Tag Archives: iridium

Keep in touch with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day

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We know many of our customers spend long periods of time away from their loved ones so here we have put together a little reminder of the most cost-effective ways to say hello to them this Valentine’s Day.

Iridium-Satellite-Network-LogoIridium

1. Send a free SMS to an Iridium phone at http://messaging.iridium.com/

2. 2 stage dialling – allows you to dial a US number and then enter the details of the Iridium number you want to reach. This means you only pay the cost of a call to the US. Call the Iridium gateway number on +1 480 768 2500 and then follow the voice prompts to enter the Iridium number.

Inmarsat-Satellite-Network-LogoInmarsat

1. Send a free SMS to an Inmarsat phone/terminal at http://connect.inmarsat.com/Services/Land/IsatPhone/SMS/sms.html

2. Skype: Did you know that Inmarsat is the only satellite network you can call from Skype? Call charges to IsatPhone @ £1.89 per min.

 

Thuraya-Satellite-Network-LogoThuraya

1. Send a free SMS to a Thuraya phone at https://sms.thuraya.com/

Global Telesat Communications Introduces the DeLorme inReach™ Satellite Communicator to UK and European Consumers

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First affordable, two-way communications solution provides GPS tracking and locating, SOS alerting and text messaging anywhere in the world using the Iridium satellite network.

Delorme-inReach-Satellite-TrackerGlobal Telesat Communications (GTCL), one of the UK’s leading suppliers of mobile satellite voice, data and tracking services today announced that it has been appointed as an authorised distributor of the DeLorme inReach™ 2-way satellite communicator and will offer it to maritime, recreational, enterprise and aeronautical users across the EU.

Featuring a truly comprehensive list of functions, inReach takes advantage of the Iridium network to ensure complete global coverage, making it the ideal safety companion for anyone travelling or working in remote areas. As a standalone product, inReach can send pre-defined text messages to designated recipients, activate remote tracking – allowing others to follow movements online – and send SOS messages to local search and rescue services. Additionally, it visually confirms that messages have been transmitted for reassurance during an emergency.

The device can also be paired with a compatible smartphone or tablet via a free downloadable app for full text messaging capabilities, enabling the user to keep in touch with family and friends or describe their situation and location in detail in the case of an accident. Using inReach in paired mode will allow the user to view progress on a route, with detailed information regarding heading, speed, and elevation. Built to last, the product is capable of being submerged in up to 3 metres of water, is buoyant, dustproof, and can operate at temperatures as low as -20°C to +70°C.

“Compared with similar two-way GPS satellite trackers and messengers on the market, it is easily the most affordable at £157.50 (ex VAT); no other product has the same range of features at that price-point. We anticipate that this will make inReach very popular for both leisure and business users alike and are pleased to add DeLorme’s satellite GPS device to our existing range of products,” said David Phipps, Managing Director of GTCL.

“Launching this important relationship with Global Telesat expands DeLorme’s international presence and signifies our continued growth around the world,” said Jim Skillings, Vice President of Commercial Products. “Because of Global Telesat’s established reputation and success in the region, as well as the product’s pole-to-pole global coverage through the Iridium satellite network, inReach is uniquely positioned as the safety and communication solution of choice for people whose work or recreational activities take place every day in remote regions and other areas not covered by cell phone service.”

The DeLorme inReach has won many awards from respected outdoors and technology publications since its debut at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, including several ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Gear of the Year’ accolades.

For more information visit http://www.globaltelesat.co.uk/satphone/Delorme-inReach-Satellite-Tracker.html

About Global Telesat Communications

Global Telesat Communications Ltd (GTC) is a supplier of mobile voice and data communications services via satellite. GTC provides equipment and airtime for use on all the major satellite networks including Globalstar, Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya allowing users in remote locations to make phone calls, connect to the internet and track assets or personnel anywhere in the world. GTC also offers a rental service for customers requiring equipment on a short-term basis.

Global Telesat Communications Ltd, Unit A1 Arena Business Centre, Holyrood Close, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7FJ, United Kingdom.

Telephone: +44 (0)1202 607486.

