Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) has selected Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) to develop an Access Network Controller (ANC) in its gateway ground radio control network. The ANC is part of a multi-year plan for Iridium to upgrade and evolve its gateway network in preparation for Iridium's nexgen satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT.

Under the development contract, Hughes will design and supply a fully tested, turnkey ANC system, which will be integrated with Iridium's existing system, together with training and maintenance. Iridium expects the ANC to be complete and operational by the fourth quarter of 2011.

"The new ANC will be a pivotal component of Iridium's global satellite network, processing all voice and data calls based on the Iridium air interface," said Matthew Mohebbi, vice president and general manager of mobile satellite, Hughes. "Hughes is using state-of-the-art Advanced Telecommunication Architecture (ATCA) platforms to design an ANC with significantly increased bandwidth and signal-accessing capabilities to expand Iridium's network capacity, and support the additional features and services planned for Iridium NEXT."