How to Test Your Satellite Phone For Free

TS Andrea 2013

When it comes to hurricane season, being prepared is your best defense. A satellite phone from Iridium or Inmarsat in your home’s emergency kit will help you be prepared for any natural disaster. The early start to the 2013 hurricane season with tropical storm Andrea has many first responders, civilians and businesses checking their hurricane preparations. Backup communications play a vital role when it comes to natural disaster preparedness. It’s that time of year when you should re-familiarize yourself with your emergency communications and satellite terminal.

It is highly recommended that you locate your satellite phone and make sure the terminal is active and functional. Check that all the necessary accessories are accounted for, and fully charge the phone confirming that the battery can hold a charge. You will also want to make sure that the airtime for the terminal is active and you know how to use the phone.

Inmarsat and Iridium have a free service for testing your satellite phone. This free service was designed for customers who may not use their satellite phone regularly – such as first responders and anyone keeping a satellite phone in an emergency kit. By taking a few quick steps to ensure the operational status of your satellite phone, you will be better prepared for a sudden emergency.

Iridium’s FREE Test Call
To test the connectivity of your Iridium satellite phone, make sure you are outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. Once you have powered the phone on, extended the antenna and registered on the network you can dial the free Iridium test number. Enter 00-1-480-752-5105 then press send. If your phone is working you will hear a recorded confirmation message. This call is free and works for all Iridium units: Iridium 9505A, Iridium 9555 and the Iridium 9575 Extreme.

Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro FREE Test call
When testing your IsatPhone Pro satellite phone, make sure you are outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. Power on the IsatPhone Pro and rotate the antenna so it is pointing toward the sky. Let the phone acquire a GPS and register on the network. Dial the free Inmarsat test number: +870-776-999-999 then press the green send button. You will hear a recording to confirm your phone is working properly.

If your free test call is unsuccessful then you may not have active airtime or service on your satellite phone. Please call a GMPCS representative for assistance with service for your satellite phone at +1-954-973-3100. Our role is to provide communications and support in extreme remote environments and when the terrestrial services fail. GMPCS has a choice of satellite solutions to keep you connected.

Thuraya SatSleeve Device and App Revealed

Thuraya SatSleeve App

When we think about satellite phones we are use to the bulky and ruggedness of the Iridium, or Inmarsat satellite phones. Never before have we thought that a satellite phone could be as sleek and user friendly as our everyday mobile phone. Thuraya has changed that with the release of the Thuraya SatSleeve.

The new Thuraya SatSleeve is an adaptor for the iPhone that allows calls to be made via satellite service. Measuring at 5.4 x 2.7 x 1.2 inches and weighing 3.5 ounces the SatSleeve covers the iPhone; similarly to a standard protective case. The SatSleeve holds the Thuraya SIM card, has a built in earpiece and microphone to act as a standalone phone in emergency situations. There is also a single red button located on the device that can be preset to one specific number in case your iPhone runs out of battery. However, since the SatSleeve is connected to your iPhone it also works as a battery backup. The SatSleeve comes with a 2,400 mAh Lithium ion battery that boasts up to 48 hours of battery on standby and three hours of battery while talking.

Accompanied with a free app from the iTunes App Store, the Thuraya SatSleeve works similarly to any other Thuraya satellite phone. You will need to download the app to use the device. Once the phone is docked you will use the SatSleeve app to make voice calls, and send SMS’s in satellite mode across Thuraya’s satellite network. The Thuraya satellite footprint covers more than two-thirds of the globe across 140 countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and Middle East. For a complete list of countries that have Thuraya coverage, click here.

For the foreseeable future, the SatSleeve will only be available for the iPhone. However, Thuraya is planning to eventually launch an Android model. Mobile Satellite Phone Blog will have more information on the Android version and any other related news as soon as it becomes available.

For more information on the Thuraya SatSleeve including ordering and pricing please visit GMPCS personal Communications.

Winter Storm Saturn and Vital Communications Via Satellite Phone

This week the winter storm known as Saturn has been covering Chicago and the Midwest with heavy snow. Now the storm makes its way to major cities in the Northeast. D.C. to Boston and the rest of New England are preparing for a cold weekend with windy conditions and wet snow. The forecast for this storm brings many challenges because of the warmer air from the ocean creating a mix of rain and snow. These winter conditions are certain take out power and phone lines.

When natural disasters like winter storm Saturn bear down on us with little warning, we are reminded that it is key to always be prepared. That is why it is important to consider a disaster management kit for your family. A disaster management kit should include: fresh water, canned food, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit and an electric radio, etc. Another item that is vital for communications between your family and emergency responders is a satellite phone.

