Iridium satellite phones, produced by Iridium, the company is one the leading providers of satellite communication in the world. Motorola In 1997 launched the very first low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, to supply handheld satellite communication services(voice and Data) anywhere in the world. They called this constellation system of satellites Iridium; they crisscross the globe on a continual basis at around 17,000 miles (27,359 kilometer) per hour. ![]()
Iridium handsets are small, and are in their fourth generation design. The 9555 (last generation) is probably iridium’s best satellite handset, however they have introduced the 9575 Extreme with enhanced options- WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities for data and remote headsets. How ever one must take note of the way the constellation works, as Iridium can have minor coverage problems, due to your location on the earth’s surface and that of the closest satellite. |
![]() These satellites communicate with each other directly in space, and also link up to ground stations in thirteen different spots around the world. Iridium satellite phones can communicate through this infrastructure with any phone, anywhere, including adequate coverage of the North and South Pole. ![]() |
Iridium Disaster Preparedness Kit |
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![]() ![]() ![]() The two satellite constellation orbits, notice how LEO (iridium) is so close to the earth and see how GEO is more than 36 times more further out in space |
One of the main advantages of Iridium is that even when an iridium satellite phone is in a canyon or blocked by mountain ranges, can still obtain signal as the satellites fly overhead at different intervals and angles. Suffice to say that it‘s the only satellite network that works at the North and South Poles. Iridium SatPhones will function with the antennas retracted, but reliability and coverage will suffer slightly. Other factors to affect buying decisions is that iridium handsets are more costly than other providers such as inmarsat, Globalstar and thuraya. Location history of the SatPhones can be tracked; SOS panic alert buttons are present on some phones can even send GPS coordinates. ![]() |
The most efficient and versatile aspect of the iridium Go prepaid plans, is that you get both options of using it for Data, but in addition, for voice calls as well. Looking at the Airtime Plans below, you can see that the Iridium GO 400 allows 400 data minute and 200 talk time voice minutes featuring all the usual monthly service rates and as there is monthly service agreements or contracts, in other words this prepaid option for the Iridium GO could be the best way to save money Depending on how you want to use it. However do take note that you do not get both 400 data minutes and 200 voice minutes combined to make 600 minutes, voice minutes it is billed at twice the cost of data, and vice versa the starting 400 minutes would be equal to 200 minutes of voice calling. You can use either 400 minutes of data, or 200 minutes of voice, however its not fixed as you can combine the Data and voice options and let the iridium GO prepaid card system do the math for you.
PLAN
PRICE
DATA
DATA RATE
VOICE
VOICE RATE
VALIDITY
Iridium GO 400
$400.99
400 min
$1.25/mi
200 min
$2.50/min
6 Months
Iridium GO 1000
$749.99
1000 min
$0.75/min
500 min
$1.50/min
12 Months
Here just like your regular smartphone package You pay a monthly airtime charge and get monthly statements of all the calls placed and data used, which means if no minutes are used you only pay the monthly subscription. So in other words the post paid service is great for using withthe Iridium GO Satellite Hotspot device over a long period of time, when globally traveling wide and far, as the Iridium GO Monthly postpaid plans offer worldwide voice and data communications. So You get absolute peace of mind, why?
With Iridium GO postpaid service, there is no need to worry about the prepaid sim card expiring or needing to top up just because the balance has gone low. The Iridium GO! Monthly Plans are easier to manage as you only get the minimum monthly cost that you can manage and budget easily, as opposed to upfront payments of prepaid minutes up front, again its all about the reassurance and peace of mind of knowing that your Iridium GO! will be ready to GO and ready to use when you need it.
And whats more is that you can use as many minutes as needed, you will not need to worry about your minutes
GO! PLAN
GO!
GO! Plus
GO! 75
GO! 150
GO! Unlimited
Monthly Fee
$44.99
$99.99
$74.99
$99.99
$124.99
GO! Direct Data Minutes Included
No Minutes
25 Mins Per Month
75 Mins Per Month
150 Mins Per Month
Unlimited Mins Per Months
GO! Voice Minutes Included
No Minutes
25 Mins Per Month
No Mins
No Mins
No Mins
Voice calls Landline & Mobiles
$1.49/Min
$1.49/Min
$1.25/Min
$1.15/Min
$1.10/Min
GO! Direct Data Overage Rate
$0.99/Min
$0.99/Min
$0.75/Min
$0.45/Min
Unlimited
All Other Data Non Mobile Apps
$1.49/Min
$1.49/Min
$1.25/Min
$1.15/Min
$1.10/Min
Text/SMS
$0.50
$0.50
$0.35
Unlimited
Unlimited
Activation Fee
$50.00
$50.00
$50.00
$50.00
$50.00
And what's more, is that you can use as many minutes as needed, you will not need to worry about your minutes finishing, why? Because (another advantage is that) there is no limitation on the minutes used, at least you know that your device will be active and available in any critical situation or condition.