How Do I Make A Call from My Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone?

Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of RentASatPhone.com.au,  Australia’s number one online rental satellite communications store

In this article I want to answer one of the most common questions I get from anyone looking into satellite phones in Australia, “How do I make a call from my Iridium 9555 satellite phone?”

The new Iridium 9555 is the easiest satellite phone ever produced by Motorola.

It’s often thought that you need a Masters degree to operate a satellite phone. Well I’m here to say the good news is this is simply not the case.

In fact it’s completely the opposite.

Using a satellite phone is remarkably easy. After reading this article you’ll recognise that this is how you used to make a phone call ten years ago, before iPods, before cameras and a host of other very useful but completely unused features on your current mobile phone.

Simply take the Iridium 9555 out of its box and place the SIM card in the back, as shown in the manual. Place the battery over the top of the SIM card, close the back and you’re ready to go.

We find most batteries have some power remaining from the factory, but we recommend a complete charge before full-time use.

Simply press the black button at the top of the phone to switch it on.

The 9555 satellite phone will then go through its start-up procedure. To begin with, it will display ‘Searching’ on the front screen.

A point to note here is that satellite phones need a clear line of sight to the sky. Unless you have put an external aerial in place, please make sure you are outside and away from tall buildings or something that may stop you having a clear line of sight with the sky.

So, assuming you are outside, it will then display ‘Registering’. This means it has located the satellites and is registering with them.

Around ten seconds later it will display ‘Iridium’. Your satellite phone is now ready to be used. It has connected with the network and is awaiting your command.

Dial the country code and the local number, missing out the ‘0’ in the State code in the same way you would if dialling internationally.

For example, if you were calling someone in Queensland you would dial 61 (for Australia), then 7 (for the Queensland State code) and then the number XXX-XXXX: : 61-7-XXX-XXXX.

Then press the green button on the left of the phone for the connection to take place. Please be patient as it can take a few seconds.

For someone to call you, they simply dial 0011 (the International code), 8816 (Iridium’s satellite phone code and then your number.

When you’ve finished the call, press the red button on the right of the satellite phone and this will hang up the call.

I trust you found this information useful. If you’d like to know anything more about satellite phones and how to use them, please contact us.

We’ll be happy to help you.

See our website for more free advice and to learn all you need to know about satellite phones.

Visit www.RentASatPhone.com.au or call us on 1300 851 591.

What Satellite Phones Work in Australia?

Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of www.Rentasatphone.com.au Australia’s number one online rental satellite communications store.

In this article I want to answer one of the most common questions I get from anyone looking into satellite phones in Australia, “What satellite phones and networks work in Australia?”

There are three satellite networks that operate in Australia. We will cover two of them here. The third is called Inmarsat, which is the network generally used for data transfer such as emails, for searching the internet or for photos, pictures and videos.

We will stick to the two most common networks available for normal satellite phone communications in Australia.

Firstly there is the Thuraya network. This is an Asian network which covers two thirds of the earth, including Australia.

It uses a slightly lower satellite network than Iridium. Although it should work in any location in Australia, our extensive experience has identified several incidents or events that may prevent your Thuraya handset from operating.

There are two Thuraya handsets available in Australia. The first is the SO2510. It’s a small, lightweight handset that offers the best opportunity to get satellite communications at the lowest possible price, normally around the A$990 mark.

It has lots of added features, including GPS Latitude and Longitude. The SO2510 is a small no fuss unit ideal for emergencies. It can only be purchased through an authorised Optus satellite dealership and comes with an Optus airtime plan.

We award this handset three stars because, for the first time, it has allowed consumers to get into satellite communications at a very low initial price.

The second satellite phone in the Thuraya range is the SG2520, a more funky phone crammed with the sort of features you’re more accustomed to on your standard mobile phone, such as a camera.

Thuraya claim this phone is a dual phone and can work in normal GSM mode if it is available and then switch to satellite phone mode when your standard mobile phone network is no longer available.

It’s a bit more expensive at around the $ A2,000 mark.

The second network and the most well known and used is the Iridium network. This is the only truly global network.

The Iridium network partnered with Motorola many years ago. They have great brand recognition and a reputation for being the “go to” satellite phone company for the person who wants to be guaranteed they will get through everywhere, every time.

The Iridium network uses a higher satellite orbit so it doesn’t suffer from the non-connections we have experienced with other networks.

With over 66 satellites currently orbiting the earth it makes sure you connect to 4 satellites before connecting you, giving you more secure and more stable coverage.

Iridium have just launched their new satellite phone, the Iridium 9555. It replaced the much loved and outstandingly reliable Iridium 9505a handset. As you can probably guess, I was a fan.

The Iridium 9555’s main improvements are that it’s 30% smaller than its predecessor. Its aerial is now part of the phone itself and operates better. Iridium claim it has a 30% increase in signal strength.

It has unlimited SMS character functions and comes standard with a mini USB lead so you can download emails to your laptop.

Although more expensive than its predecessor, ranging in price from A$2,200 to A$2,400 depending on where you buy it, unlike the Thuraya handsets the Iridium comes with an outstanding array of standard equipment - car charger, mains charger, magnetic roof-mount antenna, travel plugs, leather case, and the mini USB cable for data transfer.

In our opinion this satellite phone will continue where the 9505a left off - as the market leader. We think it deserves the award and give it 5 stars.

We hope you enjoyed this brief look at satellite communications in Australia.

If you’d like to see more articles just like this one, covering the most frequently asked questions about satellite phones and everything associated with them, visit our website.

Visit www.rentasatphone.com.au or call us on 1300 851 591.

Can I get a Prepaid Card for my Satellite Phone?

Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of RentASatPhone.com.au,  Australia’s number one satellite communications Rental store.

In this article I want to answer one of the most common questions I get from anyone looking into satellite phones in Australia, “Can I get a prepaid card for my satellite phone rather than entering into a contract?”

I will do my best to steer you in the right direction with this question but please be aware things change in this ever-changing world.

At the time of writing the two satellite networks available in Australia are Thuraya and Iridium.

Up until July 2009 it was possible within Australia to buy a Thuraya handset and also purchase a prepaid time-limited card. Thuraya have since signed an exclusive deal with Optus which means you can only buy a Thuraya handset through an Optus authorised satellite dealer.

We consider this a great shame as Thuraya had carved themselves a growing market by providing a great value for money handset. For those people who simply wanted something for emergencies or for the occasional home conversation this was easily the best solution.

At the moment Optus do not offer a prepaid option with their Thuraya handsets.

For consumers who have purchased them in Australia prior to July 2009, however, purchasing top-up to their already existing prepaid cards is no problem.

This leaves the Iridium network. Well, the answer is, “Yes, you can buy prepaid with an Iridium phone.” But this comes with many limitations.

First, currently in Australia the only prepaid options Iridium offer are a two-month 80mins prepaid on a “use it or lose it” basis. So if you don’t use your credits in that two months you will lose them.

Iridium then give you just one month’s grace to top up  that card. If you don’t, you will lose your card and phone number and have to start again.

The second option is a twelve-month time card with 500mins on it on the same “use it or lose it” basis.

The reality is that it costs so much to put each satellite into orbit and to run them that it’s not really financial viable for these companies to sell prepaid for their services.

Until we can negotiate to change this, at the time of writing these were the only options available.

But watch this space.

I trust you found this information useful. If you’d like to know anything more about satellite phones and how to find the plan that’s best for you, please contact us.

We’ll be happy to help you.

See our website for more free advice and to learn all you need to know about satellite phones rental.

Visit www.RentASatPhone.com.au or call us on 1300 851 591.