This network went bankrupt a year after it started and was rebuilt in 2001 and is now running successfully.

 

Image by Marion Doss, on Flickr

 Iridium are on their fourth generation of satellite phones and they have recently brought out their newest edition, the Iridium 9575 Extreme which has more options than its predecessor the Iridium 9555, which you can still get.

The Iridium phones have to connect to moving satellites so you can have problems with coverage, depending on where you are and what satellite is closest. Nevertheless, an Iridium phone has the advantage that it will work when you find yourself in canyons or blocked behind mountains because the satellites fly overhead at different intervals, with no more than 15 minutes between the flyovers.

The Iridium satellite phones are the only ones that will work in the polar regions, so if you are planning a trip to Greenland, then this is the only phone that will keep you in touch with your loved ones..

Iridium handsets are more expensive than other network handsets. Although, they offer some great features Some can be tracked as to location history, some have panic alerts that send a signal to a pre-coded number, some can send GPS coordinates.The new Iridium 9575 Extreme has Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities for data and remote headsets. But the charger is a little hefty. You have to install a little appendage to the bottom of the phone, then plug the adapter into that, which can be a bit of a pain, and you might lose this little extra!

The Iridium phone can work without the antenna up but with limited coverage and reliability so if you are expecting calls then you have to have the antenna up permanently.

Iridium are on their fourth generation of satellite phones and they have recently brought out their newest edition, the Iridium 9575 Extreme which has more options than its predecessor the Iridium 9555, which you can still get.
The Iridium phones have to connect to moving satellites so you can have problems with coverage, depending on where you are and what satellite is closest. Nevertheless, an Iridium phone has the advantage that it will work when you find yourself in canyons or blocked behind mountains because the satellites fly overhead at different intervals, with no more than 15 minutes between the flyovers.

Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone

Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone…

The Iridium satellite phones are the only ones that will work in the polar regions, so if you are planning a trip to Greenland, then this is the only phone that will keep you in touch with your loved ones..
Iridium handsets are more expensive than other network handsets. Although, they offer some great features Some can be tracked as to location history, some have panic alerts that send a signal to a pre-coded number, some can send GPS coordinates.

 

The new Iridium 9575 Extreme has Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities for data and remote headsets. But the charger is a little hefty. You have to install a little appendage to the bottom of the phone, then plug the adapter into that, which can be a bit of a pain, and you might lose this little extra!

 

This phone can work without the antenna up but with limited coverage and reliability so if you are expecting calls then you have to have the antenna up permanently.