FAQ
Iridium FAQs
Iridium is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mobile satellite phone system consisting of 66 orbiting satellites at an elevation of approximately 600 miles above the earth in polar orbits. Iridium Service is available on global basis!
What services are available on the Iridium Network?
How did Iridium get started?
Does Spirit Wireless offer Iridium to rent?
Does Iridium offer Data Service?
Does Iridium offer Paging?
What services are available on the Iridium Network?
Iridium Data Services
- Using your computer and an Iridium satellite phone, you can connect to the Internet or a corporate network from virtually anywhere in the world, allowing you to browse the web, send and receive email and transfer files.
International SOS
- Please note that to use this service, you MUST be an International SOS member through one of their qualifying programs. Please contact International SOS or Spirit Wireless for more details.
Short Burst Data
- Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) service is a new data service that enables value-added applications to send and receive short data transactions efficiently over the Iridium network.
Iridium Voice Services
- If you work, live or travel in areas outside cellular coverage or in areas with inadequate land line service, Iridium is for you. Eighty-six percent for the world's landmass and all of its oceans are in areas with inadequate land line service. Iridium addresses these situations by providing coverage in all ocean areas, air routes and all landmasses - even the Poles.
Iridium Crew Calling
- With a single SIM Card and a single Iridium phone, vessels can now have both traditional subscription service and prepaid service. Captain and officers use their traditional subscription service as required for ship's business while crew members can place prepaid personal calls.
Fax & Enhanced Messaging
- Iridium Fax and Enhanced Messaging service offers and extensive suite of options allowing subscribers to transmit and receive information in different format over the Iridium constellation of 66 satellites.
Ship Security and Alert Systems
- Iridium Satellite has introduced a new range of maritime satellite communication services providing cost-effective solutions for ship owners to meet the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for Ship Sectary and Alert Systems (SSAS).
Short Message Service (SMS)
- As an Iridium voice subscriber, your phone performs double-dute as a voice communication and messaging device. The Iridium Satellite phone can send and receive up to 160 alphanumeric characters, in a single message. Once you turn your phone on and register with the Iridium satellite network, your new messages will be sent directly to your handset.
Iridium Global Paging Service
- Only Iridium Global Paging Service offers global paging and messaging services. Iridium Global Paging Service uses the Iridium constellation of 66 satellites to enable subscribers to receive numeric and alphanumeric paging virtually anywhere on the planet, from cities to remote areas.
Iridium Prepaid Services
- With Iridium prepaid services, users have a cost-effective communications system at their fingertips, eliminating the headaches of monthly bills or subscription fees while providing the reach and accessibility users have come to expect from Iridium.
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How did Iridium get started?
Iridium was initially a project headed by Motorola in the late 1990’s whereby they developed the system and attracted investors globally. Unfortunately, the project was doomed from it’s inception since management had no idea how to evaluate market demand as it related to price. The system at this juncture cost 5 Billion USD$ and could only attract less than 50,000 subscribers. In the year 2000, the system went into bankruptcy and was almost de- until it was pulled from bankruptcy court in 2001 by a consortium of private investors for 25 Million USD$. The system exists today with handsets and service pricing at dramatically lower costs than initially introduced and has become a marketable success showing well over 150,000 subscribers and growing!
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Does Spirit Wireless offer Iridium to rent?
Yes. You can find out more information on Iridium or fill out our Iridium Rental Form.
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Does Iridium offer Data Service?
Yes.
Circuit-switched Data Service at 2400 BPS provides
reliable data services using a computer connected to the Iridium handset.
An Iridium data kit is available which provides the cable, connector,
handset stand, and computer software. The computer software has been designed
for easy installation and provides for straightforward data connectivity.
Once installed and configured, the user can establish a data connection
by simply clicking on the appropriate on-screen icon.
Iridium's Direct Internet Service utilizes dedicated
Internet servers located in the Iridium gateways, this service offers
enhanced performance by leveraging high-speed server to Internet connectivity
and optimized server to handset communications. Utilizing this service,
the Iridium data user can execute accelerated file transfers and efficiently
browse the Internet and exchange e-mail.
As with the dial-up data software, the user can establish a data connection
by simply clicking on the appropriate on-screen icon. Enhanced effective
data throughput is achieved by utilizing a combination of user transparent
accelerant's, including protocol optimization and data compression. A
typical user will experience data rates of approximately 10Kbps nominal
web browsing or text based file transfers.
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Does Iridium offer Paging?
Paging
Iridium Global Paging Service uses the Iridium
constellation of 66 satellites to enable subscribers to receive numeric
and alphanumeric paging virtually anywhere on the planet, from cities
to remote areas. Because the messaging signal is so robust, a clear line-of-sight
to the satellite overhead is not required to receive your messages. And
with follow-me paging, if a caller can't reach you because your phone
is busy or switched off, Iridium Global Page Service automatically prompts
the caller to leave a voice mail or numeric message. Your pager notifies
you that a message has arrived. Stand Alone paging is priced at $70.00
per month, while Follow-Me Paging, which is linked to an active voice
terminal is priced at $50.00 per month.
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