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.

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

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.