- How do I place a call FROM an Iridium phone?
- How do I place a call TO an Iridium phone (direct and two stage dialing)?
- How do I send a text message to an Iridium phone?
- What are the rules for Prepaid SIM cards expirations and renewals?
- (Dial-Up)
Can I dial into my Internet Service Provider using an Iridium phone?
- (Dial-Up)
Does Iridium Dial-Up Data Service work in a MacIntosh environment?
- (Dial-Up)
Does Iridium recommend any specific Internet Service Provider?
- (Direct)
Does Iridium Direct Internet Data Service work in a MacIntosh environment?
- (Direct)
What is "Spoofing"?
- (Direct)
What is the Smart Connect feature offered by Direct Internet Data?
- (Direct)
Why does my Internet connection keep dropping while I am using Direct
Internet Data?
- Are
Iridium World Data Services available for AVIATION UNITS?
- Are
Iridium World Data Services available for MARITIME UNITS?
- Are
Iridium World Data Services sold separately?
- Are
there any benefits of using one Iridium World Data Service over the
other?
- Are
there any ways to increase the speed while downloading web pages?
- Can
any items within the Data Kit be purchased separately?
- Can
any Operating System be used with Iridium World Data Services?
- Can
I hyper terminal with Iridium World Data Services?
- Can
I make a dial-up call using my Palm Pilot?
- Can
I send a fax through an Iridium phone using either Data Service offered?
- Can
I still get text messages while on a data call?
- Can
I use a Solar Charger to charge both my Iridium phone and my laptop
computer at the same time?
- Can
I use my existing Iridium phone for a data call?
- Can
I use my existing Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) for using Iridium
World Data Services?
- Can
I use my Kyocera phone to make Iridium World Data Service calls?
- Can
I use Netscape Navigator with Iridium World Data Services?
- Can
I videoconference using Iridium World Data Services?
- Do
I need a special modem to make an Iridium Data call?
- Do
I need any special software to use Iridium World Data Services?
- How
can I display my SIM card phone number?
- How
do I access my personal mailbox?
- How
do I make calls to/from the Iridium system?
- How
do I obtain updated versions of the Iridium Data software?
- How
do I register my 9500/9505 phone with the satellite network?
- How
do I use the quick access keys on the Motorola 9500?
- How
does the Iridium Global Paging Service compare with existing paging
operators that offer international service?
- I
am not a current Iridium subscriber, but am interested in purchasing
Iridium World Data Services. What should I do?
- Is
the Iridium World Data Services CD required to use either Data Service
offered?
- Is
there an additional charge for Iridium World Data Services?
- What
are the Message Delivery Areas (MDAs) for the Iridium paging service?
- What
do the display messages on my phone mean?
- What
do the service light indicators mean?
- What
is included in the Iridium Data Kit?
- What
is Short Burst Messaging?
- What
is the difference between Dial-Up Data and Direct Internet Data?
- What
is the function of the SIM card?
- What
is the rate of speed for each offered Iridium World Data Service?
- What
software is needed to read the documents on the Iridium World Data Services
CD?
- What
types of Iridium World Data Service are available?
- When
will Short Burst Messaging be available?
- Where
can Iridium World Data Services be used?
- I need more information on how to use the Mobile Originated (MO) Short Message Service (SMS)
- How do I send a Satellite message?
| How do I place a call from an Iridium phone? |
- You must be outside with a clear view to the sky. Satellite phones do not work indoors.
- Make sure the antenna is firmly seated in its socket. Hold in the button above the antenna, and firmly push the antenna all the way into the socket. While the antenna is firmly seated, release the button.
- Rotate the antenna up to a 45 degree angle, you will hear a click when it is in the correct position.
- Pull on the end of the antenna to fully extend it.
- Power on the phone and wait for the phone to register with the satellite.
- To place a call enter 00 followed by country code, area code and phone number. The country code for the US is 1. So, to place a call for example to 770-555-1212, you would enter:
00 1 770 555 1212 (without the spaces), then press the "Send" button.
If you experience problems,
review this FAQ page.
There is a 24x7 support line staffed by Stratos, our air time provider. If are still having a problem, give them a call. Before calling them, you should have available your Iridium phone number and the numbers off the sim card which is in your phone. Our activation confirmation email should have contained the sim number if you provided it. If you don't have this number, remove the back cover and then remove the battery. You might need to remove the sim to see the numbers. To remove, you slide the lock to unlock. After recording the sim number, place it back in the same position, insert battery, put the cover back on.
The best way to get support is then to go outside with a cell phone and the Iridium phone, and call the toll free number from the link above, using your cell phone. They can then diagnose your problem.
