
Our customers are primarily commercial organizations headquartered in the United States. Accounts receivable are generally unsecured. In 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, one customer, GE Equipment Services accounted for 40.3%18.8%, 40.3% and 49.5% of our revenues, respectively. In addition, in 2008, two customers, Caterpillar and 31.4%Hitachi accounted for 10.9% and 14.3% of our revenues, respectively. We have no bad debt expense from this customer. In 2005, we recognized $2.1 million, or 13% of our consolidated revenues, upon installation of a gateway earth station sold pursuant to a contract entered into with LeoSat LLP in 2003.these customers.
 
Vendor risk
 
Currently, substantially all of our subscriber communicators are manufactured by a contract manufacturer, Delphi Automotive Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Delphi Corporation, which is under bankruptcy protection. Our communicators are manufactured by a Delphi affiliate in Mexico, which we do not believe will be impacted by the Delphi bankruptcy.


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Market rate risk
 
As of December 31, 2007,2008, included in cash and cash equivalents are U.S. Treasury Securities totaling $112.4$75.4 million. The primary objectives of our investment activities are to preserve capital, maintain sufficient liquidity to meet operating requirements while at the same time maximizing income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing our risk. Due to the high investment quality and short duration of these U.S. Treasury Securities, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to changes in the fair value as a result of changes in interest rates. Declines in interest rates, however will reduce future income. A hypothetical 1% movement in market interest rates would not have a significant impact on interest income.
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
The consolidated financial statements of ORBCOMM Inc., and subsidiaries including the notes thereto and the report thereon, is presented beginning atpage F-1 of this Annual Report onForm 10-K.
 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
None.


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Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
In connection with preparation of this Annual Report on From10-K, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007.2008. The term “disclosure controls and procedures”, as defined inRules 13a-15(e) and15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007,2008, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange ActRule 13a-15(f). Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework set forth inInternal Control -Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.2008. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20072008 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its attestation report which is included below.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2007,2008, that are materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


63


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ORBCOMM Inc.
 
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of ORBCOMM Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2007,2008, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material


58


weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007,2008, based on the criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007,2008, of the Company and our report dated March 17, 200816, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph which indicates that the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions to adopt the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
March 17, 200816, 2009


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Item 9B.  Other information
 
None.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Identification of Directors
 
Reference is made to the information regarding directors under the heading “Election of Directors (Proposal 1)” in the Proxy Statement for our 20082009 Annual Meeting of stockholders to be held on May 2, 2008,2009, ( the “2008“2009 Proxy Statement”), which information is hereby incorporated by reference.


59


Identification of Executive Officers
 
Reference is made to the information regarding executive officers under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report onForm 10-K.
 
Identification of Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
 
Reference is made to the information regarding directors under the heading “Election of Directors (Proposal 1) Board of Directors and Committees — Audit Committee” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information hereby is incorporated by reference.
 
Material Changes to Procedures for Recommending Directors
 
Reference is made to the information regarding directors under the heading “Election of Directors (Proposal 1)” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
 
Reference is made to the information under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance — Board of Directors and Committees” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Code of Ethics
 
We have adopted a code of ethics, or Code of Business Conduct, to comply with the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq. Our Code of Business Conduct applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer and senior financial officers. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct is maintained on our website at www.orbcomm.com.
 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation
 
Reference is made to the information under the heading “Executive Compensation” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Beneficial Ownership
 
Reference is made to the information under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.


65


Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Reference is made to the information under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Reference is made to the information under the heading “Certain Relationships and Transactions with Related Persons” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Reference is made to the information under the heading “Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal 2) — Principal Accountant Fees” in our 20082009 Proxy Statement, which information is hereby incorporated by reference.


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PART IV
 
Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules
 
(a)(1) Financial Statements
 
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing onpage F-1.
 
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
 
Schedule II- See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing onpage F-1
 
Financial statement schedules not filed herein have been omitted as they are not applicable or the required information or equivalent information has been included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
 
(a)(3) Exhibits
 
See Exhibit Index attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, ORBCOMM Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fort Lee, State of New Jersey, on March 17, 2008.16, 2009.
 
ORBCOMM Inc.
 
 By: /s/  Jerome B.Marc J. Eisenberg
Jerome B.Marc J. Eisenberg
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and President
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on March 17, 200816, 2009 by the following persons in the capacities indicated:
 
     
Signature
 
Title
 
   
/s/  Marc J. Eisenberg

Marc J. Eisenberg
Chief Executive Officer and President and Director
(principal executive officer)
/s/  Jerome B. Eisenberg

Jerome B. Eisenberg
 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Director (principal executive officer)
   
/s/  Marco Fuchs*

Marco Fuchs
 Director
   
/s/  Didier Delepine*

Didier Delepine
 Director
   
/s/  John Major*

John Major
 Director
   
/s/  Hans E.W. Hoffmann*

Hans E.W. Hoffmann
 Director
   
/s/  Gary H. Ritondaro*

Gary H. Ritondaro
 Director
   
/s/  Marc J. EisenbergTimothy Kelleher*

Marc J. EisenbergTimothy Kelleher
 Director
   
/s/  Robert G. Costantini

Robert G. Costantini
 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
     
*By: 
/s/  Christian G. LeBrun

Christian G. LeBrun,Attorney-in-Fact**
  
 
**By authority of the power of attorney filed as Exhibit 24 hereto.


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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     
  Page
 
  F-2 
  F-3 
  F-4 
  F-5 
  F-6 
  F-7 
  F-37F-36 


F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ORBCOMM Inc.
Fort Lee, New Jersey
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ORBCOMM Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007.2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007,2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions to adopt the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB No. 109,effective January 1, 2007, and its method of accounting for stock-based compensation to adopt the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R),Share-Based Payment,effective January 1, 2006.2007.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007,2008, based on the criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 17, 200816, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
New York, New York
March 17, 200816, 2009


F-2


ORBCOMM Inc.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
 
                
 December 31,  December 31, 
 2007 2006  2008 2007 
ASSETS
ASSETS
ASSETS
Current assets:
                
Cash and cash equivalents $115,587  $62,139  $75,370  $115,587 
Marketable securities     38,850 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $388 and $297  5,284   5,185 
Restricted cash  2,000    
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $227 and $388  3,750   5,284 
Inventories  2,722   3,528   1,421   2,722 
Advances to contract manufacturer  158   177 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,078   1,354   4,160   1,236 
          
Total current assets  124,829   111,233   86,701   124,829 
Long-term receivable  542   372      542 
Satellite network and other equipment, net  49,704   29,131   93,290   49,704 
Intangible assets, net  5,572   7,058   4,086   5,572 
Restricted cash  3,680    
Inventories  2,126    
Other assets  992   299   1,484   992 
Deferred tax asset  184    
Deferred tax assets     184 
          
Total assets
 $181,823  $148,093  $191,367  $181,823 
          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                
Accounts payable $4,373  $3,438  $8,529  $4,373 
Accrued liabilities  12,305   4,915   7,359   12,305 
Current portion of deferred revenue  1,435   2,083   3,577   1,435 
          
Total current liabilities  18,113   10,436   19,465   18,113 
Note payable — related party  1,170   879   1,244   1,170 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  1,507   8,066   7,607   1,507 
Other liability  184         184 
          
Total liabilities  20,974   19,381   28,316   20,974 
          
Minority interest  1,446    
Commitments and contingencies
                
Stockholders’ equity:
                
Common stock, par value $0.001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 41,658,066 and 36,923,715 shares issued and outstanding  42   37 
Common stock, par value $0.001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 42,101,834 and        
41,658,066 shares issued and outstanding  42   42 
Additional paid-in capital  224,899   188,917   229,001   224,899 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (656)  (395)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  538   (656)
Accumulated deficit  (63,436)  (59,847)  (67,976)  (63,436)
          
Total stockholders’ equity  160,849   128,712   161,605   160,849 
          
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 $181,823  $148,093  $191,367  $181,823 
          
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-3


ORBCOMM Inc.
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
                        
 Years ended December 31,  Years ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Revenues:
                        
Service revenues $17,717  $11,561  $7,804  $23,812  $17,717  $11,561 
Product sales  10,435   12,959   7,723   6,280   10,435   12,959 
              
Total revenues  28,152   24,520   15,527   30,092   28,152   24,520 
              
Costs and expenses(1):
                        
Costs of services  7,990   8,714   6,223   9,800   7,990   8,714 
Costs of product sales  10,078   12,092   6,459   6,110   10,078   12,092 
Selling, general and administrative  17,687   15,731   9,344   18,927   17,687   15,731 
Product development  1,060   1,814   1,341   1,122   1,060   1,814 
Gains on customer claims settlements  (1,368)      
              
Total costs and expenses  36,815   38,351   23,367   34,591   36,815   38,351 
              
Loss from operations
  (8,663)  (13,831)  (7,840)  (4,499)  (8,663)  (13,831)
Other income (expense):
                        
Interest income  5,258   2,582   66   1,599   5,258   2,582 
Other income  25   271    
Interest expense, including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount of $31 in 2005  (209)  (237)  (308)
Loss on extinguishment of debt        (1,016)
Other income (expense)  (842)  25   271 
Interest expense  (199)  (209)  (237)
              
Total other income (expense)  5,074   2,616   (1,258)  558   5,074   2,616 
              
Pre-control earnings of consolidated subsidiary  (128)      
Minority interest  (471)      
       
Net loss
 $(3,589) $(11,215) $(9,098) $(4,540) $(3,589) $(11,215)
              
Net loss applicable to common shares (Note 5)
 $(3,589) $(29,646) $(14,248)
Net loss applicable to common shares (Note 6)
 $(4,540) $(3,589) $(29,646)
              
Net loss per common share:
                        
Basic and diluted $(0.09) $(2.80) $(2.51) $(0.11) $(0.09) $(2.80)
              
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                        
Basic and diluted  39,706   10,601   5,683   41,984   39,706   10,601 
              
(1) Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses:
                        
Costs of services $383  $425  $7  $119  $383  $425 
Costs of product sales  116   71      63   116   71 
Selling, general and administrative  3,878   3,355   183   3,467   3,878   3,355 
Product development  68   94   11   57   68   94 
              
 $4,445  $3,945  $201  $3,706  $4,445  $3,945 
              
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-4


ORBCOMM Inc.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
 
                        
 Years ended December 31,  Years ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                        
Net loss $(3,589) $(11,215) $(9,098) $(4,540) $(3,589) $(11,215)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                        
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts  91   (374)  82   (161)  91   (374)
Inventory impairments     361   115   46      361 
Depreciation and amortization  2,415   2,373   1,982   3,236   2,415   2,373 
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount        31 
Accretion on note payable — related party  131   131   33   131   131   131 
Loss on extinguishment of debt        1,016 
Stock-based compensation  4,445   3,945   201   3,706   4,445   3,945 
Foreign exchange losses (gains)  839   (23)  (262)
Loss on disposal of equipment  13       
Pre-control earnings of consolidated subsidiary and minority interest  599       
Non-cash portion of gains on customer claims settlements  (882)      
Gain on expiration of gateway purchase option  (325)      
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:                        
Accounts receivable  (360)  (1,161)  1,014   3,142   (360)  (1,161)
Inventories  806   (1,964)  (642)  (504)  806   (1,964)
Advances to contract manufacturer  19   524   3,046 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (417)  (95)  (366)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (685)  (398)  429 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  207   (2,913)  2,902   (1,665)  230   (2,651)
Deferred revenue  21   1,522   3,325   997   21   1,522 
              
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  3,769   (8,866)  3,641   3,947   3,769   (8,866)
              
Cash flows from investing activities:
                        
Capital expenditures  (20,043)  (22,357)  (4,066)  (40,289)  (20,043)  (22,357)
Purchases of marketable securities  (58,325)  (43,850)        (58,325)  (43,850)
Sales of marketable securities  97,175   5,000         97,175   5,000 
Contingent purchase price payment made in connection with the acquisition of Satcom International Group plc     (3,631)           (3,631)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired        33 
Increase in restricted cash  (5,680)      
Cash acquired from step acquisition of subsidiary  366       
              
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  18,807   (64,838)  (4,033)  (45,603)  18,807   (64,838)
              
Cash flows from financing activities:
                        
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with initial public offering, net of underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering costs of $11,447     90,092            90,092 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with secondary public offering, net of underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering costs of $3,318  31,010       
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with secondary            
public offering, net of underwriters’ discounts and commissions and            
offering costs of $3,318     31,010    
Proceeds from issuance of Series B preferred stock, net of issuance costs of $113 and $4,328     1,465   41,702         1,465 
Proceeds from issuance of 10% convertible bridge notes        25,019 
Proceeds from exercise of warrants and options  572   1,558      342   572   1,558 
Payment made to holders of Series B preferred stock for consent to the automatic conversion into common stock in connection with the initial public offering     (10,111)           (10,111)
Payment of Series A preferred stock dividends     (8,027)           (8,027)
Payment of Series B preferred stock dividends     (7,467)           (7,467)
Payment of offering costs in connection with initial public offering  (609)           (609)   
Payments for deferred financing costs        (1,047)
Payment of offering costs in connection with secondary public offering  (40)      
              
Net cash provided by financing activities  30,973   67,510   65,674   302   30,973   67,510 
              
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
  (101)  (330)  65   1,137   (101)  (330)
              
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  53,448   (6,524)  65,347   (40,217)  53,448   (6,524)
Cash and cash equivalents:
                        
Beginning of year  62,139   68,663   3,316   115,587   62,139   68,663 
              
End of year $115,587  $62,139  $68,663  $75,370  $115,587  $62,139 
              
Supplemental cash flow disclosures (Note 17):
            
Interest paid $  $  $187 
       
Supplemental cash flow disclosures (Note 19)
            
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-5


ORBCOMM Inc.
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005
2006
(in thousands, except share data)
 
                                                      
       Accumulated
              Accumulated
       
     Additional
 other
   Total
        Additional
 other
   Total
   
 Common Stock paid-in
 comprehensive
 Accumulated
 stockholders’
 Comprehensive
  Common stock paid-in
 comprehensive
 Accumulated
 stockholders’
 Comprehensive
 
 Shares Amount capital income (loss) deficit equity (deficit) loss  Shares Amount capital income (loss) deficit equity loss 
Balances, January 1, 2006
  5,690,017  $6  $5,882  $90  $(48,632) $(42,654)    
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs        (854)        (854)    
Series B preferred stock dividend        (7,467)        (7,467)    
Initial public offering of common stock, net of underwriters’                            
discounts and commissions and offering costs  9,230,800   9   89,473         89,482     
Conversion of convertible reedemable Series A                            
and B preferred stock into common stock  21,383,318   21   106,492         106,513     
Consent payment to holders of Series B preferred stock                            
for the automatic conversion into common stock in                            
connection with IPO        (10,111)        (10,111)    
Exercise of warrants  619,580   1   1,557         1,558     
Stock-based compensation        3,945         3,945     
Net loss              (11,215)  (11,215) $(11,215)
Cumulative translation adjustment           (485)     (485)  (485)
                
Balances, January 1, 2005
  5,657,934  $6  $10,695  $  $(39,534) $(28,833)    
                          $(11,700)
Common stock issued  32,083      136         136     
    
Accrued Series A preferred stock dividends        (4,709)        (4,709)    
 
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs        (441)        (441)    
 
Balances, December 31, 2006
  36,923,715   37   188,917   (395)  (59,847)  128,712     
Secondary public offering of common stock, net of underwriters’                            
discounts and commissions and offering costs  2,985,000   3   30,967         30,970     
Exercise of warrants and options  1,419,230   2   570         572     
Vesting of restricted stock units  330,121                    
Stock-based compensation        201         201             4,445         4,445     
 