Terrestrial phone lines and towers may go down in a winter storm, but a satellite phone will not be affected by this. A satellite phone; such as an Iridium or IsatPhone Pro can allow you to stay connected to emergency responders and distant relatives. Satellite phones provide similar functionality to terrestrial mobile telephones including voice, short messaging service (SMS) and low-bandwidth internet access. Having this connectivity to voice and data via satellite can prove vital for the approaching winter storm.

Take action when it comes to being prepared for a natural disaster. Don’t be caught off guard from a winter storm or end of the season hurricane. Learn more about satellite phones and how they can help keep your family connected in times of an emergency.

If you have any questions about satellite communications please visit GMPCS Personal Communications or call us at 1-888-664-3727

Traveling to Russia? Vital Information You Need to Know to Stay Connected

Iridium and the Russian regulatory authorities have reached an agreement to allow Iridium to legally operate in Russia. There has always been Iridium traffic in Russia but it was never officially allowed or forbidden. The Russian Government wants to regulate this grey market and specifically wants to be able to intercept Iridium calls from Russia to other countries in an effort to fight terrorism. So what does this mean for travelers looking to stay connected while in Russia?

Travelers wanting to use their Iridium satellite phone within Russia must register their SIM card or Iridium SBD Device with Iridium Russia. Registration information is provided for compliance with Russian telecommunications regulatory requirements. Iridium Russia will use and disclose registration information only to meet its obligations under Russian law. An Iridium device can be registered by subscribers for a 6-month period. For service requirements of longer than 6 months, a subscriber should change SIM cards and re-register.

To register, you will need to provide the information below on the registration page of this site.

• Full name
• Nationality
• MSISDN
• Iridium
• Device Model (9555, 9575 etc)
• IMEI

A website owned and operated by Iridium Russia has been created for registering subscribers. If you plan on traveling to Russia with your Iridium device start by going to www.iridiumrussia.com
We recommend to any of our clients operating in Russia to register their SIMs through iridium-russia.com as visiting SIMs and to re-register every 6 months just to be safe.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact GMPCS at 1-888-664-6272 or contact@gmpcs-us.com

How do satellite phones work?

We are all familiar with the convenience of mobile phones and landlines to make a phone call. And it certainly seems that they work almost anywhere in the world. However there are certain areas or circumstances were this convenient service is not available. That is when a satellite phone is the only method of communication.

Unlike mobile phones which use a localized phone tower to connect calls; a call from a satellite phone is sent through a satellite constellation, then sent back to Earth via the nearest satellite gateway. Then the call is routed through traditional voice networks to reach its destination.

A call that is made from one satellite phone to another will be completely routed through the satellite constellations. This way the call will not be affected by any technical difficulties on the ground. This is why satellite phones are essential for communications during a disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake or winter storm where landline communications can be destroyed.

Satellite phones rely on a direct line of sight to the satellite constellation. To use a satellite phone properly you will need a clear view of the sky, so it is important to ensure that the phone signal is not obstructed by trees, mountains, buildings or other large structures.

To choose the right satellite phone, you may want to consider the type of satellite constellation that is used. Iridium and Globalstar use a LEO (low earth orbiting) constellation. This style of satellite constellation covers the entire globe including the Polar Regions. A LEO satellite is also moving quickly from horizon to horizon, so there is the possibility of a dropped call when it is being transferred to the next satellite. Companies like Inmarsat and Thuraya use a geostationary satellite constellation. These satellites move with the Earth’s rotation, so from our prospective on the ground the satellite doesn’t appear to be moving. These satellites are in a higher orbit so you may notice latency or delay with the call, but there is a slim chance that the call would be dropped.

For more information on the different satellite phones available and their style of handsets view our previous comparison blog here.

What Time Does Your Satellite Phone SIM Card Expire?

If you have an Iridium or Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro satellite phone and are using a prepaid airtime card from GMPCS you already know about the expiration date. But did you know that the official expiration date for a SIM card is at 00:00:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)? Or that Iridium always uses GMT and Inmarsat UTC. For our purposes, there is no difference between the two indicators.


Because of this, you will need to be aware of the time zone where you are located and whether or not Daylight Savings Time (DST) is in effect where you are or in the United Kingdom (UK). Why the UK? For the answer you will need to think back to your primary school experience where we learned that the Prime Meridian was located at Greenwich, England. All satellite communications service activations, deactivations and expirations are based on GMT/UTC time.


So what does this mean for you? Well, if you are in the US Eastern time zone and daylight savings time is in effect for both the US and UK, your time will be 4 hours behind GMT. For example: 10:00 PM GMT will be 6:00 PM EDT.


