Few making jokes about Iridium now. (global communications venture)

In the midst of seemingly endless technical problems last year surrounding the initial launches of satellites making up the global communications venture Iridium, it wasn't unusual to hear skeptics joke about getting a calendar of scheduled delays.

But with all of the systems components finally dropping into place, including this month's live demonstration of what the system has to offer, few are laughing now.

Those who helped contrive the $5 billion system are within months of powering up the world's first truly global communications system, whose not-so-humble motto boasts the ability to reach "anyone, anytime, anywhere."

But investors are hoping for a lot more than technological breakthroughs, and getting a clear signal on profitability could prove a tougher call.

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