Iridium is a system based on 66 LEO satellites whose coverage is global and includes the Polar Regions: the largest constellation in the world of telecommunications satellites for private use.
The "Iridium" project was announced by Motorola in 1990 with a simultaneous press conference from Beijing, London, Melbourne and New York.
The name is inspired by the Iridium, an element identified with the number 77 in the periodic table: the initial design in fact provided for the orbit of 77 satellites. On 1st November 1998, with its 66 satellites, the Iridium network is completed and the operational service.
The operator Iridium Communication Inc., is a publicly traded company located in Maryland, United States.
Iridium is the only satellite telephony system that supports voice and data communications to and from any point on Earth, including the Poles. The constellation's network architecture guarantees good voice quality and great service reliability, so much so that it can be equated with terrestrial mobile communication.
Voice
Iridium allows you to receive and make calls at convenient rates in satellite mode. There is no charge for receiving calls.
Numbers reachable from all over the world
- Iridium prefix: +88 16********
Network services
- caller id
- call transfer
- call blocking
- voice mail
Messages
Iridium portable phone allows you to send and receive SMS messages exclusively from / to other Iridium phones (maximum 160 alphanumeric characters) and email. It is not possible to send and receive SMS to / from Italian GSM phones.
By connecting to the Intermatica website, you can send free SMS messages to all Iridium phones.
It is possible that some GSM Operators inhibit the sending or receiving of SMS from / to satellite phones.
Data
Iridium network allows dial-up satellite data connection up to 10 kbps, using compression software.
Pilot and Open Port marine terminals can be used for packet data connections up to 134 kbps.
COUNTRIES UNDER SATELLITE COVERAGE *
Satellite services can be used in compliance with local regulations regarding the use of satellite telephone devices.
* The coverage area of Iridium is global, including oceans and poles