Now if your prepaid SIM card expires on October 10th at 00:00:00 GMT, you will need to purchase additional airtime or a 30 day extension from GMPCS BEFORE 8:00 PM on October 9th. You may be saying to yourself, “That’s just crazy!!”, and a first glance it would seem so. But then we need to remember that satellite airtime is based on GMT and for that reason, we will need to leave reminder notes for ourselves to top-up our prepaid airtime cards in advance of the published expiration date/time.


To be safe, give yourself a 24 hour window and mark the expiration date on your calendar each time you add airtime, it will save headaches in the future and prevent the loss of unused airtime. We also recommend that you Google the current UTC time and act accordingly.


Any questions regarding the expiration of your SIM or available time extensions can be answered by calling GMPCS at 954-973-3100 or via email at: contact@gmpcs-us.com

Why More Power Companies Use a Satellite Phone: Satellite Phone First Steps

Over the past few years utility companies have seen more of a demand for remote communications via satellite. Severe weather, hurricanes or unpredictable natural disasters such as an earthquake, have increased that need. These disasters might catch most off guard, but utility companies can’t take that risk.

When severe weather strikes terrestrial communications such as land lines and cell towers can go down. In the case of a hurricane; after the storm cell towers become overwhelmed and full of traffic not allowing for reliable communications. This is unacceptable for the utility industry. A remote worker out in the field needs to be able to call the office. There is a simple cost effective solution for a situation like this: Satellite Phones.

Satellite phones don’t rely on cell towers or landlines. The remote worker and the office can both be connected by satellite communications. With satellite phones, you are not connecting to cell towers but to actual satellites. These satellites (Iridium or Inmarsat for example) provide voice and data services to wherever you are in the world.

Phones and rates have come down from the past. In the simplest form a handheld satellite and an airtime plan is all you need to get started and be connected. Recently two southeastern utility companies came to GMPCS for emergency backup communications. These communications will be provided to utility trucks and other remote workers, working to restore power. GMPCS was able to come up with an affordable solution via Inmarsat and the IsatPhone Pro. They also participate in our emergency rental program.  You can read about our rental satellite phones here.

If you are looking for a similar solution for your utility company please visit GMPCS or call Cliff Trinkofsky, our utilities sales expert.  Cliff has over 7 years experience assisting utility companies with their needs for voice and data solutions over satellite. Call Cliff directly at: 954-725-1019

With the right expertise and advice we will find a solution for your needs.

Maintaining Vital Communication for Oil and Gas in Remote Facilities Leveraging Satellite Technologies

Increased volatility in the industry is moving companies to look at ensuring all aspects of production are as effective and risks are managed effectively.

With increased exploration, particularly in remote locations such as off-shore drilling the need to enable communication, for both monitoring and human capital reasons have become key concerns for leadership teams of Oil and Gas companies.

Our series of articles over the next few weeks will address how satellite technology is being used by many companies to enhance operations and how to evaluate it in the context of your business operations for both reliability and cost effectiveness.

Topics we will cover include:

• Enabling exploration teams stay in touch with the progress of oil exploration and discoveries
• Determining suitability of satellite technology for 24/7 monitoring of remote wells and pipeline activity
• Leveraging satellite communication as part of recruitment and retention strategies for remote workers
• Using satellite technology as part of emergency procedures

We will cover the following technology landscape during our series:

• GSPS: The fit of handheld devices in Oil and Gas and understanding the pricing complexities of pre-paid and post-paid
• BGAN/Data: How to enable portable remote data connectivity using transportable satellite devices
• M2M: How satellite technologies can be used for high reliability monitoring purposes in remote locations with limited power and cell coverage
• VSAT: How fixed satellite services can be a cost effective means to provide internet bandwidth to a camp or remote office.

GMPCS is a specialist in enabling remote and hostile environment communication. With over 10 years and 10,000 customers worldwide we have enabled companies to succeed in providing secure and reliable communication to enable business continuity. For further details on our services for the Oil and Gas market please visit our website www.gmpcs-us.com or contact Tanga Williams in sales at 954-725-1012.

Satellite Phone Dockers Help The Marine Industry and Backup Your PBX System

With an increasing demand for emergency communications and satellite tracking, new technologies are always in the works. One major satellite communication company that has always been on the forefront of the satellite industry is BEAM communications. BEAM has more than 20 years of experience in the satellite industry, providing a full range of sea, land and air satellite terminals and technologies.

Recently BEAM has made a major breakthrough into the Chinese maritime market, working with a customer that has deployed 200 BEAM Oceana terminals. The maritime customer is using the Oceana units because they are specifically designed to support voice, data and tracking communications that are vital to the fisheries industry. The Oceana terminals utilize the Inmarsat satellite network via its 'Fleetphone' maritime service, adding to the reliability of the satellite communications.

