Several other global communications networks in development, including Motorola Inc.'s Iridium project, would not need to use the same frequencies sought by Teledesic.

As with Motorola's Iridium project, most of the software production in India is the writing of components of larger programs designed in the United States.

Five companies are seeking to establish satellite phone service, including Motorola Inc., whose Iridium project is the most ambitious.

The Sprint investment was part of about $800 million in initial international financing announced by Motorola yesterday for its $3.4 billion Iridium project.

The proposed system bears some resemblance to the Iridium project.

Motorola said it had lined up $800 million in financing, including about $40 million from Sprint, for its Iridium project.

The agreement marks a big victory for Motorola Inc.'s ambitious Iridium project, a proposal to launch a fleet of 77 small satellites that would each circle the earth.

Motorola said it had lined up 21 potential investors for its Iridium project to provide wireless telephone service.

The luxury plan is Motorola Inc.'s much publicized Iridium project, a $3.4 billion proposal to launch 66 satellites (recently scaled back from the original plan for 77).

And now companies like the long-distance phone company Sprint are investing heavily in the Iridium project.