Website: www.globaltelesat.co.uk

About DeLorme:

DeLorme is a longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS products, and most recently the company has earned numerous prestigious awards for its groundbreaking integration of GPS navigation and satellite communications. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in these fast-changing technologies distinguishes DeLorme as a provider of unique solutions for both the commercial and government markets. DeLorme is based in Yarmouth, Maine, U.S.A., and is home to Eartha, the world’s largest revolving globe. To learn more, visit http://www.delorme.com.

For media information please contact:

Kim Stiver

DeLorme

kim(dot)stiver(at)delorme(dot)com

001-207-846-7018

Jim Rhodes

Rhodes Communications

jrhodes(at)rhodescomm(dot)com

001-757-753-1238

David Phipps

Global Telesat Communications

davidphipps(at)globaltelesat(dot)co(dot)uk

+44 (0) 1202 607486

New Year Offer – 10% off satellite phone rentals!

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IRDM_9555_Usage_09To wish our customers a Happy New Year we are pleased to announce a 10% discount on all satellite phone rentals ordered before 31 January 2013*.  Simply enter discount code JAN2013RENTAL at the checkout!

GTC is pleased to offer Iridium, Inmarsat & Thuraya satellite phone rentals for a minimum of just 7 days.  All phones come in a rugged Peli case with wall charger, car charger, data cable and spare battery all for just £5 per day.

*Please bear in mind that your debit/credit card will be charged for the full amount when you place the order online.

Act Now to Avoid Iridium Price Increase on Jan 1st

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We have received notification that Iridium will increase pricing on the majority of their pre-paid vouchers as of 1 January 2013.  Unfortunately we have no choice but to pass these increases on to our customers.

Where possible we advise all our customers to top-up or extend their airtime before Friday 21 December* to take advantage of the current pricing.

New pricing will be as follows:

  • 75 Minutes (1 Month Validity) – £90.00
  • 75 Minutes (2 Month Validity) – £120.00
  • 200 Minutes (6 Month Validity) – £310.00
  • 500 Minutes (12 Month Validity) – £470.00
  • 750 Minutes (6 Month Validity) – £470.00
  • 3,000 Minutes (24 Month Validity) – £1,900.00
  • 5,000 Minutes (24 Month Validity) – £2,770.00
  • Validity Extension (1 Month Validity) – £35.00

Please contact us on +44(0)1202 607486 if you have any questions regarding these changes.

*Our office will close for Christmas on Friday 21 December and reopen in the New Year.  Although we will be responding to orders placed via our website during this time we cannot guarantee a response time and would recommend customers request their top-ups as soon as they can.  Topping-up early will not reduce the validity extension you receive.

Global Telesat Communications introduces the RedPort WiFi Optimizer for fast, low-cost data connections with any satellite phone

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RedPort Wi-Fi Optimizer

10 September 2012, Poole, UK.

Global Telesat Communications Ltd (GTC), leading suppliers of satellite communications equipment and airtime, today announced they are pleased to be stocking the RedPort WiFi Optimizer – the easiest and most cost-effective way to connect your laptop or smartphone to your satellite phone or terminal for a fast data connection.

Used in conjunction with the SpeedMail Data Compression Software or XGate the RedPort WiFi Optimizer compresses your data to allow a saving of up to 85% on your data connection costs. It also makes web browsing 3-5 times faster and sending emails 20% faster than a regular satellite phone data connection.

It has never been easier to set-up your data connection; the RedPort WiFi Optimizer comes with all of the most popular satellite phone and terminal drivers built in, all you have to do is simply plug your sat phone in and you’re connected.

“Compared to the competition’s data compression devices the RedPort WiFi Optimizer at just £100 ex VAT offers a truly cost-effective solution to the sluggish data connections currently seen on satellite phones,” said Jenna Phipps, Sales and Marketing Manager at GTC. “This device allows our customers to get the most out of their sat phone and is perfect for those who need access to email and the web in remote locations.”