Net loss              (9,098)  (9,098) $(9,098)              (3,589)  (3,589) $(3,589)
 
Cumulative translation adjustment           90      90   90            (261)     (261)  (261)
                              
                          $(3,850)
                         $(9,008)   
                               
 
Balances, December 31, 2005
  5,690,017   6   5,882   90   (48,632)  (42,654)    
 
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs        (854)        (854)    
 
Series B preferred stock dividend        (7,467)        (7,467)    
 
Initial public offering of common stock, net of underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering costs  9,230,800   9   89,473         89,482     
 
Conversion of convertible reedemable Series A and B preferred stock into common stock  21,383,318   21   106,492         106,513     
 
Consent payment to holders of Series B preferred stock for the automatic conversion into common stock in connection with IPO        (10,111)        (10,111)    
 
Exercise of warrants  619,580   1   1,557         1,558     
 
Balances, December 31, 2007
  41,658,066   42   224,899   (656)  (63,436)  160,849     
Exercise of warrants and options  187,270      342         342     
Vesting of restricted stock units  256,498                    
Stock-based compensation        3,945         3,945             3,760         3,760     
 
Net loss              (11,215)  (11,215) $(11,215)              (4,540)  (4,540) $(4,540)
 
Cumulative translation adjustment           (485)     (485)  (485)           1,194      1,194   1,194 
                              
                          $(3,346)
                         $(11,700)   
Balances, December 31, 2008
  42,101,834  $42  $229,001  $538  $(67,976) $161,605     
                
 
Balances, December 31, 2006
  36,923,715   37   188,917   (395)  (59,847)  128,712     
 
Secondary public offering of common stock, net of underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering costs  2,985,000   3   30,967         30,970     
 
Exercise of warrants and options  1,419,230   2   570         572     
 
Vesting of restricted stock units  330,121                    
 
Stock-based compensation        4,445         4,445     
 
Net loss              (3,589)  (3,589) $(3,589)
 
Cumulative translation adjustment           (261)     (261)  (261)
               
 
                         $(3,850)
   
 
Balances, December 31, 2007
  41,658,066  $42  $224,899  $(656) $(63,436) $160,849     
             
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-6


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 1.  Organization and Business
 
ORBCOMM Inc. (“ORBCOMM” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a satellite-based data communicationcommunications company that operates a two-way global wireless data messaging system optimized for narrowband data communication. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company began providing terrestrial-based cellular communication services. The Company provides these terrestrial services through a re-seller agreementreseller agreements with a major cellular wireless provider. These terrestrial-based cellular communications services commenced in the third quarter of 2007 and revenues from such services were not significant in 2007.providers. The Company provides these services through a constellation of 2927 owned and operated low-Earth orbit satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure through which small, low power, fixed or mobile satellite subscriber communicators (“Communicators”) and cellular wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS, connected to the cellular wireless provider’s network, that can be connected to other public or private networks, including the Internet and the cellular wireless provider’s networks (collectively, the “ORBCOMM System”). The ORBCOMM System is designed to enable businesses and government agencies to track, monitor, control and communicate with fixed and mobile assets located nearly anywhere in the world.assets.
 
The Company was formed in October 2003. On February 17, 2004, the members of ORBCOMM LLC contributed all of their outstanding membership interests to the Company in exchange for shares of common stock of the Company, representing ownership interests in the Company equal in proportion to the prior ownership interests of ORBCOMM LLC. As a result, ORBCOMM LLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (such transaction, in combination with the issuances of Series A preferred stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement is referred to as the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was accounted for as a reverse acquisition of the Company by ORBCOMM LLC. Accordingly, the historical consolidated financial statements of ORBCOMM LLC became the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company
Note 2.  Public Offerings
 
On November 8, 2006, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 9,230,800 shares of common stock at a price of $11.00 per share. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $89,500 from the IPO after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering costs in the aggregate amount of $11,447. From the net proceeds, the Company paid accumulated and unpaid dividends totaling $7,467 to the holders of Series B preferred stock, contingent purchase price consideration of $3,631 relating to the Satcom acquisition (see Note 6)7) and a consent fee of $10,111 to the holders of Series B preferred stock (see Note 12)14). All outstanding shares of Series A and B preferred stock automatically converted into an aggregate of 21,383,318 shares of common stock upon completion of the IPO.
 
On May 31, 2007, the Company closedcompleted a secondary public offering of 8,050,000 shares of its Common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. An aggregate of 2,985,000 shares of common stock were sold by the Company and 5,065,000 shares were sold by certain stockholders of the Company, which included 1,050,000 shares sold upon full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $30,970, after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering costs of $3,358 of which $40 has not been paid as of December 31, 2007.$3,358. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the shares of common stock sold by the selling stockholders (see Note 12)14).
 
The Company has incurred losses from inception including a net loss $3,589$4,540 in 20072008 and as of December 31, 2007,2008, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $63,436.$67,976. As of December 31, 2007,2008, the Company’s primary source of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents, which the Company believes will be sufficient to provide working capital and fund capital expenditures including the deployment of its quick-launch satellites and investments inmilestone payments for its next-generation satellites for at least the next twelve months.


F-7


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Note 3.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly ownedwholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and investments in variable interest entities in which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The portions of majority-owned subsidiaries that the Company does not own are reflected as minority interests in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
Investments in entities over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not have a controlling interest are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company considers several factors in determining whether it has the ability to exercise significant influence with respect to investments, including, but not limited to, direct and indirect ownership level in the voting securities, active participation on the board of directors, approval of operating and budgeting decisions and other participatory and protective rights. Under the equity method, the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of such investee is reflected in the Company’s consolidated results of operations. Although the Company owns interests in companies that it


F-7


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
accounts for pursuant to the equity method, the investments in those entities had no carrying value as of December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007. The Company has no guarantees or other funding obligations to those entities, and the Company had no equity in the earnings or losses of those investees for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005.2006. Non-controlling interests in companies are accounted for by the cost method where the Company does not exercise significant influence over the investee. The Company’s cost basis investments had no carrying value as of December 31, 20072008 and 2006.2007.
 
Use of estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses at the date of the consolidated financial statements and during the reporting periods, and to disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates relate to the allowances for doubtful accounts, the useful lives and impairment of the Company’s satellite network and other equipment including the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and its quick-launch satellites, license rights, inventory valuation, the fair value of acquired assets, the fair value of securities underlying share-based payment arrangements, uncertain tax positions and the realization of deferred tax assets.
 
Revenue recognition
 
Product revenues are derived from sales of Communicators, SIMS, and other equipment such as gateway earth stations and gateway control centers to customers. The Company derives service revenues from both the utilization of Communicators on the ORBCOMM System and the reselling of airtime from the utilization of SIMS on the ORBCOMM Systemcellular providers’ wireless network from its resellers (i.e., its value added resellers, (“VARs”), international value added resellers, (“IVARs”), international licensees and country representatives) and direct customers and reselling of airtime using the cellular provider’s wireless network.customers. These service revenues consist of subscriber-based and recurring monthly usage fees and generally a one-time activation fee for each Communicator and SIMS activated for use. Usage fees charged to customers are based upon the number, size and frequency of data transmitted by a customer and the overall number of Communicators and SIMS activated by each customer. Usage fees charged to the Company’s VARs, IVARs, international licensees and country representativesresellers are charged primarily based on the overall number of Communicators and SIMS activated by the VAR, IVAR, international licensee or country representativeresellers and the total amount of data transmitted by their customers.
The Company also earns service revenues from providing engineering, technical and management support services to customers, and a one-time royalty fee relating to the manufacture of Communicators from third parties under a manufacturing agreement.
 
Revenues generated from the sale of Communicators, SIMS and other products are either recognized when the products are shipped or when customers accept the products, depending on the specific contractual terms. Sales of


F-8


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Communicators, SIMS and other products are not subject to return and title and risk of loss pass to the customer at the time of shipment. Sales of SIMS are subject to return and title and risk of loss pass to the customer at the time of shipment as the Company does not have a sufficient historical experience on which to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of SIMS returns that will occur, accordingly revenues on the sales of SIMS is deferred until the return privilege has substantially expired. Sales of Communicators and SIMS are primarily to VARsresellers and IVARs are not bundled with services arrangements. Revenues from sales of gateway earth stations and related products are recognized upon customer acceptance. Revenues from the activation of both Communicators and SIMS are initially recorded as deferred revenues and are, thereafter, recognized ratably over the term of the agreement with the customer, generally three years. Revenues generated from monthly usage and administrative fees and engineering services are recognized when the services are rendered. Revenues generated from royalties relating to the manufacture of Communicators by third parties are recognized when the third party notifies the Company of the units it has manufactured and a unique serial number is assigned to each unit by the Company.
 
Amounts received prior to the performance of services under customer contracts are recognized as deferred revenues and revenue recognition is deferred until such time that all revenue recognition criteria have been met.
 
For arrangements with multiple obligations (e.g., deliverable and undeliverable products, and other post-contract support), the Company allocates revenues to each component of the contract based on objective evidence


F-8


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
of its fair value.value in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force IssueNo. 00-21Revenue Arrangements With Multiple Deliverables. The Company recognizes revenues allocated to undelivered products when the criteria for product revenues set forth above are met. If objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered obligations is not available, the arrangement consideration allocable to a delivered item is combined with the amount allocable to the undelivered item(s) within the arrangement. Revenues are recognized as the remaining obligations are fulfilled.
 
During 2004, the Company entered into a contract with the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) to design, develop, launch and operate a single satellite equipped with the capability to receive, process and forward Automatic Identification Systems (“AIS”) data (the “Concept Validation Project”). Under the terms of the agreement, title to the Concept Validation Project demonstration satellite (also called the Coast Guard demonstration satellite) remains with the Company, however the USCG was granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the designs, software processes and procedures developed under the contract in connection with any future Company satellites that are AIS enabled. The Company is permitted to use the Concept Validation Project satellite to provide services to other customers. The agreement also provides for post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services to be provided by the Company to the USCG for an initial term of 14 months.
On June 19, 2008, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite was launched. In August 2008, the USCG accepted the AIS data and elected to receive the initial post-launch maintenance for $380 and AIS data transmission services for $198. At that time, the Company placed the Coast Guard demonstration satellite in service and began to recognize revenues. On September 30, 2008, the USCG exercised its option to increase the AIS data transmission services to $575. At its option, the USCG may elect to receive post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services for up to an additional 18 months subsequent to the initial term.
Because no tangible deliverable other than services will be provided to the USCG and the Company retains title to the Concept Validation Project satellite, the arrangement is accounted for as a long-term service arrangement. The deliverables under the agreement with the USCG do not qualify as separate units of accounting. Commencing with acceptance of the AIS data by the USCG in August 2008, the revenues related to the design and development of the satellite, initial post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services are being recognized ratably over six years, the expected life of the customer relationship. At its option, the USCG may elect to receive subsequent maintenance and AIS data transmission services. These services, if accepted by the USCG, will be recognized ratably over the remaining expected life of the customer relationship.
Out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the performance of professional service contracts are included in costs of services and any amounts re-billed to clientscustomers are included in revenues during the period in which they are incurred. Shipping costs billed to customers are included in product sales revenues and the related costs are included as costs of product sales.
The Company, on occasion, issues options to purchase its equity securities or the equity securities of its subsidiaries, or issues shares of its common stock as an incentive in soliciting sales commitments from its customers. The grant date fair value of such equity instruments is recorded as a reduction of revenues on a pro-rata basis as products or services are delivered under the sales arrangement.
 
Costs of revenues
 
Costs of product sales includes the purchase price of products sold, shipping charges, payroll and payroll related costs, including stock-based compensation for employees who are directly associated with fulfilling product sales and depreciation and amortization of assets used to deliver products. Costs of services is comprised of usage fees to cellular wireless providers for terrestrial-based cellular communications services payroll and related costs, including stock-based compensation, materials and supplies, depreciation and amortization of assets used to provide services.
 
Foreign currency translation
 
The Company has foreign operations where the functional currency has been determined to beis the local currency. For operations where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated usingend-of-period exchange rates; revenues, expenses and cash flows are translated using average rates of exchange. For these operations, currency translation adjustments are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Transaction Foreign currency transaction


F-9


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
gains and losses related to assets and liabilities that are recognizeddenominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in other income (expense) in the determinationconsolidated statements of net income or loss.operations. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $839. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded foreign exchange gains of $23 and $262, respectively.
 
Fair value of financial instruments
 
The carrying value of the Company’s short-term financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated their fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.


F-9


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
There is no market value information available for the Company’s long-term receivables and a reasonable estimate could not be made without incurring excessive costs.
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, at the time of purchase, to be cash equivalents.
Marketable securities
Marketable securities consist of floating rate redeemable municipal debt securities which have stated maturities ranging from twenty to forty years. The Company classifies these securities as available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and at each balance sheet date. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, if any, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. Interest received on these securities is included in interest income. Realized gains or losses upon disposition of available-for-sale securities are included in other income. As of December 31, 2007, the Company did not have any marketable securities. As of December 31, 2006, the fair value of these securities approximates cost.
 
Concentration of risk
 
The Company’s customers are primarily commercial organizations headquartered in the United States. Accounts receivable are generally unsecured.
 
Accounts receivable are due in accordance with payment terms included in contracts negotiated with customers. Amounts due from customers are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts are past due, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligations to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes-off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible.
 
Long-term receivables represent amounts due from the sale of products and services to customers that are collateralized by assets whose estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value of the receivables. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had outstanding long-term receivables of nil and $542, respectively.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, one customer comprised 40.3%, 49.5%, 31.4% of revenues, respectively. During 2005, a second customer comprised 13.5% of revenues, resulting from the sale of a gateway earth station to that customer. At December 31,2008, 2007 and 2006, one customer comprised 18.8%, 40.3% and 49.5% of revenues, respectively. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, this customer accounted for 42.8%12.7% and 60.3%42.8% of accounts receivable, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2008 a second customer comprised 14.3% of revenues. As of December 31, 2008 this customer accounted for 15.1% of accounts receivable. During the year ended December 31, 2008, a third customer comprised 10.9% of revenues. At December 31, 2008, this customer accounted for less than 10% of accounts receivable.
 
A significant portion of the Company’s Communicators are manufactured under a contract with Delphi Automotive Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Delphi Corporation, which is under bankruptcy protection. The Communicators are manufactured by a Delphi affiliate in Mexico, which the Company does not believe will be impacted by the Delphi bankruptcy. As of December 31, 2007,2008, there has been no interruption to the supply of Communicators from Delphi.
 
The Company does not currently maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for its satellites launched before 2008 to address the risk of potential systemic anomalies, failures or catastrophic events affecting the existing satellite constellation. If the Company experiences significant uninsured losses, such events could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on afirst-in, first-out basis. Inventory represents finished goods available for sale to customers. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities ondoes maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and its five quick-launch satellites launched in June 2008, which expires in June 2009. This insurance coverage is subject to certain exclusions and limitations including a one-satellite deductible.


F-10


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or fair value, determined on afirst-in, first-out basis. Inventory consists primarily of finished goods available for sale to customers. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and evaluates the realizability of inventories and adjusts the carrying value of excess and obsolete inventoryas necessary based on historical demand, as well as an estimated forecast offorecasted product demand. Inventories in excess or one year’s supply are classified as long-term.
At December 31, 2008, the Company holds $332 of component parts inventory at the manufacturing facility of its principal supplier. These component parts inventory are included in long-term inventory.
Impairment charges for excess and obsolete inventory are recorded in costs of product sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and amounted to approximately $361$46, nil and $115$361 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and 2005.respectively.
 
