Satellite Phone Service – Which Is the Best Global Service?
The Department made this decision as the Iridium system offers state-of-the-art technology. It features on-satellite signal processing and satellite communications crosslinks allowing satellite-mode service to any open area on earth. Giving mobile, cryptographically secure telephone services to small handsets anywhere on earth, pole-to-pole, 24 hours a day this is the only system that can provide what the government needs. Iridium and its DoD enhancements gives portable service not otherwise available.
The US Navy has a requirement of more than twice the size of the current capability. The Department of Defense needs the Iridium system which offers small unit operations in areas without satellite constellation coverage or at times when various assets are being used in other contingencies. Use in polar zones, combat search and rescue activities, and communications for Special Forces operations, and will also be greatly improved in communication capabilities with the Iridium system. “Iridium will not only add to our existing capability, it will provide a commercial alternative to our purely military systems.
This may enable real civil/military dual use, keep us closer to the leading edge technologically, and provide a real alternative for the future,” said Dave Oliver, principal deputy undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics). Iridium customers take their phones to the ends of the Earth. When things go wrong, they’re right there with you. Support is through their global network of service partners, and is always available. They will work with you to identify problems and solutions for any Iridium product. FACTS about IRIDIUM: Iridium provides voice, SMS, and data service worldwide, including the polar caps, but for a few countries with the Iridium blocking service, e.g. North Korea. Iridium operates 67 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO).
hese cover the globe in a variety of polar orbits. Iridium phones use the L-band frequencies so you must be in direct line of sight with an Iridium satellite in order make a call. The best situation would be to be on flat ground with nothing blocking you more than 15 degrees of elevation above the horizon. Mountains, trees, buildings or other objects may block some or all of the satellites causing moments of spotty service. A call to a public switch telephone number (PSTN) is rout from satellite to satellite until it finds the Iridium gateway in Arizona. It is then rout to the PSTN number.
If the satellite moves behind an blocking structure such as a tree or building. The call could be pass to a different satellite. Due to blocking situations that can arise dropped calls can happen. And you must be aware of this with an Iridium satellite phone. As Iridium satellites are always moving another satellite should be along soon to continue your service. When your phone’s signal strength indicator has at least 3 bars of signal strength you may dial again. Iridium satellite phones can still make calls in most weather conditions, though electromagnetic interference. From powerful transmitters in the vicinity may cause slight errors.
If you need truly worldwide communication Iridium is the best choice. IRIDIUM DATA SERVICES: Iridium has a 2400 bps data rate, which equals about 1 MegaByte (MB) an hour. Therefore Iridium can offer data applications such as text-based messages. If you have mission-critical communications needs, you need 100% reliability. Lives may be at stake. Here’s why Iridium’s proven satellite communications phone service is the best. Independent testing shows that Iridium’s first-time connection rate is better than 99%.
Iridium can therefore offer the industry’s only Network Quality Guarantee. And promises 100% satisfaction with your Iridium satellite communications phone service. Iridium has an unmatched record for reliability, year after year. With a verifiable first-time connection rate of better than 99 percent. A White Paper from Frost & Sullivan, published in 2007, reported that “…calls through. The Iridium system are nearly three times more likely to be successfully connect and complete. Without being drop, than calls placed through the Globalstar network.”