When it comes to advancements in using satellite communications within buildings BEAM has a solution as well. Major natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes have increased the demand for communications in-doors. Hospitals, Banks, Hotels, Offices, Control Centers and more use BEAM Dockers for emergency back up to their existing phone systems. An installation of a small roof mounted antenna can connect your PBX system to reliable satellites if terrestrial services fail.

BEAM offers solutions for both Iridium and Inmarsat networks. BEAM Docking stations are certified by Iridium and Inmarsat to work with their exclusive handheld satellite phones.

There are several options when deciding on the right satellite phone and BEAM Docking station. To find the right solution for you or your building, speak with a knowledgeable representative at GMPCS. We have over 15 years of satellite experience and will help you choose the right solution with the best airtime. Visit our site at www.gmpcs-us.com or call 1-888-664-6727

Iridium Extreme Dockers for the 9575 Satellite Phone

Beam docking stations are available for the Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone. If you have purchased the Iridium Extreme you may want to invest in an additional battery or leather case. Now available from BEAM communications are the Extreme Docking stations exclusive for the Iridium Extreme satellite phone.

Satellite phone users often have concerns with using a satellite phone indoors. Even though the handheld satellite phone alone does not work indoors there are docking stations from BEAM Communications that allows for this satellite communication need.

The Iridium Extreme Dockers come in three different styles: the LiteDOCK, PotsDOCK and the DriveDock. Each of these Dockers has their own specific features to work in several different application.

The most affordable of the three Extreme Dockers is the LiteDock Extreme. At $250 from GMPCS you can have this Docker installed at a fixed site or in a vehicle. The LiteDOCK Extreme will charge the Iridium Extreme handheld phone while it is docked. The LiteDOCK supports the Iridium Extreme’s tracking and SOS function as well as USB data capabilities.

The PotsDOCK Extreme includes more options for the Iridium Extreme. Once docked in the PotsDock Extreme, the Iridium Extreme satellite phone can be integrated into a PBX system. Other features include RJ11/POTS connectivity, Bluetooth, built-in ringer and SOS alert notifications.

The DriveDOCK Extreme provides hands-free communications for mobile applications. The docking station has built-in echo canceling and full duplex technologies to provide superior voice quality and professional hands-free or privacy calls for any vehicle, boat or aircraft.

All of the Extreme Dockers from BEAM are fully certified by Iridium and are RoHS compliant. BEAM also offers a 2 year replacement guarantee on the Extreme Dockers. For a comparison chart on these three Dockers you can click here.

BEAM Communications also makes similar Dockers for the IsatPhone Pro and Iridium 9555 satellite phones.

Iridium Prepaid Packages and Regional Prepaid Packages Without Hassle

Are you looking for an affordable satellite phone airtime plan without hassle? Iridium prepaid airtime is your answer. Prepaid airtime on Iridium's truly global and reliable network is easy with no credit check, no annual contract or bills.

Iridium Prepaid gives you the option to pick the plan that is right for you. GMPCS offers a variety of low cost prepaid plans to fit all usage patterns from the standard 75 minute voucher with a validity of 30 days to the 5,000 minute voucher valid for 730 days. View our full range of the Iridium Standard Prepaid Vouchers here.

The best value in Iridium prepaid airtime comes in the form of regional vouchers.  These specialty vouchers cover specific areas of the world with discounted airtime.

If you are traveling to Alaska or Canada, your best value for Iridium prepaid is the Northern Lights Plan.  This regional voucher offers discounted airtime for calls originating in Alaska or Canada to Alaska, Canada or the Continental US. (Calls can be made to other areas at a higher rate).

If you are traveling to Africa, you should consider the Africa Prepaid Plan.  This voucher is valid for a full 365 days and includes 300 minutes (calls can only be generated from within the African footprint).  For more flexibility, consider the Middle East, North Africa Prepaid Plan also known as the MENA voucher. The MENA voucher offers 500 prepaid minutes for calls originating from any one of the approved MENA countries, and 200 minutes outside of this zone.

Between the standard global prepaid and the great value of these regional vouchers, Iridium Prepaid is affordable and easy.  Call our Sales Team today at 888-664-6727 to order or visit GMPCS for more information.

Satellite Phone and Network Comparison: Thuraya, Inmarsat, Iridium

Choosing the correct satellite phone can be a big task for personal use or for your business. Now, there are more options for handheld satellite phones than ever before. The major players for handheld satellite phones are Iridium, Inmarsat and Thuraya.