Satellite network and other equipment
 
Satellite network and other equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized once an asset is placed in service using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their useful life or their respective lease term.
 
Satellite network includes costs of the constellation of satellites, and the ground and control segments, consisting of gateway earth stations, gateway control centers and the network control center (the “Ground Segment”).
 
Assets under construction primarily consistsconsist of milestone payments pursuant to procurement agreements, which includes the design, development, launch and other direct costs relating to the design, development and launchconstruction of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, payload, bus and launch procurement agreements for the quick-launch satellites and other related costs, design of the next-generation satellites and upgrades to the Company’s infrastructure and the Ground Segment. At December 31, 2008, assets under construction includes approximately $41,658 of costs associated with the Company’s quick-launch satellites which were launched in June 2008 and are currently undergoing in-orbit testing. These satellites will be place in service upon completion of in-orbit testing. Once these assets are placed in service they will be transferred to satellite network and then depreciation will be recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets. No depreciation has been recorded on these assets as of December 31, 2007.2008.
 
The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to operations as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.
 
Capitalized development costs
 
The Company capitalizes the costs of acquiring, developing and testing software to meet the Company’s internal needs. Capitalization of costs associated with software obtained or developed for internal use commences when both the preliminary project stage is completed and management has authorized further funding for the project, based on a determination that it is probable that the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalized costs include only (1) external direct cost of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software, and (2) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with and devote time to the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Internal use software costs are amortized once the software is placed in service using the straight-line method over periods ranging from three to five years. Capitalized internal use software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets.


F-11


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Intangible assets
 
Intangible assets consist primarily of licenses acquired from affiliates to market and resell the Company’s services in certain foreign geographic areas and related regulatory approvals to allow the Company to provide its services in various countries and territories. The Company’s intangible assets also include acquired intellectual property related to the manufacture of Communicators. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Intangible assets are stated at their acquisition cost less accumulated amortization. The Company does not have any indefinite lived intangible assets at December 31, 20072008 and 2006.


F-11


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
2007.
 
Impairment of long-lived assets
 
The Company’s reviews its long-lived assets and amortizable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In connection with this review, the Company also reevaluatesre-evaluates the periods of depreciation and amortization for these assets. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be realized from the asset is less than its carrying amount. If an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is determined using the present value of net future operating cash flows to be generated by the asset.
 
Debt issuance costs and debt discount
Loan fees and other costs incurred in connection with the issuance of notes payable are deferred and amortized over the term of the related loan using the effective interest method. Such amortization is reported as a component of interest expense.
The Company accounts for the intrinsic value of beneficial conversion rights arising from the issuance of convertible debt instruments with conversion rights that are “in-the-money” at the commitment date pursuant to Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) IssueNo. 98-5 and EITF IssueNo. 00-27. Such value is measured based on the relative fair value of the detachable convertible instrument and the associated debt and is allocated to additionalpaid-in-capital and recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related debt. The intrinsic value of beneficial conversion rights is amortized to interest expense from the issuance date through the earliest date the underlying debt instrument can be converted, using the effective interest method.
Warrants, or any other detachable instruments issued in connection with debt financing agreements are valued using the relative fair value method and allocated to additional paid-in capital and recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related debt. This discount is amortized to interest expense from the issuance date through the maturity date of the debt using the effective interest method.
If debt is repaid, or converted into preferred or common stock, prior to the full amortization of the related issuance costs, beneficial conversion rights or debt discount, the remaining balance of such items is recorded as loss on extinguishment of debt in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Prepaid interest associated with notes payable is recognized based on the terms of the related notes, generally in the first interest periods of the notes.
Convertible redeemable preferred stock
 
At the time of issuance, preferred stock is recorded at its gross proceeds less issuance costs. The carrying value is increased to the redemption value using the effective interest method over the period from the date of issuance to the earliest date of redemption. The carrying value of preferred stock is also increased by cumulative unpaid dividends. At December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007, the Company did not have any issued and outstanding convertible redeemable preferred stock.
 
Income taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes, (“(“SFAS 109”). Under SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when realization of deferred tax assets is not considered more likely than not.


F-12


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“(“FIN 48”)an interpretation of SFAS 109109.. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109 and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. As of January 1, 2007, the Company had no significant unrecognized tax benefits.
 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
 
Loss contingencies
 
The Company accrues for costs relating to litigation, claims and other contingent matters when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Actual amounts paid may differ from amounts estimated, and such differences will be charged to operations in the period in which the final determination of the liability is made.


F-12


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Stock-based compensation
 
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004),Share-Based Payment(“SFAS 123(R)”), which requires the measurement and recognition of stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values.
 
The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, stock-based compensation expense recognized subsequent to January 1, 2006 includes stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation(“SFAS No. 123”) and stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value, estimated in accordance with provisions of SFAS 123(R).
 
SFAS 123(R) requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all shared-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. For awards with performance conditions, an evaluation is made at the grant date and future periods as to the likelihood of the performance criteria being met. Compensation expense is adjusted in future periods for subsequent changes in the expected outcome of the performance conditions until the vesting date. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. In the Company’s pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for the period prior to January 1, 2006 (see note 4), the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123(R).
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation arrangements with employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, using the intrinsic value method of accounting which requires charges to stock-based compensation expense for the excess, if any, of the fair value of the underlying stock at the date an employee stock option is granted (or at an appropriate subsequent measurement date) over the amount the employee must pay to acquire the stock. For the year ended December 31, 2005 , the Company recorded the intrinsic value per share as stock-based compensation over the applicable vesting period, using the straight-line method. Stock-based awards to nonemployees prior to January 1, 2006 were accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and EITF IssueNo. 96-18,Accounting for Equity Instruments Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services.


F-13


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Recent accounting pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements (“(“SFAS 157”), to define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expand disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 requires quantitative disclosures using a tabular format in all periods (interim and annual) and qualitative disclosures about the valuation techniques used to measure fair value in all annual periods. SFAS 157 will be effective forOn January 1, 2008, the Company beginning January 1, 2008,adopted SFAS 157 except with respect to its nonfinancialnon-financial assets and liabilities for which the effective date is January 1, 2009. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 157 willfor the Company’s financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The adoption of FAS 157 for its non-financial assets and liabilities is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities(“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 expands opportunities to use fair value measurements in financial reporting and permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company adopted SFAS 159 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The2008, however the Company did not elect the fair value option for any of its eligible financial instruments on the effective date.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51(“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 requires that a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) in a subsidiary be reported as equity and the amount of consolidated net income specifically attributable to the noncontrolling interest be identified in the consolidated financial statements. It also calls for consistency in the manner of reporting changes in the parent’s ownership interest and requires fair value measurement of any noncontrolling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS 160 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating2009 and, beginning with the impact SFAS 160Company’s 2009 interim reporting periods and for prior comparative periods, will have on its consolidated financial statements.present noncontrolling interests (minority interests) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued No. 141 (revised 2007),Business Combinations(“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R broadens the guidance of SFAS 141, extending its applicability to all transactions and other events in


F-13


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. SFAS 141R expands on required disclosures to improve the statement users’ abilities to evaluate the nature and financial effects of business combinations. SFAS 141R is effective for business combinations entered into by the Company on or after January 1, 2009. The impact of adopting SFAS 141R will be dependent on the business combinations that the Company may pursue after its effective date.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133(“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires expanded qualitative, quantitative and credit-risk disclosures of derivative instruments and hedging activities. These disclosures include more detailed information about gains and losses, location of derivative instruments in financial statements, and credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments. SFAS 161 also clarifies that derivative instruments are subject to concentration of credit risk disclosures under SFAS 107,Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. SFAS 161, which applies only to disclosures, is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company does not currently engage in any derivative transactions, and the Company does not anticipate SFAS 161 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 4.  ORBCOMM Japan
On March 25, 2008, the Company received a 37% equity interest in ORBCOMM Japan with an estimated fair value of $640 and cash of $602 in satisfaction of claims against ORBCOMM Japan. The distribution was pursuant to a voluntary reorganization of ORBCOMM Japan in accordance with a rehabilitation plan approved by the Tokyo district court on December 25, 2007.
The Company and ORBCOMM Japan are parties to a service license agreement, pursuant to which ORBCOMM Japan acts as a country representative and resells the Company’s services in Japan. ORBCOMM Japan owns a gateway earth station in Japan, holds the regulatory authority and authorization to operate the gateway earth station and provides the Company’s satellite communication services in Japan.
The consideration the Company received for settlement of claims against ORBCOMM Japan exceeded the $366 carrying value of current and long-term receivables from ORBCOMM Japan by $876 and the Company recognized a gain for the same amount in the first quarter of 2008.
The Company’s aggregate claims against ORBCOMM Japan totaled approximately $2,910, of which $2,410 related to amounts owed to the Company pursuant to a change in control payment provision in the service license agreement that was triggered by a change in control of ORBCOMM Japan prior to the reorganization. The Company had not previously recognized any amounts in its financial statements related to the change in control provision because it believed that the collection of the change in control payment was not reasonably assured. ORBCOMM Japan’s results of operations were not significant for the period from March 25, 2008 through March 31, 2008.
On May 12, 2008, the Company entered into an amended service license agreement with ORBCOMM Japan, which expires in June 2018. On May 15, 2008, in consideration for entering into the amended service license agreement, the Company received 616 newly issued shares of common stock from ORBCOMM Japan representing an additional 14% equity interest and the Company recognized a gain of $242 during the three months ended June 30, 2008. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest in ORBCOMM Japan increased to 51%. On June 9, 2008, the Company and the minority stockholder entered into an agreement, which terminated the minority stockholder’s substantive participatory rights in the governance of ORBCOMM Japan and resulted in the Company obtaining a controlling interest in ORBCOMM Japan.
As the 51% interest in ORBCOMM Japan was acquired in two transactions during 2008, the Company has accounted for this transaction using the step acquisition method prescribed by Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements (“ARB 51”). As permitted by ARB 51, the Company consolidated ORBCOMM


F-14


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Japan’s results of operations as though the controlling interest was acquired on April 1, 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company deducted in its consolidated statement of operations $128 of pre-control earnings of ORBCOMM Japan for the period prior to the termination of the minority stockholder’s substantive participatory rights on June 9, 2008 and $471 for the year ended December 31, 2008, has been recognized as minority interest for the 49% interest in ORBCOMM Japan held by the minority stockholders for the period after the change in control.
Note 4.5.  Stock-based Compensation
 
The Company’s share-based compensation plans consist of its 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan (the “2006 LTIP”) and its 2004 Stock Option Plan. As of December 31, 2007,2008, there were 3,512,6202,136,541 shares available for grant under the 2006 LTIP and no shares were available for grant under the 2004 stock option plan.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $3,706, $4,445 and $3,945, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company capitalized stock-based compensation of $54 to satellite network and $201, respectively.other equipment. The Company has not recognized and does not expect to recognize in the foreseeable future, any tax benefit related to stock-based compensation as a result of the full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets and its net operating loss carryforwards.


F-14


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
The components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense are presented below:
 
                        
 For the Years Ended December 31,  For The Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Stock options $254  $651  $201  $96  $254  $651 
Restricted stock units  3,586   2,904      2,696   3,586   2,904 
Stock appreciation rights  605   390      914   605   390 
              
Total $4,445  $3,945  $201  $3,706  $4,445  $3,945 
              
 
As of December 31, 2007,2008, the Company had unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements totaling $2,397.$2,648.
 
2006 LTIP
 
In September 2006, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2006 LTIP under which awards for an aggregate amount of 4,658,207 shares of common stock are authorized for grants to directors and employees. The number of shares authorized for grant under the 2006 LTIP includes 202,247214,079 shares of common stock remaining available for grant under the Company’s 2004 Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2006 and will be increased by the number of shares underlying awards under the 2004 stock option plan that have been cancelled or forfeited since that date. AtAs of December 31, 2007,2008, the numberCompany has 4,670,039 shares of sharescommon stock available for grant under the 2006 LTIP increased by 11,832 shares underlying awards under the 2004 stock option plan that have been cancelled or forfeited during 2007.LTIP. The 2006 LTIP provides for grants and awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance units and performance shares. Stock options granted pursuant to the 2006 LTIP Plan have a maximum term of 10 years. The SARs expire 10 years from the date of grant and are payable in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of both upon exercise, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The 2006 LTIP is administrated by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which selects persons eligible to receive awards under the 2006 LTIP and determines the number, terms, conditions, performance measures and other provisions of the awards.
 
In October 2006, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 1,059,280 RSUs to employees of the Company. Upon vesting, subject to payment of withholding taxes, the holders of the RSUs are entitled to receive an equivalent number of common shares..shares. An aggregate of 532,880 RSUs are time-based awards that vest in three equal installments, subject to continued employment on January 1, 2007, 2008 and 2009. An aggregate of 526,400 RSUs


F-15


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
are performance-based awards that will vest upon attainment of various operational and financial performance targets established for each of fiscal 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors and continued employment by the employee through dates the Compensation Committee has determined that the performance targets have been achieved.
 
In October 2006, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 413,334 SARs to certain executive officers of the Company. An aggregate of 66,667 are time-based SARs that vest in three equal installments subject to continued employment on January 1, 2007, 2008 and 2009. An aggregate of 346,667 SARs are performance-based awards that will vest upon attainment of various operational and financial performance targets established for each of fiscal 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors and continued employment by the executive officers through dates the Compensation Committee has determined that the performance targets have been achieved.
 
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
 
In 2007,2008, the Company granted 20,900214,551 time-based RSUs. These RSUs vest over various periods through JanuarySeptember 2011.
A summary of the Company’s time-based RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2008 is as follows:
         
     Weighted-Average Grant
 
  Shares  Date Fair Value 
 
Balance at January 1, 2008  356,538  $11.20 
Granted  214,551   5.28 
Vested  (228,019)  10.15 
Forfeited or expired  (886)  4.59 
         
Balance at December 31, 2008  342,184  $8.21 
         
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $2,236, $2,174 and $1,925 related to the time-based RSUs, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, $718 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the time-based RSUs granted is expected to be recognized through September 2011.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
In 2008, 129,784 performance-based RSUs were granted when the Compensation Committee established financial and operational performance targets for fiscal 2008. As of December 31, 2008, the Company estimates that these performance targets will be achieved at a rate of 70%, resulting in 91,233 performance-based RSUs vesting over various periods through May 2009.
A summary of the Company’s performance-based RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2008 is as follows:
         
     Weighted-Average Grant
 
  Shares  Date Fair Value 
 
Balance at January 1, 2008  179,404  $12.58 
Granted  129,784   4.81 
Vested  (61,079)  12.85 
Forfeited or expired  (116,980)  12.49 
         
Balance at December 31, 2008  131,129  $4.85 
         
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $460, $1,412 and $979 related to the performance-based RSUs, respectively. As of December 31, 2008,


F-15F-16


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
A summary of the Company’s time-based RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
         
     Weighted-Average Grant Date
 
  Shares  Fair Value 
 
Balance at January 1, 2007  528,087  $11.00 
Granted  20,900   12.74 
Vested  (185,990)  10.81 
Forfeited or expired  (6,459)  11.00 
         
Balance at December 31, 2007  356,538  $11.20 
         
For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $2,174 and $1,925 related to the time-based RSUs, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, $1,906 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the time-based RSUs granted is expected to be recognized through January 2009.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
In 2007, 144,058 previously issued performance-based RSUs were granted for accounting purposes when the Compensation Committee established performance targets for fiscal 2007. As of December 31, 2007, the Company estimates that these performance targets will be achieved at a rate of 43%, resulting in 61,502 performance-based RSUs vesting over various periods through January 2009. During 2007, the achievement of performance targets resulted in the vesting of 151,531 performance-based RSUs.
As of December 31, 2007 the Company has issued 129,784, performance-based RSUs that are not considered granted for accounting purposes as the Compensation Committee has not established performance targets for fiscal 2008.
A summary of the Company’s performance-based RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
         
     Weighted-Average Grant Date
 
  Shares  Fair Value 
 
Balance at January 1, 2007  257,484  $11.00 
Granted  144,058   13.00 
Vested  (151,531)  11.00 
Forfeited or expired  (70,607)  11.07 
         
Balance at December 31, 2007  179,404  $12.58 
         
For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1,412 and $979 related to the performance-based RSUs, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, $214$84 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the performance-based RSUs granted is expected to be recognized over periods through JanuaryMay 2009.
 