If they determine there is a hardware malfunction in your phone, it will need to be returned for repair. If it is a malfunctioning sim card, we'll have to send you a new one. If they determine it is a problem with your sim/phone number activation (not activated, no minutes remaining, etc.), then call or email us and we'll determine the problem. |
| Back to Top |
| How do I place a call TO an Iridium phone? |
Before traveling, you should provide those that need to contact you with instructions for placing a call to your Iridium phone.
There are two ways that calls can be placed to your Iridium phone.
- Direct Dialing - Caller places international long distance call directly to the Iridium phone. Start with the international dialing prefix for the country where the caller is located followed by your Iridium phone number. The international prefix for the US is 011. So to place a call to the Iridium phone from the US, the caller dials 011 followed by the Iridium phone number beginning with country code 8816. If you do not answer the phone, the caller may leave a voice mail message that you can retrieve later.
When placing a direct call as described above, the caller pays for the international call, and the incoming call on the Iridium is free, and does not use your minutes. However, some long distance carriers charge a very high per minute rate for calling country code 8816. We advise that callers check with their long distance provider for the per minute rate for country code 8816 before using this method. We provide an alternate method of placing a call to the Iridium to avoid this international rate, which is two stage dialing.
- Two Stage Dialing - The caller places a call to 408-768-2500. At the prompt, the caller enters the Iridium phone number beginning with 8816. The call is then transferred to your Iridium phone. With this method, the caller pays for the call to area code 408, which is a US number. The incoming minutes will be charged to the Iridim phone at the same rate for placing a call, or in the case of prepaid minutes, the minutes are subtracted from your remaining prepaid minutes.
Most users select Two Stage Dialing since it is normally less expensive, and eliminates each caller needing to check with their particular long distance carrier to determine the international rate to call country code 8816. Select the method which best meets your usage requirements. |
| Back to Top |
| How do I send a text message to an Iridium phone? |
| People that need to contact you may also send a text message to the Iridium phone. Incoming text messages are free, and can be retrieved when you connect to the satellite. To send a message, go to http://messaging.iridium.com/. This is the best method since a text character counter is provided. Alternatively you may send an email by entering the Iridium phone number into the following generic email address, 8816[number]@msg.iridium.com. You may send a maximum of 160 characters, including the header information. Any messages in excess of 160 characters will be truncated. |
| Back to Top |
| (Direct)
What is "Spoofing"? |
| When data
is not transmitting over the connection for a period of time, the
connection "spoofs." When a connection spoofs, the phone
connection is dropped and a placeholder is reserved in the server.
Once the user sends data (e.g. click on a hyperlink or send an email),
the phone automatically dials back into the system and the connection
is reestablished almost immediately. This feature reduces airtime
and improves the phone´s battery life. |
| Back to Top |
| (Direct)
Why does my Internet connection keep dropping while I am using Direct
Internet Data? |
| Direct
Internet Data Service uses software that assists you in managing your
airtime by seamlessly connecting and disconnecting you through the
Iridium system. When data is not sent over the connection for a period
of time, the connection "spoofs." When a connection spoofs,
the phone connection is dropped and a placeholder is reserved in the
server. Once the user sends data (e.g. click on a hyperlink or send
an email), the phone automatically dials back into the system and
the connection is reestablished almost immediately. This feature reduces
airtime and improves the phone´s battery life. |
| Back to Top |
| Can
I use my existing Iridium phone for a data call? |
| Yes. You
can use your Motorola 9500 and 9505 Satellite SeriesTM Portable Phone, either as stand-alone units or coupled with the 9570* Portable Dock to place a data call. All Motorola Satellite Series Phones require data capable software versions, which are available through your Authorized Service Provider. The Motorola 9500 and 9505, when used without the Portable Dock, require the user to purchase the Iridium Data Kit to make data calls.
*The Motorola 9505 requires a special adapter to work with the Motorola 9570 Portable Dock. This adapter will be sold separately at a future date.
|
| Back to Top |
| How can I display my SIM card phone number? |
- Step 1 - Press Menu until you see "Phone Book", and then press "OK" to select.
- Step 2 - Press Menu untill you see "My Phone Number(s)", and then press "OK" to select.
- Step 3 - Your SIM card phone number will be displayed.
- Step 4 - Press and hold "C" to exit the menu.
Note: If you do not see your number(s), they have not been programmed
onto your SIM card. Contact your Service Provider for more information.
|
| Back to Top |
| How do I access my personal mailbox? |
- Step 1 - Dial MSISDN/ISDN-A or 8816 629 90000.
- Step 2 - Wait for voice prompt.
- Step 3 - Enter the number you are trying to reach (e.g. 8816 310 11425).