We also understand there may be many questions you have when it comes to choosing a satellite phone. That is why we are offering a complete comparison chart at the end of this Blog.

First thing you should know is a satellite telephone connects you to an orbiting constellation of satellites instead of land based terrestrial cell sites. Satellite phones provide similar functionality to terrestrial mobile telephones including voice, short messaging service (SMS) and low-bandwidth internet access. Having this connectivity to voice and data via satellite makes a satellite phone extremely useful in times of need. The satellite phone system is not hindered by natural disasters where land services might be hindered by hurricanes, earthquakes or floods. The three major players of handheld satellite phones have their own unique satellite constellations.

The Thuraya satellite phones work on the Thuraya satellite system consisting of 2 geostationary satellites. These satellites are located over Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Currently Thuraya does not work in the Americas. If you are traveling to the regions Thuraya covers, be sure to check out the Thuraya XT satellite phone.

The Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone uses a 66 low Earth orbiting satellite system that covers the entire Earth including the Polar Regions. If you are looking for a satellite phone with true global capabilities Iridium is the way to go.

Inmarsat has an extremely reliable satellite constellation of 3 geostationary satellites. The IsatPhone Pro is Inmarsat’s handheld satellite phone. The IsatPhone Pro gets great coverage over the Earth but will not work in the Polar Regions. A benefit to the IsatPhone Pro is once the phone is connected to the satellite, it is highly unlikely to drop the call. It is important to note that registering on the Inmarsat network with the IsatPhone Pro takes just over a minute because the phone needs to obtain a GPS fix before placing a call.

With a basic understanding of the 3 major satellite networks, it will be easier to choose the right satellite phone. We have an excellent comparison chart on the handheld satellite phones that you can view by clicking here. As always if you have a question we can answer call us at +1-954-973-3100

Is Tracking Your Assets More Difficult Than It is Worth?

As a Divisional manager with large asset investments or as a CIO’s looking to help enable controls, asset tracking has been long on promises but high on complexity in terms of implementation and management. An article recently exposed how one government state within a decade lost more than 1,500 items valued at over $3M with only a small portion attributed to theft, yet they recognized the need to implement a solution but also lamented at the complexity of implementation. Perhaps you and your organization are experiencing a similar dilemma.

Typical problems associated with asset tracking are…
Whether tracking a fleet of ships utilizing FleetBroadband monitoring the speed of trucks using Iridium satellite phones and pinpointing the location of agents via their Blackberry or Apple device. Managing all of these assets can be a daunting task. Logging into each individual system separately can waste valuable time and money. Some tracking solutions can be too complex making the task even more time consuming.

What makes a good asset tracking solution?
A good tracking solution tackles the business problem that it was designed to address. You will also want to make sure that it can help in the most effective and efficient way possible. When talking with providers about tracking we found that we also wanted the most functional features such as: geo-fencing, alerts based on speed or time, distress alert and safety options as well as affordable basic tracking.

Here is a listing of some key items to look for:

1. The ability to manage all types of inventory. A complete tracking solution is what you need.  Write down the functions you require, weather tracking your product en route, being notified when a vehicle leaves an area or arrives and being able to contact a driver in a remote area. Then compare your list to the tracking solution making sure it covers all your needs.
 
2. Consider the cost (both initial and ongoing). Tracking solutions incur a monthly subscription fee. This initial fee is for activation and continued licensed use of the software. Most tracking solutions have a minimal initial fee with a one year subscription term. The ongoing fees may include advanced options for tracking or special features. Another fee to consider is the airtime usage for a third party device such as tracking with a satellite or GPS subscription. Make sure the tracking cost is lower or equivalent to sending an SMS with your service subscription.
 
3. Ease-of-use: Your solution needs to be easy to learn, easy to use and easy to get going. The best software and hardware will require little to no IT support. It is very important that the tracking solution be simple to manipulate and user friendly.

Our company, an independent solutions provider of communication tools recently undertook a review of a broad base of hardware and software providers of tracking solutions for industry.

Using the above as criteria we quickly began to eliminate many of the vendors. Upon finalization of the review it was clear only one vendor has truly been paying attention to the customer requirements and has developed a comprehensive package to address this persistent yet highly valuable problem.

GSatTrack.

GSatTrack is a web based integrated tracking system that works on a multilingual platform. It brings together all the positions of every manufactured product under one location allowing you to display and manage them in a single unified interface.

GSatTrack supports the largest amount of assets and now works on 70+ GPS enabled devices including iPhones, satellite phones, FleetBroadband and BGAN. With GSatTrack you are able to do more than just track one of these devices. You will be able to do a remote configuration and over the air firmware updates, receive alerts based on speed, overlay geo-fences and have direct access to critical safety information, anywhere, anytime. Also GSatTrack allows you to integrate a panic button for assistance in dangerous situations increasing personnel and fleet safety.

