ICO Global Communications will be launching their satellite, the ICO G-1, from Cape Canaveral, Florida in April.

The geosynchronous satellite will be used to transmit video, navigation and emergency assistance information to mobile devices in vehicles. The service, called ICO mim (mim = "mobile interactive media") will be run in trial-mode by the end of this year, and will be offered commercially in early 2009, according to ICO executives.

ICO has spent $450-$500 million in the new program, and just spent $44 million to get the satellite insured. The launch and in-orbit insurance coverage is for up to $344 million during the launch phase and up to $278 million during the in-orbit phase.

ICO G-1, built by Space Systems/Loral, will be launched by Lockheed Martin on April 14th. The spacecraft will be shipped to the Cape this week.

[ICO]