The grant date fair value of the performance-and time-based RSU awards granted in 2008 and 2007 is based upon the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the time and performance-based RSUs granted in 2006 was determined to be $11.00 per common share, the price of the Company’s common stock sold in its IPO.


F-16


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Time-based Stock Appreciation Rights
 
A summary of the Company’s time-based SARs for the year ended December 31, 20072008 is as follows:
 
                 
        Weighted- Average
    
        Remaining
  Aggregate
 
  Number of
  Weighted-Average
  Contractual
  Intrinsic Value
 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Term (years)  (in thousands) 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2007  66,667  $11.00         
Granted              
Forfeited or expired              
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007  66,667  $11.00   8.75  $ 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2007  22,222  $11.00   8.75  $ 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2007  66,667  $11.00   8.75  $ 
                 
                 
        Weighted-Average
    
        Remaining
  Aggregate
 
  Number of
  Weighted-Average
  Contractual
  Intrinsic Value
 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Term (years)  (In thousands) 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2008  66,667  $11.00         
Granted  1,075,000   4.96         
Forfeited or expired              
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008  1,141,667  $5.31   9.16  $ 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008  66,666  $11.00   7.75  $ 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2008  1,141,667  $5.31   9.16  $ 
                 
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $767, $122 and $119 relating to the time-based SARs, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, $1202008, $1,793 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the time-based SARs is expected to be recognized ratably through January 1, 2009.December 2010. The weighted average grant date fair value of thesethe time-based SARs in 2008 was $5.41.$2.27 per share.
 
Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights
 
In 2007, 115,556 previously issued2008, 145,555 performance-based SARs were granted for accounting purposes when the Compensation Committee established financial and operational performance targets for fiscal 2007.2008. These SARs will vest through March 2009. As of December 31, 2007, the2008, Company estimates that 72% of the performance targets will be achieved at a rate of 39%, resulting in 44,610 performance-based SARs vesting through March 2008. During 2007, the achievement of performance targets resulted in the vesting of 101,731 performance-based SARs.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has issued 115,555 performance-based SARs that are not considered granted for accounting purposes as the Compensation Committee has not established performance targets for fiscal 2008.achieved.
 
A summary of the Company’s performance-based SARs for the year ended December 31, 20072008 is as follows:
 
                 
        Weighted-Average
    
        Remaining
  Aggregate
 
  Number of
  Weighted-Average
  Contractual
  Intrinsic Value
 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Term (years)  (in thousands) 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2007  115,556  $11.00         
Granted  115,556   11.00         
Forfeited or expired  (13,823)  11.00         
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007  217,289  $11.00   8.97  $ 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2007  101,733  $11.00   8.75  $ 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2007  146,344  $11.00   8.88  $ 
                 
                 
        Weighted-Average
    
        Remaining
  Aggregate
 
  Number of
  Weighted-Average
  Contractual
  Intrinsic Value
 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Term (years)  (In thousands) 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2008  217,289  $11.00         
Granted  145,555   9.70         
Forfeited or expired  (70,945)  11.00         
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008  291,899  $10.35   8.57  $ 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008  146,344  $11.00   7.88  $ 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2008  250,145  $10.52   8.45  $ 
                 
 
The weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance-based SARs granted during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $1.23, $6.19 and $5.18 per share, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $483 and $271 relating to the performance-based SARs, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, $49 of total


F-17


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $147, $483 and $271 relating to the performance-based SARs, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, $29 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the performance-based SARs is expected to be recognized through the first quarter of 2008.2009.
 
The fair value of each SAR award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions described below for the periods indicated. Expected volatility was based on the stock volatility for comparable publicly traded companies. The Company uses the “simplified” method based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term to calculate the expected life of each SAR award. Estimated forfeitures were based on voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual SAR forfeitures. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant over the expected term of the SAR grants.
 
              
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31,
 2007 2006  2008 2007 2006
Risk-free interest rate  4.93%  4.66% 2.50% to 3.20% 4.93% 4.66%
Expected life (years)  5.5   5.50 to 6.00  5.5 and 6.00 5.5 5.50 to 6.00
Estimated volatility  43.95%  43.85%
Estimated volatility factor 43.98% to 48.98% 43.95% 43.85%
Expected dividends  None   None  None None None
 
In December 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors gave employees and executive officers of the Company an option to defer vesting for the RSUs and SARs awards. Certain employees of the Company accepted the option to defer vesting, subject to continued employment to May 21, 2007, 2008 and 2009, relating to their RSU awards, which created a modification in accordance with SFAS 123(R). A total of 269,926 time-based RSU awards and performance-based awards were modified. However, no additional stock-based compensation expense was recognized at the date of the modification as these awards were expected to vest under the original vesting terms and the fair value of Company’s common stock on the date of modification was lower then the fair value at the grant date.
 
Stock Options
 
Options granted under the 2004 Stock Option Plan have a maximum term of 10 years and vest over a period determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (generally four years) at an exercise price per share determined by the Board of Directors at the time of the grant. The 2004 stock option plan expires 10 years from the effective date, or when all options have been granted, whichever is sooner.
 
In February 2006, the Company granted an option to an employee to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock. The Company determined the fair value of its common stock underlying these stock options to be $15.00 per share. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the option was $11.16. The Company made such determination by considering a number of factors including the conversion price of its Series B preferred stock issued in December 2005 and January 2006, recent business developments, a discounted cash flow analysis of its projected financial results, and preliminary estimated price ranges related to the commencement of its process for an IPO.
 
The fair value of the 2006 stock option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions described below. Expected volatility was based on the stock volatility for comparable publicly traded companies. The Company used the “simplified” method to anticipate the expected life of the 2006 stock option award based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term. Estimated forfeitures were based on voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual stock option forfeitures. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant over the expected term of the 2006 stock option award.
 


F-18


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
                        
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007(1) 2006 2005(1)  2008(1) 2007(1) 2006 
Risk-free interest rate     4.64%           4.64%
Expected life (years)     4.00            4.00 
Expected volatility factor  %  44.50%  %  %  %  44.50%
Expected dividends  None      None   None   None   None 
 
 
(1)There were no options granted in 20072008 and 2005.2007.
 
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 20072008 is as follows:
 
                 
        Weighted-Average
    
        Remaining
  Aggregate
 
  Number of
  Weighted-Average
  Contractual
  Intrinsic Value
 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Term (years)  (in thousands) 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2007  1,464,420  $3.09         
Granted              
Exercised  (619,631)  3.17         
Forfeited or expired  (11,832)  4.26         
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007  832,957  $3.02   6.15  $2,724 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2007  822,538  $3.00   6.13  $2,709 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2007  832,616  $3.02   6.15  $2,723 
                 
                 
        Weighted-Average
    
        Remaining
  Aggregate
 
  Number of
  Weighted-Average
  Contractual
  Intrinsic Value
 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Term (years)  (In thousands) 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2008  832,957  $3.02         
Granted              
Exercised  (50,878)  3.73         
Forfeited or expired              
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008  782,079  $2.98   5.16  $ 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008  779,995  $2.97   5.15  $ 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2008  782,079  $2.98   5.16  $ 
                 
 
During the year ended December 31, 2007,2008, the Company issued 478,26714,853 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options to purchase 608,61031,250 common shares with per share exercise prices of $2.33 to $4.26. In addition, the Company issued 11,02119,628 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options at per share exercise prices of $2.33 to $4.26 and received gross proceeds of $36.$80.
 
As of December 31, 2007, $1082008, $24 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options issued to employees is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average term of 1.2 years.through March 2009.
 
In 2005, the Company recognized $201 of stock-based compensation that was being recognized over the vesting periods for stock options that were granted to employees in 2004 having an exercise price per share less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
Prior to adopting the provisions of SFAS 123(R), the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for employee stock options pursuant to APB No. 25, and provided the required pro forma disclosures of SFAS 123.

F-19


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
The following table illustrates the pro forma effect on net loss and basic and diluted net loss per share for 2005 had the Company accounted for employee stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123:
     
  2005 
 
Net loss applicable to common shares, as reported $(14,248)
Add: Stock-based employee compensation determined under APB No. 25 and included in reported net loss  201 
Deduct: Employee stock-based compensation determined under the fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects  (530)
     
Pro forma net loss applicable to common shares $(14,577)
     
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted:    
As reported $(2.51)
     
Pro forma $(2.57)
     
Note 5.6.  Net Loss per Common Share
 
Basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders (net loss adjusted for dividends required on preferred stock and accretion in preferred stock carrying value) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share, because potentially dilutive securities such as RSUs, SARs, stock options and stock warrants convertible preferred stock and convertible notes would have an antidilutive effect as the Company incurred a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005.2006. The potentially dilutive securities excluded from the determination of basic and diluted loss per share, as their effect is antidilutive, are as follows:
 
                        
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Common stock warrants  473,907   1,617,296   1,917,998   257,986   473,907   1,617,296 
Stock options  832,957   1,464,420   1,461,707   782,079   832,957   1,464,420 
RSUs  535,942   785,571      473,313   535,942   785,571 
SARs  283,956   182,223      1,433,566   283,956   182,223 
Series A convertible preferred stock        9,369,074 
Series B convertible preferred stock        11,753,333 
Series A preferred stock warrants        318,928 
              
  2,126,762   4,049,510   24,821,040   2,946,944   2,126,762   4,049,510 
              
In connection with the Company’s IPO all outstanding shares of Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock automatically converted into shares of common stock and all outstanding warrants to purchase Series A preferred stock were converted into warrants to purchase shares of common stock.


F-20F-19


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
For the yearsyear ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, the reconciliation between net loss and net loss applicable to common shares is as follows:
 
        
 Years Ended December 31,     
 2006 2005  2006 
Net loss $(11,215) $(9,098) $(11,215)
Add: Preferred stock dividends and accretion of preferred stock carrying value  (8,320)  (5,150)  (8,320)
Add: Consent payment to holders of Series B preferred stock for the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock into common stock. (See Note 11)  (10,111)   
Add: Consent payment to holders of Series B preferred stock for the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock into common stock. (See Note 14)  (10,111)
        
Net loss applicable to common shares $(29,646) $(14,248) $(29,646)
        
 
Note 6.7.  Acquisition of interestInterest in Satcom International Group plc.
 
On February 17, 2004, as a condition of the Reorganization, two officers of the Company were required to enter into a definitive agreement in order to eliminate any potential conflict of interest between the Company and the officers, to transfer to the Company all of their interests representing a majority of the outstanding voting shares of Satcom International Group plc. (“Satcom”) in exchange for (i) 620,000 shares of Series A preferred stock and (ii) a contingent payment in the event of a sale or IPO of the Company. However, the definitive agreement was subject to a completion of a reorganization of Satcom resulting in the conversion to equity of not less than 95% of the outstanding debt of Satcom by July 1, 2005 unless the parties elected to extend the date or agree otherwise. The officers of the Company held a substantial portion of the outstanding debt of Satcom. If the reorganization was not completed by July 1, 2005, or such later date, the Company could elect to take less than all of the interests of the officers; provided however, the Company must still issue the 620,000 shares of Series A preferred stock and make the contingent payment regardless of what portion of such interests the Company chose to purchase. The contingent payment would be equal to $2,000, $3,000 or $6,000 in the event of proceeds from such a sale or the valuation in an IPO exceeding $250,000, $300,000 or $500,000, respectively, subject to proration for amounts that fall in between these thresholds.
. On October 7, 2005 Satcom and certain of its stockholders and noteholders consummated the reorganization of Satcom under the terms of the definitive agreement. Accordingly, the Company acquired, from the two officers, a 51% interest in Satcom in exchange for (i) 620,000 shares of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock and the assumption of certain liabilities and (ii) a contingent payment in the event of a sale of or IPO of the Company.
 
Satcom owns 50% of ORBCOMM Europe LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ORBCOMM Europe”). Satcom has entered into country representative agreements with ORBCOMM Europe covering the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland and has entered into a service license agreement with the Company covering substantially all of the countries of the Middle East and a significant number of countries of Central Asia, as well as a gateway services agreement with the Company. ORBCOMM Europe has entered into a service license agreement covering 43 jurisdictions in Europe and a gateway services agreement with the Company.
 
Upon the acquisition of Satcom on October 7, 2005, the Company became the primary beneficiary for accounting purposes of ORBCOMM Europe, and as such, the Company consolidates the entity. The beneficial interest holders and creditors of this variable interest entity do not have legal recourse to the general credit of the Company.
 
Upon review of the activities of Satcom, the Company determined that the operations of Satcom did not qualify as a business as it had no employees, no sales force, insignificant revenues, and its only assets of value were its granted licenses. Satcom had been inactive for several years at the time of acquisition. Accordingly, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase. The assets acquired were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition of $4,655. As consideration, the Company issued 620,000 shares of Series A preferred


F-21


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
stock valued with an aggregate value of $1,761 (determined at the date the agreement to purchase Satcom was executed). The Company incurred transactions costs of $508. The net asset value attributed to the 49% owners is recorded at its historical cost basis which was $0 at the date of acquisition. The Company allocated the purchase price as follows:
 
     
Acquired licenses $4,484 
Other assets  171 
Liabilities (including note payable to related party of $586)  (2,386)
     
Acquisition cost $2,269 
     
The accompanying consolidated statements of operations and cash flows include Satcom and ORBCOMM Europe’s revenues, operating expenses and cash flows from October 7, 2005.
 
On November 8, 2006, the Company closed its IPO and accordingly, made a contingent payment of $3,631 to certain former shareholders of Satcom based on the valuation of the Company established by the IPO. The entire amount was attributed to acquired licenses and is being amortized over the remaining life of the licenses. As a result of the contingent payment, the Company’s interest in Satcom increased to 52%.


F-20


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Note 7.8.  Satellite Network and Other Equipment
 
Satellite network and other equipment consisted of the following:
 
                        
 Useful Life
 December 31,  Useful Life
 December 31, 
 (Years) 2007 2006  (Years) 2008 2007 
Land     $381  $379      $381  $381 
Satellite network  5-10   9,463   7,373   3-10   21,290   9,463 
Capitalized software  3-5    887   516   3-5    1,224   887 
Computer hardware     920   867      1,108   920 
Other  5-7    565   411   5-7    1,166   565 
Assets under construction      45,706   26,905       77,328   45,706 
          
      57,922   36,451       102,497   57,922 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization      (8,218)  (7,320)      (9,207)  (8,218)
          
     $49,704  $29,131      $93,290  $49,704 
          
 
During the years ended December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007, the Company capitalized costs attributable to the design and development of internal-use software in the amount of $633$336 and $386,$633, respectively.
 