The GSatTrack service is based on a modular system making it extremely affordable. You start with the basic tracking service and add additional features as necessary. Therefore you only pay for what you need and nothing more.
 
Companies benefit from the easy to use software that GSatTrack offers. A GSatTrack application can be downloaded onto a Smartphone or tablet allowing for real time tracking information. This App is another feature that makes GSatTrack stand out above the rest. A CEO can tap on the App to view all company assets and their actions on one simple to use interface.
 
Defining Your Needs.
If asset tracking is on your list of corporate priorities consider contacting us so we can walk through your specific needs to determine if this is the right fit for you. If it is, we’d be happy to arrange a demo day and enable you with some devices. Contact a sales representative here to arrange your quote or demo. For more information on GSatTrack and other communication needs view our site at www.gmpcs-us.com

Tips and Tricks for Iridium Satellite Phones

Prior to embarking on a trip and relying on a satellite phone for your communications; you should make sure you’ve familiarized yourself with the main functions of your satphone. The user’s guide and quick start guide that your phone comes with is a good place to start, however there are a few tricks that you may not know when it comes to your Iridium satellite phone. Be sure to read these three simple ways you can get more out of your Iridium. These tips work for all Iridium handheld phones. (Iridium Extreme, Iridium 9555, Iridium 9505A ext.)

1. How people can reach you

Your Iridium satellite phone number is an international phone number, so when family and friends dial you directly they might incur heavy international phone rates. Iridium offers a 2-stage dialing option that only uses a caller’s long distance service when calling the satellite phone. To make a voice call to an Iridium phone from a regular (landline) phone, follow these steps:

• Dial: (+)1-480-768-2500 This call is a long distance call to the Arizona Iridium gateway.
• You will hear "Welcome to the Iridium Satellite Global Network"
• Then enter the Iridium 12 digit satellite phone number. (Ex: 8816-31xx-xxxx)
• Your Iridium phone must be on, and “registered” with a satellite to receive calls (otherwise it will go to your voicemail)

Another option for contacting someone with an Iridium satellite phone is sending a free SMS text message from the internet. The GMPCS site offers a quick link on the right side of the home page that allows you to send a SMS message via the internet. Simply select the satellite phone carrier’s logo and fill out the required fields and send your message. Iridium offers a FAQ guide about this service here.

2. Check your available prepaid minutes for free

If you are using prepaid airtime service for your Iridium phone you can check your available prepaid minutes very easily. You will have to register your satellite phone on the network with a clear view of the sky, then dial 2888 and press the green send button. After a short moment an automated message will come on the line and tell you your remaining balance, the amount of days left until the SIM expires as well as the expiration date. You can also get this same information by texting the 2888 number.

3. Setting up voicemail without using Iridium airtime

At any time you can check your Iridium voicemail or set up the voicemail message from a landline phone. From a landline phone dial the Arizona Iridium gateway number 1-480-768-2500. After you hear the welcome message, dial your satellite phone number beginning with 8816-XXXX-XXXX. You will then hear the voice mail prompt or your previous recorded message. Interrupt this message by pressing the star key (*). Then enter your Iridium satellite phone password (the default is last 7 digits of your satellite phone number). Now listen to the voicemail prompt for your options. When you do this from a landline you will be using your long distance service and not the Iridium satellite airtime.

If you have any questions on these services please call +1-954-973-3100

Satellite Phones Are A Must Have For Smart Travelers

If you travel outside of main urban centers in the United States or abroad, you may find yourself without cell phone service. In case of emergency, a satellite phone can save the day or even save your life. With satellite phones available to rent or to buy fromGMPCS, you will never have to worry about traveling outside of cell phone range.

World travelers can also benefit from the affordable flat rate calling that both Inmarsat and Iridium satellite phones offer. Satellite phone rates are often a fraction of cellular roaming rates, especially in exotic destinations. To learn more about a satellite phone rental click here.

Satellite phones are reliable, easy to use and affordable. They work virtually anywhere on Earth, independently from the local infrastructure and are not affected by weather conditions or natural disasters.

With affordable rental & purchase prices and attractive airtime plans, having access to this potentially lifesaving technology has never been easier.

So while planning for your trip or for the hurricane season, consider renting or buying a satellite phone.

To purchase a satellite phone look at our most popular models the IsatPhone Pro and the Iridium 9555 or Extreme.

