Iridium Communications and Tecnolog�as de Control del Norte (TECNOR) have announced that the Mexican Red Cross, the United Nations and multiple other Mexican government agencies have increased their usage of Iridium 9555 satellite phones in support of Haiti relief and recovery efforts.

These TECNOR customers had the ability to make their Iridium phones and service operational within minutes of arriving in Haiti for use following the January 2010 earthquake, which made land-based and cellular communications unavailable.

"Instant communications play a vital role in our ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts," said Isaac Oxenhaut, national disaster relief coordinator of the Mexican Red Cross.

"The Mexican Red Cross is using Iridium service for reliable, real-time communications between our team in Haiti and our headquarters in Mexico."

"Iridium is a mission-critical component of relief organizations operations. Our service is the only reliable mobile option after a disaster when terrestrial infrastructure is down," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, global distribution channels, Iridium.

"Iridium handsets are simple to use and make training a straightforward process for first responders. This is valuable to relief organizations, which have a regular stream of new volunteers and expanding missions."

"Iridium is the service of choice for these organizations' emergency communications efforts," said Alejandro Valdes, project manager, TECNOR.

"Iridium is the only truly global mobile satellite services solution that provides an initial communication connection for responders. Our customers have realized the value of having a mobile satellite service that is not only reliable but works anywhere - no matter where you deploy people and assets. These organizations are critical to the housing, feeding and medical care provided to citizens from the first day of a disaster all the way through what may be a lengthy rebuilding process. Then, they will need a service that instantly works if they re-deploy elsewhere."