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $1,749, $929, and 2005 was $929, $1,424, and $1,556, respectively. This includes amortization of internal-use software of $276, $255 $104 and $42$104 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, respectively.
 
Assets under construction primarily consist of costs relating to the design, development and launch of a single demonstration satellite pursuant to a contract with the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) (see Notes 10 and 15) and milestone payments and other costs pursuant to the Company’s satellite payload and launch procurement agreements with Orbital Sciences Corporation and OHB-System AG for its quick-launch satellites (seeand the procurement agreement for its next-generation satellites (See Note 15)17) and upgrades to its infrastructure and Ground Segment.ground segment.
On June 19, 2008, the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and five quick-launch satellites were successfully launched. Each of the satellites successfully separated from the launch vehicle in the proper orbit and is undergoing in-orbit testing and final positioning. The majority of in-orbit testing of the payload subsystems has been completed to verify proper operation of the subscriber links, gateway links and AIS payload functionality. As a result ofon-going in-orbit testing of these satellites, the Company’s satellite providers are investigating the lower than nominal gateway transmission power on one satellite, lower than expected nominal subscriber transmission on one satellite, intermittent computer resets on one satellite and outages to the reaction wheel components of the attitude control system on each of the satellites. The satellite with the lower than expected subscriber transmission has been reprogrammed to operate in a mode which utilizes the gateway transmission for subscriber messaging traffic. The satellite with intermittent flight computer resets is being reprogrammed to use a redundant receiver to perform the flight computer functions. Two satellites have experienced unrecovered outages of the redundant reaction wheels and four of the new satellites have experienced an unrecovered outage to both a redundant and a non-redundant reaction wheel which results in the satellites not pointing towards the sun and the earth as expected. Unless resolved, the result of this pointing error would be reduced power generation and reduced communications capabilities. OHB System, AG (“OHB”), the satellite bus provider continues, its efforts to correct and develop alternate operational procedures to satisfactorily mitigate the effect of these anomalies, there can be no assurance in this regard. The Company is unable to quantify the impact, if any, that these anomalies will have on the expected useful life and communication capabilities of the satellites until the in-orbit testing is completed and more information about the root cause of the anomalies becomes available.
On February 22, 2009, one quick-launch satellite experienced a power system anomaly that subsequently resulted in a loss of contact with the satellite by both the Company’s ground control systems and the ground control systems of the company providing in-orbit monitoring and testing, KB Polyot-Joint Stock Company, a provider of


F-21


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
sub-contracting services to OHB, the satellite bus manufacturer. The Company continues its efforts to re-establish contact with the satellite, but to date have not been successful. After consultation with, OHB and the Company’s own engineers, the Company believes that after such an extended period of no communication with the satellite, it is unlikely that the satellite will be recovered. The Company has conducted post-loss data analysis to better understand the causes of the power systems anomaly and resulting loss of contact with the satellite. The analysis is focused on power system components that may have contributed to the power system anomaly. The otherquick-launch satellites have experienced outages of redundant power system components that are being investigated. The Company and OHB will continue to conduct this post-loss data analysis to determine the root cause and establish operational procedures, if any, to mitigate the risk of a similar anomaly from occurring on the remaining four quick-launch satellites, which are of the same design or the Coast Guard demonstration satellite which is of a similar design. During this process, the Company will continue the in-orbit testing of the remaining quick-launch and Coast Guard demonstration satellites thereby extending the time before these satellites can be placed in operational service. The Company is unable to quantify the likelihood that this anomaly will occur, if at all, on the other quick-launch or Coast Guard demonstration satellites or the impact, if any, that this potential anomaly will have on the expected useful life and communications capabilities of these satellites until the in-orbit testing is completed and more information about the root cause of the anomaly becomes available.
The loss of one quick-launch satellite is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s current communications service as the satellite was only in the testing phase and not in regular operational service. Furthermore, the Company does not expect the loss of this one satellite from the orbital plane of six satellites to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to provide communications service in the future, based on a preliminary post-loss engineering analysis. All the quick-launch and Coast Guard demonstration satellites were equipped with an Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) payload and the Company believes the loss of one satellite will not adversely impact AIS service in any material respect, as the other satellites provide redundant capabilities to the AIS data service.
The Company has in-orbit insurance that under certain circumstances covers the total loss or constructive total loss of the Coast Guard demonstration and quick-launch satellites. The in-orbit insurance is subject to certain exclusions including a deductible under which no claim is payable under the policy in respect of the first satellite to suffer a constructive total loss or total loss. The Company is working with its insurance carriers to determine to what extent, if any, the in-orbit insurance will offset the impairment in value resulting from the loss of the quick-launch satellite or otherwise result in insurance proceeds arising from the disclosed anomalies on the Coast Guard demonstration and remaining quick-launch satellites.
An impairment charge will be recognized in the quarter ending March 31, 2009 with respect to one of the quick-launch satellites as a result of our inability to recover the satellite after the loss of contact with the satellite. The Company estimates that a non-cash impairment charge to write-off the cost of the satellite of approximately $7,000 will be reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements in the quarter ending March 31, 2009. This amount is estimated based on currently available information and is subject to change, although the Company does not presently expect that the actual impairment charge will be materially different than the estimated impairment charge described above. No amount of this impairment charge represents a cash expenditure and the Company does not expect that any amount of this impairment charge will result in any future cash expenditures.
In August 2008, the USCG accepted the AIS data from the Coast Guard Concept demonstration satellite. Accordingly, the Company reclassified $8,590 from assets under construction to satellite network as the Company began recognizing revenue from the contract and depreciation on the satellite.
During 2008, one of the Company’s plane D satellites, which had limited availability and a battery anomaly preventing nighttime operation, ceased providing regular operational service although it may continue to provide operational service on a limited basis. The remaining five plane D satellites have been repositioned to minimize coverage gaps that impact system latency and overall capacity. In addition, one of the Company’s plane B satellites is no longer providing operational service. The remaining seven plane B satellites have been repositioned to minimize coverage gaps that impact system latency and overall capacity. The Company does not expect the absence of these satellites to materially affect its business. These satellites are fully depreciated.


F-22


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 8.9.  IntangiblesRestricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash collateral of $5,000 for a performance bond required by the FCC in connection with the Company obtaining expanded FCC authorization to construct, launch and operate an additional 24 next-generation satellites. Under the terms of the performance bond, the cash collateral will be reduced in increments of $1,000 upon completion of specified milestones. The Company has completed two milestones and accordingly has classified $2,000 as a current asset.
Restricted cash also includes $680 deposited into an escrow account under the terms of the Orbital Sciences procurement agreement for the quick-launch satellites. The amounts in escrow will be paid to Orbital Sciences one year following the successful completion of in-orbit testing of the five quick-launch satellites (See Note 17).
The interest income earned on the restricted cash balances is unrestricted and included in interest income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Note 10.  Intangible Assets
 
The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:
 
                             
     December 31, 
     2007  2006 
  Useful Life
     Accumulated
        Accumulated
    
  (Years)  Cost  Amortization  Net  Cost  Amortization  Net 
 
Acquired licenses  6  $8,115  $(2,543) $5,572  $8,115  $(1,057) $7,058 
Intellectual property  3   715   (715)     715   (715)   
                             
      $8,830  $(3,258) $5,572  $8,830  $(1,772) $7,058 
                             
                           
    December 31, 
    2008  2007 
  Useful Life
    Accumulated
        Accumulated
    
  (Years) Cost  Amortization  Net  Cost  Amortization  Net 
 
Acquired licenses 6 $8,115  $(4,029) $4,086  $8,115  $(2,543) $5,572 
                           
 
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 20052006 was $1,486, $948$1,486 and $426,$948, respectively.
 
Estimated amortization expense for the acquired licenses is as follows:
 
        
Years Ending December 31,
      
2008 $1,486 
2009  1,486  $1,486 
2010  1,486   1,486 
2011  1,114   1,114 
      
 $5,572  $4,086 
      
 
Note 9.11.  Accrued Liabilities
 
The Company’s accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
 
                
 December 31  December 31 
 2007 2006  2008 2007 
Advances from USCG (See Note 15) $7,228  $ 
Gateway settlement obligation (see Note 15)  644   945 
Litigation settlement (See Note 17) $2,450  $ 
Advances from USCG (See Notes 12 and 17)     7,228 
Gateway settlement obligation (See Note 17)     644 
Accrued compensation and benefits  1,821   2,094   2,288   1,821 
Accrued warranty obligations     45 
Accrued interest  712   622   736   712 
Accrued professional fees  425   361   229   425 
Other accrued expenses  1,475   848   1,656   1,475 
          
 $12,305  $4,915  $7,359  $12,305 
          


F-23


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 10.12.  Deferred Revenue
 
Deferred revenues consisted of the following:
 
                
 December 31  December 31 
 2007 2006  2008 2007 
Professional services $  $7,236  $7,043  $ 
Service activation fees  1,796   1,326   3,032   1,796 
Manufacturing license fees  75   89   59   75 
Prepaid services  1,071   1,498   1,050   1,071 
          
  2,942   10,149   11,184   2,942 
Less current portion  (1,435)  (2,083)  (3,577)  (1,435)
          
Long-term portion $1,507  $8,066  $7,607  $1,507 
          
During 2004, the Company entered into a contract with the USCG to design, develop, launch and operate a single satellite equipped with the capability to receive, process and forward Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) data (the “Concept Validation Project”). Under the terms of the agreement, title to the Concept Validation Project demonstration satellite remains with the Company, however the USCG will be granted a non-exclusive, royalty free license to use the designs, processes and procedures developed under the contract in connection with any future Company satellites that are AIS enabled. The Company is permitted to use the Concept Validation Project satellite to provide services to other customers, subject to receipt of a modification of the Company’s current license or special temporary authority from the Federal Communication Commission. The agreement also provides for post-launch maintenance and AIS data transmission services to be provided by the Company to the USCG for an initial term of 14 months. At its option, the USCG may elect under the agreement to receive maintenance and AIS data transmission services for up to an additional 18 months subsequent to the initial term. The deliverables under the arrangement do not qualify as separate units of accounting and, as a result, revenues from the contract will be recognized ratably commencing upon the launch of the Concept Validation Project demonstration satellite (expected during 2008) over the expected life of the customer relationship.
 
Deferred professional services revenues at December 31, 20062008, represent amounts received fromrelated to the USCG under the contract.Concept Validation Project. At December 31, 2007 amounts received from the USCG have beenwere reflected as a currentan accrued liability in the consolidated balance sheet (See Notes 911 and 15)17).
 
Note 11.13.  Notes Payable
 
OHB Technology A.G.
 
In connection with the acquisition of a majority interest in Satcom (see Note 6)7), the Company has recorded an indebtedness to OHB Technology A.G. (formerly known as OHB Teledata A.G.) (“OHB”), a principal stockholder of the Company. At December 31, 2008, the principal balance of the note payable was €1,138 ($1,605) and it had a carrying value of $1,244. At December 31, 2007, the principal balance of the note payable was €1,138 ($1,661) and it had a carrying value of $1,170. At December 31, 2006, the principal balance of the note payable was €1,138 ($1,502) and it had a carrying value of $879. The carrying value was based on the note’s estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. The difference between the carrying value and principal balance is being amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the note of six years. Interest expense related to the note was $131 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and $33 for the year ended December 31, 2005.2006. This note does not bear interest and has no fixed repayment term. Repayment will be made from the distribution profits (as defined in the note agreement) of ORBCOMM Europe LLC. The note has been classified as long-term and the Company does not expect any repayments to be required prior to December 31, 2008.


F-24


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
2009.
 
2005 bridge notes
In November and December 2005, the Company issued 10% bridge notes for net proceeds of $25,019 (“2005 Bridge Notes”). The 2005 Bridge Notes had a maturity date of February 16, 2010. The 2005 Bridge Notes were automatically convertible into shares of the Company’s Series B convertible redeemable preferred stock (“Series B preferred stock”) in the event the Company issued in excess of $25,000 of 2005 Bridge Notes and in certain other circumstances. In connection with the issuance of the 2005 Bridge Notes, the Company agreed to issue warrants to purchase common stock of the Company at the lower of $4.03 per share or the price of the next Company issuance of preferred stock. The warrants were subject to cancellation if the 2005 Bridge Notes were automatically converted into Series B preferred stock. On December 30, 2005, all 2005 Bridge Notes were converted into shares of Series B preferred stock at a conversion price of $4.03 per share and the Company’s obligation to issue warrants to purchase common stock terminated. The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1,016 for unamortized debt issuance costs upon conversion of the 2005 Bridge Notes.
Note 12.14.  Stockholders’ Equity and Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
Reverse stock split
 
On October 6, 2006, in connection with its IPO, the Company effected a2-for-3 reverse stock split applicable to all issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. All share and per share amounts for common stock, options, stock appreciation rights and warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock and restricted stock units included in these financial statements and notes to the financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. The conversion ratios of the Company’s Series A and Series B preferred stock have also been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. On October 30, 2006, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation was amended to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 250 million and preferred stock to 50 million. The rights and preferences of preferred stock may be designated by the Board of Directors without further action by the Company’s stockholders.
 
Conversion of Series A and B Preferred Stock
 
On October 12, 2006, as a condition to the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A and B preferred stock into common stock, the Company obtained written consents of holders who collectively held in excess of two-thirdstwo-


F-24


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
thirds of the Series B preferred stock. The holders consented to the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock into shares of common stock upon the closing of the Company’s IPO at an initial public offering price per share of not less than $11.00 required for the automatic conversion of the Series B preferred stock into common stock. In consideration for providing their consents, the Company agreed to make a contingent payment to all of the holders of the Series B preferred stock if the price per share of the IPO was between $11.00 and $12.49 per share, determined as follows: (i) 12,014,227 (the number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which all of the shares of the Series B preferred stock converted at the current conversion price) multiplied by (ii) the difference between (a) $6.045 and (b) the quotient of (I) the initial public offering price divided by (II) 2.114. The maximum amount payable was $10,111. Upon closing of the IPO, the Company made a payment of $10,111 to the holders of the Series B preferred stock from the net proceeds of the IPO. The $10,111 payment was accounted for similar to a dividend.
 
Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
On December 30, 2005, the Company issued 17,629,999 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock and received net proceeds of $66,721, after deducting issuance costs of $4,328, which included the conversion of the convertible notes issued in November and December 2005 (see Note 11). In January 2006, the Company issued an additional 260,895 shares of Series B preferred stock and received net proceeds of $1,465, after deducting issuance costs of $113.


F-25


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
On November 8, 2006, upon closing of the IPO, all outstanding Series A warrants were converted into warrants to purchase shares of common stock on the basis of two shares of common stock for every three shares of Series A preferred stock.
 
The terms of the Series A and Series B preferred stock were as follows:
 
Dividends
 
The Series A preferred stock holders were entitled to receive a cumulative 12% annual dividend. The Series A preferred stock dividend was eliminated upon the issuance of the Series B preferred stock in December 2005. In January 2006, the Company paid all accumulated dividends on its Series A preferred stock totaling $8,027. Holders of the Series B preferred stock were entitled to receive a cumulative 12% dividend annually payable in cash in arrears. On November 8, 2006, upon the closing of its IPO, the Company paid all accumulated dividends on its Series B preferred stock totaling $7,467.
 