Hurricane and Natural Disaster Preparedness 2012 With Satellite Phones and More

With the start of hurricane season, now would be a good time to make sure you have everything you need in case of a sudden emergency. GMPCS would like you to be prepared before, during and after the storm. The following are a few items that will help for this hurricane season.

Satellite Phones
In any natural disaster the potential for landlines and cellular phone towers to go down or these networks to be overloaded is very likely. After a tornado, hurricane or flood a satellite phone may be your only way to communicate. A mobile satellite phone relies on an orbiting satellite system, which are independent from local infrastructure and therefore not affected by these natural disasters.  The most reliable satellite providers with global coverage are Inmarsat and Iridium. Both providers have their advantages and are compared in this online article.  The most affordable of the two is the IsatPhone Pro from Inmarsat. For as little as $610 you can have an emergency satellite phone, sold here. Another smart option is the IsatPhone Pro Emergency kit which includes an emergency airtime plan with the equipment.

Additional Batteries
If you already have a satellite phone, now would be a good time to test it. Check the Batteries and make sure you are familiar with making a call. Also having an additional battery is an affordable solution to being prepared. The IsatPhone Pro battery retails for just $40.95. Iridium offers a high capacity battery for the 9555 model phone and an additional Iridium 9575 extreme battery can be found here.

Battery Docking Stations
Battery docking stations are capable of rapid charging most types of satellite phone batteries in a single process. A battery docking station allows you to charge the satellite phone battery without using the handheld phone. This accessory is available in single bay units as well as four bay units, for the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro,the Iridium 9555 and other Iridium handsets.  Each bay can accommodate a charging plate designed to fit each type of battery.  Charging plates can be swapped to charge different types of batteries with the same bay.  More information on the battery docking station can be found here.



Nomad 13.5 Solar Panel

Solar Charger
When the power goes out the Nomad 13.5M solar panel may be your only source for charging your electronics. Using 13.5 watts of highly efficient mono-crystalline solar technology, its four small panels provide plenty of power and conveniently fold into a small, lightweight portable case. This solar charger will recharge the batteries of the above satellite phones for Iridium and Inmarsat. In addition it will charge a mobile cell phone, MP3 player or tablet connected via the DC cigarette adapter.

Helpful Tips When Using the Iridium AxcessPoint With Your Satellite Phone

Iridium Axcesspoint

The Iridium AxcessPoint works for the Iridium 9555 satellite phone and the Iridium 9575 Extreme.  AxcessPoint is a lightweight, portable device that connects via USB cable to the Iridium handset and creates a Wi-Fi hotspot.  It establishes a narrowband internet connection primarily suited for email messaging and browsing mobile websites.  Our customers have found that the AxcessPoint is a simplel ‘plug & play’ unit however when setting it up keep these points in mind.

A Connection call
Once you’ve plugged in the unit, there is not much that you need to do in order to start sending emails. Just detect the Wi-Fi hotspot and you are connected.  The connection speed is 2.4kbps so is it not recommended for internet browsing.  Iridium has an email compression software that comes with the AxcessPoint called Mail and Web that you will need to download from www.iridium.com/axcesspoint. Or you can use our free service of GMPCS Speedmail.  Also, there is an iPhone App that allows you to send and receive compressed emails once you are set up. 

It is important to note:  When the AxcessPoint is connected to the Iridium satellite phone and it is turned on, a connection (phone call) is established and it is kept until AxcessPoint is turned off or unplugged from the Iridium Phone.

Also do not use high bandwidth applications made for terrestrial networks such as video or music.


Secure your Wi-Fi
When you create the Wi-Fi hotspot with AxcessPoint you should make sure it is secure.  Iridium AxcessPoint can be password protected.  The default setting is not to require a password for access to the Wi-Fi hotspot. Follow the steps below to set the password:

• Turn ON Iridium AxcessPoint.
• Connect to Iridium AxcessPoint to your Wi-Fi laptop via the Wi-Fi connection.
• Open a web browser and connect to Iridium AxcessPoint’s IP address: http://192.168.0.1 This will bring you to the Administrative Page.
• Enter your Iridium AxcessPoint’s password that is the last six digits of the MAC address (can be found on the back of the device).
• On the Basic screen, under Wireless Security Mode, select WEP or WPA-PSK for security mode.
• In the Preshared key field, you can change the password. The default password is “12345678”
• Save settings.
• Iridium AxcessPoint will reboot automatically.

You have now set the password for your Iridium AxcessPoint. The new password will be required to access your iridium Wi-Fi hotspot.