Not only does the device speed up data transfer it also comes with a built in firewall which will automatically block any unwanted traffic such as automatic updates which can cause satellite data costs to rocket. The WiFi capability enables you to access email and internet wirelessly via your Windows or Mac computer and a specially designed app also makes it possible on your iPhone, iPad or iPod.

The Optimizer is powered by an AC charger although 12V chargers and batteries are also available offering a variety of flexible power options when travelling whether it be by boat, vehicle or on foot! Using a satellite phone to send photos of your journey back home or update social networks such as Facebook and Twitter is now a realistic possibility thanks to the RedPort WiFi Optimizer.

Iridium Announces Second-Quarter 2012 Results; Company Achieves 21% Subscriber Growth and Updates 2012 and Long-Range Outlook

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Iridium Communications Inc  today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2012 and updated its full-year 2012 and long-range outlook. Net income was $17.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012, as compared to $11.7 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2011. Net income increased 51 percent year-over-year, benefitting from a $6.6 million reduction in depreciation expense due to an extension of the estimated useful life of the Company’s current satellite constellation. Operational EBITDA (“OEBITDA”)(1) for the second quarter was $52.0 million, as compared to $48.4 million for the prior-year period, representing year-over-year growth of 7 percent and an OEBITDA margin(1) of 53 percent. OEBITDA benefited from solid growth in commercial service and equipment revenue.

Iridium reported second-quarter total revenue of $97.3 million, which consisted of $68.5 million of service revenue and $28.8 million of equipment, engineering and support revenue. Total revenue grew 1 percent versus the comparable period of 2011, while service revenue increased 5 percent from the year-ago period. Service revenue, which represents primarily recurring revenue from Iridium’s growing subscriber base, was 70 percent of total revenue for the second quarter of 2012 as compared to 68 percent in the year-ago period.

The Company ended the quarter with 576,000 total billable subscribers, which compares to 478,000 for the year-ago period and 544,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Total billable subscribers grew 21 percent year-over-year, driven by strength in machine-to-machine (“M2M”) and commercial voice customers.

“Iridium remains on a solid, long-term growth trajectory, with good progress in several key areas of our commercial business being partially offset by what we believe is short-term weakness in traditional government voice subscribers,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “Our M2M, maritime broadband and aviation markets continue to grow revenue and subscribers in the double-digits on a year-over-year basis, built on the foundation of a superior network, innovative partner channel and favorable competitive dynamics. In addition, we expect our global aviation monitoring venture, Aireon, to be a meaningful new source of high-margin revenue once Iridium NEXT is launched.”

Desch continued, “In our government business, Netted Iridium(SM) and M2M services continue to grow at a healthy clip, while our service revenue in the high-ARPU traditional handset segment continues to be impacted by reduced government spending and troop levels. Taking a longer-term view, our strategic relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense remains strong and they continue to spend with us on developing new products and a multi-year modernization plan for their dedicated gateway.”

Iridium Business Highlights

Service — Commercial

Commercial service remained the largest part of Iridium’s business, representing 54 percent of the Company’s total revenue during the second quarter. The Company’s commercial customer base is diverse and includes markets such as maritime, aviation, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, construction, transportation and emergency services. These customers rely on Iridium’s products and services as critical to their daily operations and integral to their communications and business infrastructure.

Iridium Authorized to Distribute Products and Services in Russia

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Iridium Communications Inc. announces that OOO Iridium Communications (“Iridium Russia”) has received authorization from Russian authorities for commercial operations in the country. Iridium Russia expects to launch service in the second quarter of 2012, once all technical licensing requirements are complete.

Iridium anticipates expanded demand for its products and services in Russia as a result of this authorization for commercial operations. In 2009, Iridium formed Iridium Russia to conduct business in the country due to strong regional interest in its innovative voice and data communications capabilities. Iridium is making a significant, multi-year investment as part of its commitment to the Russian market. The company is actively engaging new and existing distribution relationships in the country to support customer demand.