Conversion
 
Shares of preferred stock were convertible into two shares of common stock for every three shares of preferred stock, subject to adjustment in the event of certain dilutive issuances. Each share of preferred stock was convertible into common stock at any time by the holder or automatically at any time upon the earlier of one of the following events: (i) the closing of a Qualified Public Offering of the Company’s common stock; or (ii) the closing of a Qualified Sale; or (iii) upon the vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Series B preferred shares.
 
For purposes of an automatic conversion of preferred stock:
 
(1) A Qualified Public Offering was defined as a public offering with gross cash proceeds of not less than $75 million at a per share price of not less than (i) $12.78 per share if the public offering occurred on or before February 28, 2007, (ii) $15.00 per share if the public offering occurred after February 28, 2007 and on or before December 31, 2007, or (iii) $18.00 per share if the public offering occurred on or after January 1, 2008.
 
(2) A Qualified Sale was defined to mean a sale or merger of the Company in which the holders of the Series B preferred stock received not less than (i) $12.78 per share if the Qualified Sale occurred on or before February 28, 2007, (ii) $15.00 per share if the Qualified Sale occurred after February 28, 2007 and on or before December 31, 2007, or (iii) $18.00 per share if the Qualified Sale occurred on or after January 1, 2008.


F-25


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Voting rights
 
Each share of Series A and Series B preferred stock was entitled to one vote for each share of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible. The holders of preferred stock, voting as a single class, were entitled to elect six members of the Company’s board of directors (out of a ten member board).
 
Liquidation preference
 
In the event of any liquidation, sale or merger of the Company, the holders of Series B preferred stock were entitled to receive, prior to and in preference to the holders of the Series A preferred stock and common stock of the Company, an amount equal to $4.03 per share plus all unpaid dividends. After the payment of the full preference to all of the holders of Series B preferred shares as a result of such an event, any remaining assets of the Company legally available for distribution would be then distributed ratably to all of the holders of Series A and B preferred stock, on an as-converted basis, and common stock. Subsequent to the payment of accumulated dividends on Series A preferred stock in January 2006 there was no liquidation preference on Series A preferred stock.


F-26


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Redemption
 
The Series B preferred stock was subject to redemption by the Company at a price equal to the issuance price per share ($4.03) plus all declaredand/or accrued but unpaid dividends commencing 60 days after receipt of notice by the Company at any time on or after October 31, 2011 from the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series B preferred stock. The Series A preferred stock was subject to redemption by the Company at a price equal to the issuance price per share ($2.84) commencing 60 days after receipt of notice by the Company from the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A preferred stock. Such notice could only be presented on or after February 16, 2012, if one of the two following conditions are met: (1) there are no outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock, or (2) the Series B redemption price has been paid in full (or funds necessary for such payment having been set side by the Company in a trust for the account of such Series B preferred stockholders).
 
Preferred Stock
The Company currently has 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized. No shares were outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Common Stock
 
The terms of the Common stock are as follows:
 
Voting rights
 
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
 
Dividends
 
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors. No common stock dividends have been declared to date.
 
Warrants
 
The Company issued no warrants to purchase common stock in 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005.
Warrants2006. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has outstanding warrants to purchase 257,986 shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2007 were as follows:
     
  Shares Subject
 
Exercise Price
 to Warrants 
 
$2.33  172,278 
$3.38  43,642 
$4.26  257,987 
     
   473,907 
     
an exercise price of $4.26 per share. These warrants expire onat various dates throughin 2009.


F-26


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company issued 106,146 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants at per share exercise prices ranging from $2.33 to $3.38. The Company received gross proceeds of $262 from the exercise of these warrants. In addition, the Company issued 46,643 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of warrants to purchase 86,123 common shares with per share exercise prices ranging from $2.33 to $3.38.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company issued 225,900 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants at per share exercise prices ranging from $2.33 to $4.26. The Company received gross proceeds of $536 from the exercise of these warrants. In addition, the Company issued 704,042 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of warrants to purchase 927,979 common shares with per share exercise prices ranging from $2.33 to $4.26.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company issued 619,580 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants at per share exercise prices of ranging from $2.33 to $4.26. The Company received gross proceeds of $1,558 from the exercise of these warrants.


F-27


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
At December 31, 2007,2008, the Company has reserved the following shares of common stock for future issuance:
 
     
  Shares 
 
Employee stock compensation plans  5,165,4754,825,499 
Warrants to purchase common stock  473,907257,986 
     
   5,639,3825,083,485 
     
 
In 2005, the Company issued 32,083 shares of common stock to a significant customer upon the issuance of a non cancellable order for the purchase of Company products. The common stock was determined to have a fair value of $136 which was recorded as a reduction of product sales revenues over the delivery of the underlying equipment.
Note 13.15.  Geographical Information
 
The Company operates in one reportable segment, satellite data communications. Other than satellites in orbit, long-lived assets outside of the United States are not significant. The following table summarizes revenues on a percentage basis by geographic region, based on the country in which the customer is located:
 
                  
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
United States  85%  90%  74%  78%  85%  90%
Central Asia(1)        14%
Japan  17%      
Other(2)(1)  15%  10%  12%  5%  15%  10%
              
  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%
              
 
 
(1)Represents a gateway earth station sale.
(2)No other geographic areas are more than 10% for the years ended December 31, 2007 2006 and 2005.2006.


F-27


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 14.16.  Income Taxes
 
The following is a summary of the tax provision of the CompanyCompany’s for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005:2006:
 
                        
 December 31,  December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Current:                        
Federal $155  $  $  $  $155  $ 
State  29            29    
              
Total $184  $  $  $  $184  $ 
              
Deferred:                        
Federal $(342) $(4,635) $(2,512) $(517) $(342) $(4,635)
State  (65)  (604)  (160)  (98)  (65)  (604)
International  64   (51)      961   64   (51)
              
Subtotal  (343)  (5,290)  (2,672)  346   (343)  (5,290)
Valuation allowance  159   5,290   2,672   (346)  159   5,290 
              
Total $(184) $  $  $  $(184) $ 
              
The components of net deferred tax assets (liability) are as follows:
         
  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
 
Deferred tax assets:        
Current deferred tax assets:        
Deferred revenues $1,347  $888 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  210   214 
Inventory reserves  116   146 
Deferred compensation  1,758   1,569 
Bonus accruals     428 
Vacation accrual  290   231 
Other  63    
         
Total current deferred tax assets  3,784   3,476 
         
Non-current deferred tax assets:        
Satellite network and other property     284 
Deferred revenues  2,892   2,977 
Tax loss carryforwards  8,164   7,584 
         
Total non-current current deferred tax assets  11,056   10,845 
         
Total deferred tax assets  14,840   14,321 
         
Deferred tax liability, satellite network and other property  (515)   
         
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance  14,325   14,321 
Less valuation allowance  (14,325)  (14,137)
         
Net deferred tax asset $  $184 
         


F-28


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
The components of net deferred tax assets are as follows:
         
  December 31, 
  2007  2006 
 
Current deferred tax assets:        
Deferred revenues $888  $3,706 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  214   216 
Inventory reserves  146   155 
Deferred compensation  1,569   1,546 
Bonus accruals  428   274 
Vacation accrual  231   210 
Other     17 
         
Gross deferred tax assets  3,476   6,124 
         
Less valuation allowance  (3,476)  (6,124)
         
Net current deferred tax asset $  $ 
         
Non-current deferred tax assets:        
Satellite network and other property $284  $241 
Deferred revenues  2,977    
Tax loss carryforwards  7,584   7,859 
         
Gross deferred tax assets  10,845   8,100 
         
Less valuation allowance  (10,661)  (8,100)
         
Net non-current deferred tax asset $184  $ 
         
 
The benefit for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate because of the effect of the following items:
 
                        
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Income tax benefit at U.S. statutory rate of 34% $(1,220) $(3,813) $(3,093) $(1,543) $(1,220) $(3,813)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  (23)  (392)  (279)  (65)  (23)  (392)
Effect of foreign subsidiaries  280   (1,251)  669   1,401   280   (1,251)
Other permanent items  259   166   31   553   259   166 
Adjustment of tax reserves and other  545            545    
Change in valuation allowance  159   5,290   2,672   (346)  159   5,290 
              
 $  $  $  $  $  $ 
              
 
A valuation allowance has been provided for all of the Company’s deferred tax assets except for an unrecognized tax benefit totaling $184 because it is more likely than not that the Company will not recognize the benefits of these deferred tax assets. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $346, $159 and 2005 was an increase of $159, $5,290, and $4,083, respectively. The $4,083 increase in 2005 includes $1,411 attributable to net operating loss carryforwards of Satcom, which was acquired in 2005.
 
As a result of the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company recognizes tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs directly to stockholders’ equity only when the tax benefit reduces income tax payable on the basis that a cash tax savings has occurred. Accordingly, deferred tax assets are not recognized for net


F-29


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
operating loss carryforwards resulting from tax benefits. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company has not recognized in its deferred tax assets an aggregate of $4,173 and $4,157, respectively, of windfall tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options and the vesting of RSUs.
 
At December 31, 20072008 and December 31, 2006,2007, the Company had potentially utilizable federal net operating loss tax carryforwards of $18,772$22,503 and $14,412,$18,772, respectively. The net operating loss carryforwards expire at various times through 2027.2028. At December 31, 20072008 and December 31, 2006,2007, the Company had potentially utilizable foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $7,692$6,534 and $8,159,$7,692, respectively. The foreign net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2008.on various dates through 2027.
 
The utilization of the Company’s net operating losses may be subject to a substantial limitation due to the “change of ownership provisions” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. Such limitation may result in the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards before their utilization.
 
ORBCOMM Japan has net operating loss carryforwards that expire through 2010. As a result of ORBCOMM Japan’s voluntary reorganization, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets relating to the net operating loss carryforwards because it is more likely than not that ORBCOMM Japan will not recognize the benefits of these deferred tax assets due to its limited operating history following reorganization. The Company will maintain the valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support reversal.
The Company has not provided deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of its Japan subsidiary. The amount of such earnings was $1.2 million. These earnings have been permanently reinvested and the Company does not plan to initiate action that would precipitate the payment of income taxes thereon. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of additional tax that might be payable on the undistributed earnings of its Japan subsidiary.
As of January 1, 2007, the Company had no significant unrecognized tax benefits. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized gross adjustments for uncertain tax benefits of $775. During the year December 31, 2008, the Company had no significant unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the existence of the Company’s valuation allowance, the uncertain tax benefits if recognized would not impact the Company’s effective income tax rate. The Company is subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities for all years since its inception.from 2005. The Company does not expect any significant changes to its unrecognized tax positions during the next twelve months.


F-29


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
No interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were accrued at December 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:
 
            
 2007  2008 2007 
Balance at January 1, 2007 $ 
Balance at January 1 $775  $ 
Additions for tax positions related to prior years  591      591 
Additions for tax positions related to 2007  184 
Additions for tax positions     184 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years         
Settlements         
        
Balance at December 31, 2007 $775 
Balance at December 31 $775  $775 
        
 
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company has unrecognized tax benefits totaling $184 have been$184. As of December 31, 2007, the unrecognized tax benefits were recorded in other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. In 2008, uncertain tax benefits were offset by net operating losses. Unrecognized tax benefits amounting to $591$775 have been recorded as a reduction to the Company’s federal and state net operating loss tax carryforwards in deferred tax assets.
 
Note 15.17.  Commitments and Contingencies
Procurement agreements in connection with quick-launch satellites
On April 21, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Orbital Sciences to design, manufacture, test and deliver to the Company, one payload engineering development unit and six AIS-equipped satellite payloads for the Company. The cost of the payloads is $17,000, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. Payments under the agreement were due upon the achievement of specified milestones by Orbital Sciences. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has made milestone payments of $16,150 under this agreement. The Company anticipates making the remaining payments subject to adjustments under the agreement of $850 in 2009.
On June 5, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with OHB System, AG, an affiliate of OHB, to design, develop and manufacture six satellite buses, integrate such buses with the payloads provided by Orbital Sciences, and launch the six integrated satellites. The original price for the six satellite buses and launch services was $20,000 and payments under the agreement were due upon specific milestones achieved by OHB System, AG.
The Company launched five of the six satellites on June 19, 2008. Due to delays associated with the construction of the final quick-launch satellite, the Company is retaining it for future deployment.
On July 2, 2008, the Company and OHB System, AG entered into an agreement to amend the June 5, 2006 agreement in connection with the successful launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite and the five quick-launch satellites on June 19, 2008. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company and OHB System, AG agreed to a revised schedule of milestone and related payments for the launch of the five quick-launch satellites and delivery schedule of the sixth quick-launch satellite, with no modification to the price in the agreement entered into on June 5, 2006, including certain launch support and in-orbit testing services for the sixth quick-launch satellite. In addition, the Company agreed to pay an additional $450 to OHB System, AG relating to the construction of the five quick-launch satellites. The Company and OHB System, AG have also agreed to waive any applicable on-time delivery incentive payments and to waive any applicable liquidating damages, except for any liquidating delay damages with respect to delivery delay of the sixth quick-launch satellite.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company has made milestone payments of $17,767 under this agreement. In addition, OHB System, AG will provide services relating to the development, demonstration and launch of the Company’s next-generation satellites at a total cost of $1,350. The Company anticipates making the remaining payments under the agreement of $2,233 in 2009, for the six satellite buses and the related integration and launch services.


F-30


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Procurement agreements in connection with U.S. Coast Guard contract
 
In May 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to construct and deploy a satellite for use by the USCG (see Note 10)12). In connection with this agreement, the Company entered into procurement agreements discussed below. All expenditures directly relating to this project are being capitalized as assets under construction.with Orbital Sciences and OHB System, AG. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has incurred $7,138 of costs related to this project.
In November 2004, the Company entered into an ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Payload Procurement Agreement with Orbital Sciences Corporation (“Orbital Sciences”), under which the Company will purchase a Concept Demonstration Communication Payload at a total cost of $3,305. At December 31, 2007,2008, the Company’s remaining obligation under this agreement was $150.
In March 2005, the Company entered into an ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Satellite Bus, Integration Test and Launch Services Procurement Agreement with OHB-System AG, under which the Company will purchase, among other things, overall Concept Demonstration Satellite, design, bus module and payload module


F-30


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
structure manufacture, payload module and bus module integration, assembled satellite environmental tests, launch services and in-orbit testing of bus module at a total cost not to exceed $2,416. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s remaining obligation under this agreement was $362.$121.
 
As a result of delays in launching the satellite, in February 2007, the USCG issued a unilateral modification to the contract setting a definitive launch date of July 2, 2007. On September 13, 2007, the Company and the USCG entered into an amendment to the agreement to extend the definitive launch date to December 31, 2007. In consideration for agreeing to extend the launch date, the Company will provide up to 200 hours of additional technical support for up to 14 months after the launch date at no cost and reduce USCG’s cost for the post launchpost-launch maintenance optionoptions and for certain usage options.
 