For more information, please contact GMPCS at +1-954-973-3100

Iridium 9575 Extreme Satellite Phone Recall

GMPCS Iridium 9575 Extreme

Iridium has announced a complete recall of their 9575 Extreme satellite phones. GMPCS will get more details from Iridium soon, but we know that customers who purchased the Iridium 9575 will have to send their satellite phones back for replacement.  At this time Iridium has restarted production of replacement phones with a permanent fix to the problem and they will start shipping replacement units the week of May 7^th 2012. The replacements will be done on a first in/first out basis and the turnaround is expected to be 2 to 3 weeks.

Iridium has announced the recall for the 9575 Extreme due to a mechanical element on the antenna.  A deployment sensor has insufficient tolerances which are leading to instances of the sensor not working as designed. Iridium has traced the problem to a vendor manufacturing process and has worked with this vendor to stop the issue from occurring in future production. This issue is isolated to the Iridium Extreme & does not affect the Iridium9555.

 

 

Unfortunately, Iridium estimates that a significant number of shipped units are impacted. They have identified several impacts to the use of the phone. One possible result of this mechanical issue is that a customer is still able to make calls and send messages but the phone’s performance may be reduced even if the antenna is fully extended. Another possible result is that the unit may operate at a power level exceeding the equipment’s authorized FCC radio frequency limits unless the antenna is fully extended.

This issue may not impact all units; however, due to the nature of the issue, it is difficult to determine which units are affected through standard screening processes. Therefore, Iridium strongly requests that customers return all Iridium Extreme phones for replacement.

Once GMPCS has clarified everything with Iridium, we will communicate with our customers who purchased the Iridium 9575 on the logistics of getting a replacement.

www.gmpcs-us.com

The Iridium Extreme SOS Feature With GEOS

Iridium 9575 Extreme

The Iridium Extreme is the first satellite phone built with a programmable, GPS-enabled, one-touch SOS button.  The SOS feature is powered by the GEOS Emergency Response Service provided to Iridium Extreme users at no additional charge.  If you have an Iridium Extreme satellite phone it is important to understand who GEOS is and how this feature works. 

GEOS provides worldwide SOS (911) emergency response for a range of GPS-enabled communication devices.  The GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) in Houston, Texas (USA) is the heart of the rescue operation and whose mission is to aid in the response to distress calls and help save lives throughout the world.  The IERCC is an alerting post that is responsible for receiving the alert and notifying the appropriate authorities to execute the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission.

The GEOS Emergency services on the Iridium Extreme satellite phone are only available once registration with GEOS is complete with a valid Iridium subscription.  If you have an Iridium Extreme with active airtime you can complete your registration at: www.geosalliance.com/iridium

After registration, you will need to program your Iridium Extreme™ emergency mode settings to direct calls and messages to GEOS.  Instructions will be provided by GEOS at the completion.  Standard airtime charges will apply for emergency mode messages and/or calls to GEOS.

Once you have registered your satellite phone, there are enhanced GEOS Services available at an affordable price.  For as little as $13.95 you can have a Search and Rescue (SAR) membership which offers up to $100,000 (US) per annum for Search & Rescue costs (including helicopter rescue) for any emergency service expenses incurred.  Terms and Conditions apply.

Talk to your GMPCS sales representative or visit us at www.gmpcs-us.com for additional details.

Iridium Satellite Phone Dockers for the Iridium 9555

Iridium 9555 Standard Dock SatStation

GMPCS is pleased to offer the SatStation hands free docks for the Iridium 9555 satellite phone.  These affordable docking stations allow you to use the Iridium satellite phone in a building, vehicle or at sea.

One of the new solutions available is the SatStation HandsFree Dock.  This particular docking station is great for mobile applications such as in a vehicle.  The Hands Free Dock includes a 10 watt speaker and features full duplex hands –free operation.  This means your phone call will be loud and clear inside the vehicle.  The SatStation Hands Free Iridium Dock is a ready-to-go vehicular solution with cutting edge background noise filter and echo canceling technology.

If you would like to see how this docking station can be installed in a car look at this installation diagram.

Another option for a fixed installation is the SatStation Standard Dock.  This docking station for the Iridium 9555 satellite phone does not have a hands free option, however it does include a built-in privacy handset.  This option gives you the benefits of a fixed phone with a portable option.  The Iridium 9555 satellite phone can be removed from the docking station to be taken with you as a mobile satellite phone.  And since the dock is charges the portable phone while it’s docked, you will have a fully charged phone ready to be used. 

With either docking station solution you will need to purchase an auxiliary antenna.  For a mobile vehicle application we suggest the Iridium Portable AuxiliaryAntenna.  And for a more fixed or marine solution we suggest the Iridium Pole Mount Antenna.

For any questions and other solutions contact GMPCS at +1-954-973-3100 or www.gmpcs-us.com