“Our partners are expressing great enthusiasm for our entry into the Russian market,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “We expect Iridium Russia and partners to capture at least 40 percent of the mobile satellite services market in Russia by 2015 — which we think could be a $70-100 million market by then. Our network is uniquely suited to serve the Russian market with its ability to provide 100 percent global coverage for organizations, businesses and individuals for voice, data, tracking or other critical connectivity. Through cost-effective satellite communications services, Iridium extends the connectivity available beyond that of local telecom and technology companies serving diverse Russian markets. Iridium enables voice and data connections where traditional commercial networks cannot reach, including many remote parts of Russia and within the Arctic Region. Around the world, our service has become essential to important sectors such as maritime, aviation, emergency response, civil government, oil and gas, mining and transportation. And, Iridium Russia will be able to serve these markets within the country both this year and well into the future thanks to our planned launch of our second generation network, Iridium NEXT.”

“Blue Sky Network is proud to be an Iridium partner,” said Jon Gilbert, president and CEO, Blue Sky Network. “We believe that Iridium’s expansion into Russia will be a tremendous opportunity for both Iridium and our organization, as we seek development and growth into this high-potential and untapped market. With vast and remote regions, the Russian markets present ideal application environments for our combined technologies in aviation and land-based mobile tracking.”

Victor Chernov, acting chief of the State Emergency and Rescue Marine Service of the Russian Federation and head of the State Marine Rescue Coordination Center, said, “Iridium services will allow our operations to remain connected during critical search and rescue missions throughout the whole territory of Russia, and its exclusive economic zone, including such important regions as the Arctic. We are excited to know that Russia is now authorized to offer these services throughout the Russian Federation — this is good news for our country.”

According to Victor Glushko, general director, Iridium Russia, the country will be a strategic growth area for in-region and international service providers able to deliver Iridium products and services to Russian businesses and, specifically, transportation organizations across land, sea and air. In particular, he said, maritime and energy-related services are showing strong demand throughout the region.

Iridium Unveils World’s Smallest Two-Way Satellite Data Transceiver

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Smaller, Lighter, Global M2M Device Extends Even Further the Ways People and Assets Can Connect Everywhere

The Iridium 9603 is 70 percent smaller by volume, and half the board footprint of the Iridium 9602.

Iridium Communications Inc., today unveiled the world’s smallest, commercial, two-way satellite data transceiver – the Iridium 9603. Announced at International CTIA Wireless 2012, the Iridium 9603 is a data module designed for embedding into machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions for remote asset tracking, monitoring and alarming in defense, government, enterprise and consumer markets where existing larger transceivers could not fit.  

“With the 9603, Iridium is disrupting the global M2M market by becoming relevant to new customer segments such as personnel tracking for consumers and governments as well as fleet, vehicle and heavy equipment tracking and monitoring,” said Joel Thompson, vice president, product management, Iridium. “Through this product evolution, Iridium continues to drive forward its Iridium Force strategy of facilitating personal portable communications through our innovative approaches to reduce the size of our data and voice/data modules. The 9603 opens up a whole new set of ways for people and assets to make vital, two-way connections reliably, in near real-time. This device, which is smaller than a matchbook, further enables Iridium’s vital communications service with the same rich feature set in a terrific value proposition. And of course, Iridium is the only telecommunications carrier in the world that can offer 100 percent pole-to-pole coverage through its meshed network of 66 Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites.”

The Iridium 9603 is 70 percent smaller by volume, and half the board footprint of the Iridium 9602. The Iridium 9603 breaks down design barriers and enables Iridium’s 275 partners to embed global connectivity in hand-held personal tracking devices and even smaller vehicles, containers, devices for field monitoring, command and control applications, and unattended sensors.

“With the terrestrial M2M market now growing faster than ever, Iridium and its partners are dramatically increasing the prospects for satellite M2M along a similar path with this new development,” said Robin Duke-Woolley, chief executive officer of Beecham Research. “The major reduction in size of the 9603 transceiver will encourage smaller end user devices with embedded satellite connectivity. This type of technology innovation moves satellite M2M into application areas traditionally considered to be the preserve of terrestrial wireless and will further accelerate Iridium’s fast growth in the Mobile Satellite Services market.”

