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.

Battery Stations For The IsatPhone Pro And Iridium 9555 Satellite Phones

GMPCS is pleased to offer SatStation battery docking stations for the IsatPhone Pro and Iridium 9555 satellite phones. All of these new battery docking stations are capable of rapid charging a satellite phone battery in a single process without ever draining them. This accessory from GMPCS is available in single bay units as well as four bay units, for both the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro and the Iridium 9555.

Whether you work in the public service sector or the private sector, your ability to be effective depends on the reliability of you communications system.  While the batteries for your satellite phone keep you connected when no one else can, we have all experienced the frustration of having them run “out of juice”. The SatStation Battery Charger is the only standalone charging station for the IsatPhone Pro and Iridium 9555. It is the perfect solution for those who need their handset ready at all times.

The SatStations have the ability to maintain a battery’s peak condition for as long as it is left on the unit. While the battery is on the SatStation, it will be managed so no overheating or overcharging will occur. The GMPCS satellite phone rental department uses these SatStations to make sure every rental satellite phone goes out with two fully charged batteries. “The SatStation Battery docks are extremely valuable. And when I have several rental satellite phones going out, I know the batteries will be fully charged for our customers.” Says Celia Gajewski, GMPCS rental manager.

If you are interested in more information on the SatStation for your satellite phone please see our product pages for the phones below. They are available and in stock now.

• IsatPhone Pro Single Bay SatStation Battery Charger
• IsatPhone Pro 4 Bay SatStation Battery Charger
• Iridium 9555 Single Bay SatStation Battery Charger
• Iridium 9555 4 Bay SatStation Battery Charger

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.

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 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