- Step 4 - Interrupt voicemail greeting by pressing *. Wait for prompt to enter password.
|
| Back to Top |
| How do I make calls to/from the Iridium system? |
Example 1 – Originating a call from a landline phone in the United States terminating to an Iridium satellite phone. It does not matter where the satellite phone is located, the dialing is the same.
From the landline phone, dial: 011 8816 XXX XXXXX
011, International Direct Dial (IDD) access code for United States/8816 XXX XXXXX, the MSISDN
Example 2 – Originating a call from a landline phone outside of the United States terminating to an Iridium satellite phone. It does not matter where the ISU is located, the dialing pattern is the same.
From the landline phone, (i.e. France) dial: 00 8816 XXX XXXXX
00, International Direct Dial (IDD) access code for France / 8816 XXX XXXXX, the MSISDN.
Example 3 – Originating a call from the Iridium satellite phone (does not matter where the satellite phone is located) to a landline phone located in the United States.
From the satellite phone, dial: 00 1 602-752-XXXX
00, for all outbound calls from the satellite phone/ 1, United States country code/ 602, area code/752-XXXX, actual phone number.
Example 4 – Originating a call from an Iridium satellite phone (does not matter where the satellite phone is located) to a landline phone located in another country.
From the satellite phone, dial: 00 CC XXXXXX
00, for all outbound calls from satellite phone/CC, country code/XXXXXX, actual number.
|
| Back to Top |
| How
do I register my 9500/9505 phone with the satellite network? |
Step
1 - Press the "up arrow" then 8 on the phone.
Step 2 - The phone screen will display "Registering".
Step 3 - When you see "Registered" and the signal strength indicator
or the home signal on the phone screen you are ready to make a call.
Step 4 - If you see "Rotate Antenna" extend antenna upward and make
sure you have a clear view of the sky.
Step 5 - If you see "Call Failed", "System Busy", "Restricted Area",
or "Weak Signal", this means the phone is unable to access the network.
Try again in a few minutes.
|
| Back to Top |
| How
do I use the quick access keys on the Motorola 9500? |
Up Arrow and 1 – Find phone book entry by name.
Up Arrow and 2 – Check signal strength.
Up Arrow and 3 – Call voicemail.
Up Arrow and 4 – Show battery meter.
Up Arrow and 5 – Lock phone now.
Up Arrow and 6 – Turn vibrate alert on and off.
Up Arrow and 7 – Read messages.
Up Arrow and 8 – Register with the satellite network now.
Up Arrow and 9 – Turn forwarding all calls on and off.
|
| Back to Top |
| What
do the display messages on my phone mean? |
Power
On Messages
Blocked - If the SIM card PIN code is incorrectly entered three times
in a row, your phone becomes blocked. Please contact your Service
Provider.
Blocked, Contact Your Supplier - Please contact your Service Provider
immediately.
Check Card - This message indicates that the SIM card is damaged or
inserted incorrectly.
Enter Phone Unlock Code - Your phone was locked after the last use.
Enter your four-digit unlock code and press "OK".
Enter PIN - Enter the 4-8 digit SIM card PIN. If you are unsure what
the PIN is, contact your Service Provider.
Enter PUK - Please contact your Service Provider.
Insert Card - Power off your phone; make sure your SIM card is inserted
completely; and then power your phone on again.
Registering - Your phone is registering with the network. When the
process is complete, you will see "Registered".
Rotate Antenna or Orient Antenna - You also hear a tone when you see
these messages. Extend the antenna upward and make sure you have a
clear line of sight.
Searching… – The phone is attempting to establish connection to the
satellite. |
| Back to Top |
| What do the service light indicators mean? |
Alternating
Red and Green: An incoming call.
Flashing Green: You are receiving a signal from the satellite, and
can place and receive calls.
Flashing Yellow and Red: You did not successfully register with the
satellite and cannot receive any incoming calls. Your SIM card may
be inserted incorrectly, may not be inserted, or you may be in a restricted
area. (See message on phone)
Flashing Red: Service is not available. |
| Back to Top |
| What
is Short Burst Messaging? |
| Short
Burst Messaging (SBM) services, currently being developed by Iridium,
will provide two way messaging from small data messaging terminals.
SBM services, targeted for unattended sensor, alarm and control applications,
will support message sizes of 50-75 bytes and provide very low latency
delivery. |
| Back to Top |
| What
is the function of the SIM card? |
| SIM (Subscriber
Identity Module) cards are currently used in all GSM-based systems.
The SIM card is a removable module that contains user identity, account
information, and stores phone numbers which can be used in any compatible
phone where your SIM card is present. When inserted into a telephone,
it allows you to place or receive calls. The SIM card may already
be inserted into your phone when you receive it from the dealer. If
it is not, you can easily insert it into the slot provided on the
handset. |
| Back to Top |
|