The USCG project iswas planned to be launched with the Company’s quick-launch satellites, however the launch did not occur by December 31, 2007. On January 14, 2008, the Company received a cure notice from the USCG notifying the Company that unless the satellite is launched within 90 days after receipt of the cure notice, the USCG maywould have been able to terminate the contract for default. The Company believes that the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite will likely extend beyond the 90 day cure period. The satellites are fully constructed and are undergoing testing; however, certain electromagnetic compatibility issues have arisen in the testing of the quick launch satellites that need to be resolved before launch. The Company is currently in discussions with the USCG to extend the deadline for the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite to a mutually acceptable date. However, there can be no assurance as to whether or when a mutually satisfactory agreement for an extension of the launch deadline will be agreed to by the parties. In the event that the Company and the USCG are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution regarding the launch of the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, the USCG may terminate the contractdefault and pursue the remedies available to it, one of which is procuring supplies and services similar to those terminated and holding the Company liable for any excess costs of procurement. The
On April 14, 2008, the Company has indemnification rights againstand the USCG entered into an amendment to the agreement extending the definitive launch date to August 15, 2008. In consideration for agreeing to the extend the launch services provider fordate, the Company will provide the USCG with all AIS data from each of the quick-launch satellites being launched with the Coast Guard demonstration satellite, into the eventextent the launch services contract is terminatedsatellites are providing service, for default from90 continuous days, which commenced on February 1, 2009 at no additional cost. In addition, the USCG will have certain intellectual property rights over the AIS data received by the AIS receivers aboard the quick-launch satellites and against any and all claims, demands, assessments and all liabilities and costs related thereto for whichthe Coast Guard demonstration satellite solely during the90-day evaluation period to share only with other U.S. government agencies, provided that during the90-day evaluation period the Company becomes liable, including but not limitedis permitted to any assessment of damagesand/or reprocurement costs byuse the United States Government.
The Company has reflected all amounts received underAIS data from the USCG contractquick-launch satellites in accrued liabilities in its December 31, 2007 consolidated balance sheet. Such amounts were included in long term deferred revenues at December 31, 2006. No provision for losses that may be incurred pursuant to this cure notice has been recorded inconnection with the accompanying financial statements as the amount of loss, if any, is not reasonably estimable.Company’s other programs.
 
Procurement agreementsagreement in connection with quick-launchnext-generation satellites
 
On April 21, 2006,May 5, 2008, the Company entered into ana procurement agreement with Orbital Sciences whereby Orbital SciencesSNC pursuant to which SNC will design, manufacture,construct eighteen low-earth-orbit satellites in three sets of six satellites (“shipsets”) for the Company’s next-generation satellites (the “Initial Satellites”). Under the agreement, SNC will also provide launch support services, a test satellite (excluding the mechanical structure), a satellite software simulator and deliver tothe associated ground support equipment. Under the agreement, the Company one payload engineering development unitmay elect to use the launch option to be offered by SNC or it may contract separately with other providers for launch services and six AIS-equipped satellite payloadslaunch insurance for the Company. The cost ofsatellites.
Under the payloads is $17,000, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. Payments under the agreement, are due upon the achievement of specified milestones by Orbital Sciences. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has made milestone paymentsthe option, exercisable at any time until the third anniversary of approximately $16,150 under this agreement.the execution of the agreement, to order up to thirty additional satellites substantially identical to the Initial Satellites (the “Optional Satellites”).
The total contract price for the Initial Satellites is $117,000, subject to reduction upon failure to achieve certain in-orbit operational milestones with respect to the Initial Satellites or if the pre-ship reviews of each shipset are delayed more than 60 days after the specified time periods described below. The Company anticipates makinghas agreed to pay SNC up to $1,500 in incentive payments for the remaining payments subject to adjustments undersuccessful operation of the agreementInitial Satellites five years following the successful completion of $150 and $700 in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
On June 5, 2006,in-orbit testing for the Company entered into an agreement with OHB-System AG, an affiliatethird shipset of OHB, to design, develop and manufacture six satellite buses, integrate such buses with the payloads to be provided by Orbital Sciences, and launch the six integrated satellites. The price for the sixOptional Satellites ranges from $5,000 to $7,700 per satellite busesdepending on the number of satellites ordered and launch services is $20,000 and payments underthe timing of the exercise of the option.
The agreement also requires SNC to complete the pre-ship review of the Initial Satellites (i) no later than 24 months after the execution of the agreement are due upon specific milestones achieved by OHB-System AG. In addition, if OHB-System AG meets specific on-time delivery milestones,for the Company would be obligated to pay up to an additional $1,000. Asfirst shipset of Decembersix satellites, (ii) no later than 31 2007, the Company has made milestone payments of $14,600 under this agreement. In addition, OHB-System AG will provide services relating to the development, demonstration and launch of the Company’s next-generation satellites at a total cost of $1,350.months after


F-31


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Due to delays associated with the constructionexecution of the final quick-launch satellite,agreement for the second shipset of six satellites and (iii) no later than 36 months after the execution of the agreement for the third shipset of six satellites. Payments under the agreement will begin upon the execution of the agreement and will extend into the second quarter of 2012, subject to SNC’s successful completion of each payment milestone. As of December 31, 2008, the Company intends to retain it for future deployment.
has made milestone payments of $24,570 under the agreement. The Company anticipates making the remaining payments under the agreement of $5,000 and $400 in 2008 and 2009, respectively,$26,910 during 2009. Under the agreement, SNC has agreed to provide the Company with an optional secured credit facility for up to $20,000 commencing 24 months after the initial order of six satellite buses and the related integration and launch services, inclusiveexecution of the on-time delivery paymentsagreement and maturing 44 months after the effective date. If the Company elects to establish and use the credit facility it and SNC will enter into a formal credit facility on terms established in the agreement.
 
Gateway settlement obligation
 
In 1996, a predecessor to the Company entered into a contract to purchase gateway earth stations (“GESs”) from ViaSAT Inc. (the “GESs Contract”). As of September 15, 2000, the date the Company’s predecessor company filed for bankruptcy, approximately $11,000 had been paid to ViaSAT, leaving approximately $3,700 owing under the GESs Contract for 8.5 GESs manufactured and stored by ViaSAT. In December 2004, the Company and ViaSAT entered into a settlement agreement whereby the Company was granted title to 4 completed GESs in return for a commitment to pay an aggregate of $1,000 by December 2007. ViaSAT maintains a security interest and lien in the 4 GESs and has the right to possession of each GESs until the lien associated with the GESs has been satisfied. The Company hashad options, expiringwhich expired in December 2007, to purchase any or all of the remaining 4.5 GESs for aggregate consideration of $2,700. However, the Company mustwould have been required to purchase one of the remaining 4.5 GESs for $1,000 prior to the sale or disposition of the last of the 4 GESs for which title has been transferred The Company and ViaSAT are in discussions to extend the option.transferred. The Company recorded the 4 GESs in inventory at an aggregate value of $1,644 upon execution of the settlement agreement. At December 31,During 2007, the Company and 2006,ViaSAT entered into discussions to extend the option, however such discussions were terminated during the second quarter of 2008 with the parties having no further obligations under the settlement agreement. As a result, the Company’s accrued liability forof $644 related to the settlement agreement was $644reversed in June 2008 and $944, respectively.the Company reduced costs of product sales by $161, cost of services by $164 and satellite network and other assets by $319.
 
Airtime credits
 
In 2001, in connection with the organization of ORBCOMM Europe and the reorganization of the ORBCOMM business in Europe, the Company agreed to grant certain country representatives in Europe approximately $3,736 in airtime credits. The Company has not recorded the airtime credits as a liability for the following reasons: (i) the Company has no obligation to pay the unused airtime credits if they are not utilized; and (ii) the airtime credits are earned by the country representatives only when the Company generates revenue from the country representatives. The airtime credits have no expiration date. Accordingly, the Company is recording airtime credits as services are rendered and these airtime credits are recorded net of revenues from the country representatives. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 20052006 airtime credits used totaled approximately $183, $179 $201 and $176,$201, respectively. As of December 31, 20072008 and 20062007 unused credits granted by the Company were approximately $2,307 and $2,490, respectively.
Purchase commitment
On August 29, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Delphi Automotive Systems LLC to purchase approximately $4,800 of a future model of a subscriber communicator over a two-year period beginning once the subscriber communicator model becomes commercially available within the next twelve months.


F-32


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and $2,669, respectively.per share amounts)
 
Operating leases
 
The Company leases office, storage and other facilities under agreements classified as operating leases which expire through 2011.2014. Future minimum lease payments, by year and in the aggregate, under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of December 31, 20072008 are as follows:
 
        
Years Ending December 31,
      
2008 $838 
2009  251  $745 
2010  128   887 
2011  10   805 
2012  829 
2013  867 
Thereafter  300 
      
 $1,227  $4,433 
      
 
Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 20052006 was approximately $1,726, $988 and $973, and $956, respectively.


F-32


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Litigation
 
From time to time, the Company is involved in various litigation matters involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to its business. Management currently believes that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition. The Company is also involved in certain other litigation matters as discussed below.
 
Class Action Litigation
 
On September 20 and 25, 2007, two separate plaintiffs filed purported class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain of its officers. On June 2, 2008, the Court consolidated the actions, appointed Erwin Weichel, David Peterson and William Hunt as lead plaintiffs and approved the lead plaintiff’s selection of co-lead and liaison counsel. On July 17, 2008, the lead plaintiffs filed their consolidated complaint against the Company and certain of its officers, and added as defendants the two co-lead underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering, UBS Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. The actions allegeconsolidated complaint alleges, among other things, that the Company’s registration statement related to its initial public offering in November 2006 contained material misstatements and omissions in violation of the Securities Act of 1933. The actionsaction cited, among other things, a drop in the trading price of the Company’s common stock that followed disclosure on August 14, 2007 of a change in the Company’s definition of billable subscriber communicators and reduced guidance for the remainder of 2007 released with the Company’s 2007 second quarter financial results. The actions seekaction seeks to recover compensatory and in one complaint rescissory damages, on behalf of a class of shareholders who purchased common stock inand/or traceable to the Company’s initial public offering on or about November 3, 2006 through August 14, 2007. The court has yet to certify the class or appoint a lead plaintiff(s). The Company intends to defend the matter vigorously. No provision for losses, if any, that might result from the matter have been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as this action is in its preliminary stages and the Company is unable to predict the outcome and therefore it is not probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss, if any, is not reasonably estimable.
Quake
On May 11, 2007,February 25, 2009, the Company and Quake Global, Inc. (“Quake”) entered intothe other named defendants agreed in principle to settle the action, while continuing to deny any liability for these claims, for a global settlement agreement dismissing or discontinuing the legal proceedings with Quake discussed below.
On February 24, 2005, Quake filed a four count action for damages and injunctive relief against the Company,payment of $2,450 to be paid entirely by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Stellar Satellite Communications, Ltd. (“New Stellar”),insurer providing directors and Delphi Corporation,officers liability coverage for the claims asserted in the U.S.litigation. The agreement remains subject to final negotiated documentation executed by the parties and approval by the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges antitrust violations, breachNew Jersey. As of contract, tortious interference and improper exclusive dealing arrangements. Quake claims damages in excess of $15,000 and seeks treble damages, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, unspecified compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and thatDecember 31, 2008, the Company be requiredhas accrued the $2,450 as a component of accrued liabilities. The Company has established a receivable from its insurance carrier in the same amount that is included as component of prepaid expenses and other current assets as collection is probable. Litigation is subject to divest itselfinherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations for the assets it acquired from Stellar Satellite Communications, Ltd. (“Old Stellar”) and reconstitute a new and effective competitor. On April 21, 2005, the Company filed a motion to dismiss or to compel arbitration and dismiss or stay the proceedings,period in which the District Court denied. On July 19, 2005, the Company and New Stellar took an interlocutory appeal as of right to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from the denial of the Company’s motion to dismiss. On December 6, 2005, the Company filed its answer and counterclaims to Quake’s complaint.
On December 21, 2006, The Company served a Notice of Default on Quake for its failure to pay past-due royalty fees. Under the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement, Quake had 30 days to cure that default, but failed to do so.ruling occurred or future periods. In addition, the Company demanded in this Notice of Default that Quake post security as required byhas received a request for indemnification pursuant to the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement, which Quake also failed to do. Accordingly, on January 30, 2007, the Company terminated its Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement with Quake. On February 12, 2007, Quake sought leave to file and serve a proposed supplemental complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the recent termination was a monopolizing and tortious act by the Company. On March 9, 2007, the Company filed an opposition to Quake’s motion to file a supplemental complaint, asserting that any dispute over the legality of the January 30 termination is subject to arbitration. By order dated April 23, 2007, the court granted Quake’s motion to amend the complaint, but deferred ruling on whether Quake’s new claims must be arbitrated. The court held that the issue of arbitrability may be raisedUnderwriting


F-33


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
by ORBCOMM LLC in a subsequent motion. In March 2007, the CompanyAgreement entered into an interim agreement with Quake for a term of two months for Quake to continue to supply Communicators to the Company’s customers.
Separately, ORBCOMM served notices of default upon Quake in July and September 2005 and in June, August and December 2006 under the parties’ Subscriber Communicators Manufacturing Agreement. On September 23, 2005, the Company commenced an arbitration with the American Arbitration Association seeking: (1) a declaration that the Company has the right to terminate the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement; (2) an injunction against Quake’s improperly using the fruits of contractually-prohibited non-segregated modem design and development efforts in products intended for use with the systems of the Company’s competitors; and (3) damages. Quake has filed an answer with counterclaims to the Company’s claims in the arbitration. As part of Quake’s counter claims, it claims damages of at least $50,000 and seeks attorney fees and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration. On August 28, 2006, the Company amended its statement of claims in the arbitration to add the claims identified in the Juneinitial public offering from UBS Securities, LLC and August 2006 notices of default. On December 15, 2006 the Company amended its statement of claims in the arbitration to add the claims identified in the December 14, 2006 notice of default. On February 7, 2007, the Company sought leave to amend its statement of claims in the arbitration seeking a declaration that its exercise of its contractual termination right under the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement was lawful and proper in all respects, including but not limited to under the terms of the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement and the laws of the United States. On February 23, 2007, Quake filed its reply papers opposing such amended statement of claims. On March 10, 2007, the arbitration panel determined to allow the Company to amend its statement of claims in the arbitration seeking a declaration that its exercise of its contractual termination right under the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement was properMorgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated for any losses or costs they may incur as a contractual matter butresult of this lawsuit. The Company has declined jurisdiction as to antitrust issues related topay any such termination.indemnity claims by these firms.
 