In its recent first-quarter earnings release for 2012, Iridium announced its sixth consecutive quarter of approximately 50 percent M2M subscriber growth. The company now draws nearly one-fifth of commercial service revenue from this fast-growing market segment and reported a 29 percent year-over-year increase in M2M unit sales volumes.

The Iridium 9603 is a single board transceiver that offers low latency and duplex data connectivity, permitting reliable two-way communications to and from remote devices. This not only allows users to reliably transfer location and status information, but also to remotely adjust device parameters such as reporting intervals. For example, two-way data communications enables first responders to stay in constant touch during emergency situations with personal location and tracking devices that support two way messages as well as tracking and location updates.

The Iridium 9603 complements the Iridium 9602 in a portfolio of available Short Burst Data (SBD) devices, offering development partners multiple hardware options for enabling customer solutions via the Iridium global network. This board-mounted “black box” provides the device interface through a single multi-pin interface connector and an antenna connector.

Five long-standing Iridium partners served as beta partners in the early testing and integration of the Iridium 9603. These companies are actively incorporating the device into their products, some of which are scheduled to launch as early as June 2012.

GTC announces new online satellite phone rental ordering service and new daily rates from £5/day

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Satellite phone rental is now more affordable than ever with GTC

New online ordering system
We are pleased to announce that you can now order your satellite phone rental online at www.globaltelesat.co.uk.  We aim to make your experience of hiring a sat phone as easy as possible and our new system means no more scanning or faxing applications back to us, simply choose your rental period and start date, tick to agree to our terms and conditions, make a card payment and leave the rest to us!

New daily rates
To complement the new online rental service we are now offering satellite phone rental rates of just £5 per day with a minimum rental of just 7 days.

Lower rental deposits
To cut your costs even further our refundable rental deposits have also been dropped to £500 per phone for the Iridium 9555 and Thuraya XT, and just £250 per phone for the IsatPhone Pro.

New airtime bundles

We now give you the option to pre-paid minutes to your satellite phone rental which reduces call costs down to just £1 per minute.  Bundles range from 25 to 100 minutes all working out to £1 per minute.

If you have any questions about which satellite phone is best for you please do not hesitate to contact us.

Iridium Surpasses 500,000 Subscribers Worldwide

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Iridium Communications Inc. today announced that it has reached 500,000 total billable subscribers for its satellite voice and data services worldwide. The number is comprised of approximately 90 percent commercial customers and 10 percent U.S. Government customers.

“Our consistent double-digit growth in subscribers — more than 25 percent growth every year for the last five years — is a reflection of our global network reach, our service offerings enabling important connections, and our expanding partner ecosystem,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “This milestone demonstrates how far we’ve evolved over the last 10 years from a supplier of mobile satellite phones for niche markets into a global communications company connecting anyone and anything, all over the world, in ways and places in which they expect to be connected.”

Desch noted that one of the primary reasons behind Iridium’s dramatic rate of subscriber growth is the emerging machine-to-machine (M2M) data market. The company’s second-quarter 2011 earnings showed that M2M data subscribers now represent 32 percent of billable commercial subscribers and 21 percent of billable government subscribers.

“Low-data-rate mobile satellite devices are projected to grow by more than 20 percent annually to more than 3.7 million units in service by the end of 2015,” said Tim Farrar, president of TMF Associates. “Iridium’s low-cost short-burst data (SBD) transceiver and partnerships with established world-class players in the mobile data industry will further accelerate Iridium’s already rapid growth in the M2M sector.”

“We are much like our terrestrial mobile communications peers, with data products and services representing the biggest source of incremental growth,” Desch said. “It’s also important to note that our voice products and services are continuing to grow, which we recently highlighted in our Iridium Force personal communications portfolio expansion announcement. We are making inroads into largely untapped enterprise and consumer sectors, while at the same time continuing to grow market share in our traditional vertical segments.”

Iridium NEXT, the company’s next-generation network, will bring even more capabilities and capacity for the company’s growing customer base.

“There is a tremendous potential for continued growth in mobile satellite connections around the world as terrestrial wireless networks cover less than 10 percent of the Earth’s surface,” added Desch. “We do a great job connecting the remaining 90 percent.”