Separately, in connection with a pending legal action between Quake and Mobile Applitech, Inc, or MobiApps, relating to an RF application specific integrated circuit, or ASIC, developed pursuant to a Joint Development Agreement between Quake and MobiApps, Quake sent the Company a letter dated July 19, 2006 notifying the Company that it should not permit or facilitate MobiApps to market or sell Communicators for use on the ORBCOMM system or allow MobiApps’ Communicators to be activated on ORBCOMM’s system and that failure to cease and desist from the foregoing actions may subject the Company to legal liability and allow Quake to seek equitable and monetary relief.
On August 4, 2006, ORBCOMM LLC filed a motion to intervene in the pending action between Quake and MobiApps in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Greenbelt Division) seeking a declaration as to (1) whether MobiApps has the right to use the ASIC product in Communicators it manufactures for use on the ORBCOMM system, and (2) whether the Company can permit or facilitate MobiApps to market or sell Communicators using the ASIC product for ORBCOMM’s systemand/or allow such Communicators to be activated on ORBCOMM’s system. On August 7, 2006, the Maryland District Court transferred that action to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. On October 20, 2006, ORBCOMM moved to intervene in the Southern District of California action and filed aComplaint-In-Intervention therein, seeking the relief it had requested in the Maryland District Court. ORBCOMM’s Motion to Intervene was granted on January 4, 2007. Under the terms of the agreement with MobiApps, the Company will be indemnified for its expenses incurred in connection with this action related to the alleged violations of Quake’s proprietary rights. On February 15, 2007, Quake filed its answer to theComplaint-In-Intervention and counterclaims against intervenor ORBCOMM, alleging that ORBCOMM interfered with Quake’s contractual relations and conspired with MobiApps to misappropriate Quake’s proprietary information. ORBCOMM LLC has sent notice to Quake’s counsel that ORBCOMM LLC believes the assertion of these counterclaims violates Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
On May 11, 2007, the Company entered into a global settlement agreement with Quake. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, the parties have agreed to (1) dismiss with prejudice and without cost the Complaint and any counterclaims; (2) discontinue in its entirety the arbitration relating to the Subscriber Communicator Manufacturing Agreement with prejudice and without cost; and (3) dismiss with prejudice and without cost Quake’s counterclaims against ORBCOMM LLC in the pending action between Quake and MobiApps. Each party


F-34


Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
will bear its own legal expenses with respect to each of these legal proceedings. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company agreed to separate and segregate its officers and employees from those of New Stellar within 60 days, which has been completed, and to maintain separate office, testing and laboratory facilities for New Stellar by February 2008, which has been completed. In addition, as part of the settlement, the Company and Quake have entered into a new subscriber communicator manufacturing agreement for a ten-year term with respect to the manufacture of subscriber communicators for use on the Company’s communications system.
Note 16.18.  Employee Incentive Plans
 
The Company maintains a 401(k) plan. All employees who have been employed for three months or longer are eligible to participate in the plan. Employees may contribute up to 15% of eligible compensation to the plan, subject to certain limitations. The Company has the option of matching up to 100% of the amount contributed by each employee up to 4% of employee’s compensation. In addition, the plan contains a discretionary contribution component pursuant to which the Company may make an additional annual contribution. Contributions vest over a five-year period from the employee’s date of employment. The Company did not make any contributions for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005.2006.
 
Note 17.19.  Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
 
                        
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2007 2006 2005  2008 2007 2006 
Investing activities:
                        
Capital expenditures incurred not yet paid $1,459  $  $  $6,626  $1,459  $ 
Gateway received in consideration for payment for accounts receivable        157 
Gateway received in settlement of long-term receivable  230       
Gateway acquired and recorded in inventory in 2005 and used for construction under satellite and property and equipment in 2006     411            411 
Issuance of Series A preferred stock in connection with the acquisition of Satcom        1,761 
Stock-based compensation included in capital expenditures  54       
Net assets from step acquisition of subsidiary  1,363       
Asset basis adjustment due to expiration of gateway purchase option  161       
Financing activities:
                        
Public offering expenses incurred not yet paid  40   610         40   610 
Conversion of notes payable for Series B preferred stock        25,019 
Preferred stock dividends accrued        4,709 
Conversion of Series A preferred stock into common stock     37,882            37,882 
Conversion of Series B preferred stock into common stock     68,629            68,629 


F-35F-34


 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 18.20.  Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
The quarterly results of operations are summarized below:
 
                                
 First
 Second
 Third
 Fourth
  First
 Second
 Third
 Fourth
 
 Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter  Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter 
2008
                
Revenues $5,879  $7,724  $7,969  $8,520 
Loss from operations  (1,261)  (1,130)  (880)  (1,228)
Net loss  (534)  (979)  (1,001)  (2,026)
Net loss per common share basic and diluted:  (0.01)  (0.02)  (0.02)  (0.05)
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted  41,802,725   41,961,461   42,070,196   42,100,869 
2007
                                
Revenues $5,961  $6,627  $6,912  $8,652  $5,961  $6,627  $6,912  $8,652 
Income (loss) from operations  (4,169)  (2,613)  (1,978)  97 
Net Income (loss)  (2,939)  (1,297)  (422)  1,069 
Loss from operations  (4,169)  (2,613)  (1,978)  97 
Net income (loss)  (2,939)  (1,297)  (422)  1,069 
Net income (loss) per common share:                                
Basic  (0.08)  (0.03)  (0.01)  0.03   (0.08)  (0.03)  (0.01)  0.03 
Diluted  (0.08)  (0.03)  (0.01)  0.03   (0.08)  (0.03)  (0.01)  0.03 
Weighted-average shares outstanding                                
Basic  37,035,553   38,669,269   41,444,270   41,603,765   37,035,553   38,669,269   41,444,270   41,603,765 
Diluted  37,035,553   38,669,269   41,444,270   42,496,840   37,035,553   38,669,269   41,444,270   42,496,840 
2006
                
Revenues $6,380  $6,261  $5,554  $6,325 
Loss from operations  (3,579)  (2,866)  (2,458)  (4,928)
Net loss  (3,141)  (2,250)  (1,867)  (3,957)
Net loss applicable to common shares  (5,448)  (4,806)  (4,305)  (15,087)
Net loss per common share, Basic and diluted  (0.96)  (0.84)  (0.71)  (0.61)
Weighted average common shares outstanding  5,690,017   5,690,017   6,085,376   24,779,007 


F-36F-35


 
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
ORBCOMM Inc.INC.
December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 20052006
 
                    
         Col. E                     
 Col. B Col. C   Col. E
  Col. B
 Col. C   Col. E
 
 Balance at
 Charged to
 Charged to
   Balance at
  Balance at
 Charged to
 Charged to
   Balance at
 
 Beginning of
 Costs and
 Other
 Col. D
 End of the
  Beginning of the
 Costs and
 Other
 Col. D
 End of the
 
Description
 the Period Expenses Accounts Deductions Period  Period Expenses Accounts Deductions Period 
 (Amounts in thousands)    (Amounts in thousands)     
Year ended December 31, 2008
                    
Allowance for doubtful receivables $388   (179)  18(1)    $227 
Deferred tax asset valuation $14,137   (346)  534(2)     $14,325 
Year ended December 31, 2007
                                        
Allowance for doubtful receivables $297   286   (195)1    $388  $297   286   (195)(1)    $388 
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $14,224   159   (246)2     $14,137 
Deferred tax asset valuation $14,224   159   (246)(2)    $14,137 
Year ended December 31, 2006
                                        
Allowance for doubtful receivables $671   30   (404)1    $297  $671   30   (404)(1)    $297 
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $8,784   5,290   150 2    $14,224 
Year ended December 31, 2005
                    
Allowance for doubtful receivables $564   291   (184)1    $671 
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $4,701   4,083        $8,784 
Deferred tax asset valuation $8,784   5,290   150(2)    $14,224 
 
 
(1)Amounts relate to write-offs, net of recoveries.
 
(2)Amounts relate to differences in foreign exchange rates.


F-37


F-36


Exhibit Index
 
            
Exhibit
Exhibit
    Exhibit
    
No.
No.
 
Description
 
Page No.
No.
 
Description
 
Page No.
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006(File No. 000-1361983), is incorporated herein by reference.  3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.  
3.2 Amended Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (File No. 000-1361983), is incorporated herein by reference.  3.2 Amended Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.1 Validation Services Agreement, dated May 20, 2004, between the Company and the United States Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.1 Validation Services Agreement, dated May 20, 2004, by and between the Company and the U.S. Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.1.2 Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract dated September 13, 2007 amending the Validation Services Agreement dated as of May 12, 2004 by and between the Company and U.S. Coast Guard filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007 (File No. 000-1361983) is incorporated herein by reference.  10.1.2 Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract dated September 13, 2007 amending the Validation Services Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004, by and between the Company and U.S. Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.2.1 Cooperation Agreement, dated May 18, 2004, among the Company, Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and Delphi Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.1.3 Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract dated April 14, 2008 amending the Validation Services Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004, as amended, by and between the Company and U.S. Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.2.2 Amendment Number One to Cooperation Agreement, dated December 27, 2005, among the Company, Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and Delphi Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.2.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.1.4 Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract dated August 28, 2008 amending the Validation Services Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004, as amended, by and between the Company and U.S. Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.2.3 Pricing Letter Agreement, dated May 6, 2004, between the Company and Delphi Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.2.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.1.5 Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract dated September 30, 2008 amending the Validation Services Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004, as amended, by and between the Company and U.S. Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.3.1 ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Satellite Bus, Integration Test and Launch Services Procurement Agreement, dated March 10, 2005, between the Company and OHB-System AG, filed as Exhibit 10.3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.1.6 Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract dated September 30, 2008 amending the Validation Services Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004, as amended, by and between the Company and U.S. Coast Guard, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.3.2 Amendment to the Procurement Agreement, dated June 5, 2006, between the Company and OHB-System AG, filed as Exhibit 10.3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.2.1 Cooperation Agreement, dated May 18, 2004, among the Company, Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and Delphi Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.4 ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Communication Payload Procurement Agreement, dated November 3, 2004, between the Company and Orbital Sciences Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.2.2 Amendment Number One to Cooperation Agreement, dated December 27, 2005, among the Company, Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and Delphi Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.2.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.5.1 Amendment to the Procurement Agreement, dated April 21, 2006, between the Company and Orbital Sciences Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.2.3 Amendment Number Two to Cooperation Agreement dated as of November 3, 2008, among the Company, Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and the Delphi Electronics & Safety Division of Delphi Incorporated, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.5.2 Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 10, 2007, between the Company and Orbital Sciences Corporation concerning modification to the Amendment to the procurement agreement as Exhibit 10.5.1 hereto.  †10.2.4 Pricing Agreement dated as of September 8, 2008, by and between Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC, acting through its Delphi Electronics & Safety Division, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.6 Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2005, by and among the Company and certain preferred stockholders of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.3.1 ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Satellite Bus, Integration Test and Launch Services Procurement Agreement, dated March 10, 2005, between the Company and OHB-System AG, filed as Exhibit 10.3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.7.1 International Value Added Reseller Agreement, dated March 14, 2003, between the Company and Transport International Pool, filed as Exhibit 10.9.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.3.2 Amendment to the Procurement Agreement, dated June 5, 2006, between the Company and OHB-System AG, filed as Exhibit 10.3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  


            
Exhibit
Exhibit
    Exhibit
    
No.
No.
 
Description
 
Page No.
No.
 
Description
 
Page No.
†10.7.2 Amendment to International Value Added Reseller Agreement, dated January 26, 2006, between the Company and Transport International Pool, filed as Exhibit 10.9.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.3.3 Memorandum of Agreement dated July 2, 2008 between the Company and OHB System, AG, concerning modifications to Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 5, 2006 of ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Satellite Bus, Integration Test and Launch Services Procurement Agreement dated March 10, 2005 by and between the Company and OHB System, AG, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.7.3 Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated February 28, 2006, between ORBCOMM LLC, Transport International Pool and GE Asset Intelligence, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.9.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.3.4 Memorandum of Agreement dated November 25, 2008, between the Company and OHB System, AG, concerning Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 5, 2006 of ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Satellite Bus, Integration Test and Launch Services Procurement Agreement dated March 10, 2005 by and between the Company and OHB System, AG.  
†10.7.4 Amendment to International Value Added Reseller Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between ORBCOMM LLC and GE Asset Intelligence, filed as Exhibit 10.9.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.4 ORBCOMM Concept Demonstration Communication Payload Procurement Agreement, dated November 3, 2004, between the Company and Orbital Sciences Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.7.5 Amendment to International Value Added Resellers Agreement, dated August 3, 2006, between ORBCOMM LLC and GE Asset Intelligence, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.9.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.5.1 Amendment to the Procurement Agreement, dated April 21, 2006, between the Company and Orbital Sciences Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.8 Form of Common Stock Warrants, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.5.2 Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 10, 2007, between the Company and Orbital Sciences Corporation concerning modification to the Amendment to the procurement agreement as Exhibit 10.5.1 hereto.  
10.9 Form of Series A Preferred Stock Warrants, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.6 ORBCOMM Generation 2 Procurement Agreement dated May 5, 2008, by and between the Company and Sierra Nevada Corporation, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.10 Form of Ridgewood Preferred Stock Warrants, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.7 Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2005, by and among the Company and certain preferred stockholders of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.11 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the executive officers and directors of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.8.1 International Value Added Reseller Agreement, dated March 14, 2003, between the Company and Transport International Pool, filed as Exhibit 10.9.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.12 Schedule identifying agreements substantially identical to the Form of Indemnification Agreement constituting Exhibit 10.11 hereto, filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.8.2 Amendment to International Value Added Reseller Agreement, dated January 26, 2006, between the Company and Transport International Pool, filed as Exhibit 10.9.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*10.13 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.8.3 Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated February 28, 2006, between ORBCOMM LLC, Transport International Pool and GE Asset Intelligence, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.9.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*10.14 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  †10.8.4 Amendment to International Value Added Reseller Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between ORBCOMM LLC and GE Asset Intelligence, filed as Exhibit 10.9.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*10.15 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference, filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.8.5 Amendment to International Value Added Resellers Agreement, dated August 3, 2006, between ORBCOMM LLC and GE Asset Intelligence, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.9.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*10.16 Form of Non Statutory Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.9 Form of Common Stock Warrants, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*†10.17 Employment Agreement, effective as of June 1, 2006, between Jerome B. Eisenberg and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.10 Form of Series A Preferred Stock Warrants, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*†10.18 Employment Agreement, effective as of June 1, 2006, between Marc Eisenberg and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  


            
Exhibit
Exhibit
    Exhibit
    
No.
No.
 
Description
 
Page No.
No.
 
Description
 
Page No.
*†10.20 Employment Agreement, effective as of June 1, 2006, between John J. Stolte, Jr. and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.11 Form of Ridgewood Preferred Stock Warrants, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*10.21 Employment Agreement, effective as of August 2, 2004, between Emmett Hume and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  10.12 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the executive officers and directors of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.21.1 Separation agreement dated July 30, 2007 between the Company and Emmet Hume, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2007, is incorporated by reference herein.  10.13 Schedule identifying agreements substantially identical to the Form of Indemnification Agreement constituting Exhibit 10.12 hereto.  
*10.22 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  *10.14 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*10.23 Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Agreement under the 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  *10.15 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
*†10.24 Employment Agreement, effective as of October 1, 2006, between Robert G. Costantini and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  *10.16 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference, filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
10.25 Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 (FileNo. 000-1361983), is incorporated herein by reference.  *10.17 Form of Non Statutory Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
†10.26 Letter agreement, dated October 10, 2006, between Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and GE Asset Intelligence, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  *10.18 Employment Agreement between Jerome B. Eisenberg and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
16  Letter of J.H. Cohn LLP regarding change in certifying accountant, filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006(File No. 000-1361983), is incorporated herein by reference.  *10.19 Employment Agreement between Marc J. Eisenberg and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
21  Subsidiaries of the Company.  10.20 Employment Agreement between John J. Stolte Jr. and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.  *10.21 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
24  Power of Attorney authorizing certain persons to sign this Annual Report on behalf of certain directors and executive officers of the Company.  *10.22 Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Agreement under the 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
31.1 Certification of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.  10.23 Employment Agreement between Robert G. Costantini and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
31.2 Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  10.24 Employment Agreement between Christian G. Le Brun and the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.  
32.1 Certification of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  10.25 Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 (FileNo. 000-1361983), is incorporated herein by reference.  
32.2 Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  †10.26 Letter agreement, dated October 10, 2006, between Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd. and GE Asset Intelligence, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (RegistrationNo. 333-134088), is incorporated herein by reference.  
21  Subsidiaries of the Company.  
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.  
24  Power of Attorney authorizing certain persons to sign this Annual Report on behalf of certain directors and executive officers of the Company.  
31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and President .  
31.2 Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  


Exhibit
No.
Description
Page No.
32Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and President and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
† Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. The omitted portions have been separately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.