Iridium launches new, powerful satellite phone

Wednesday, 22 October 2008 08:56

Iridium Satellite LLC unveiled its smallest, most powerful satellite phone, the Iridium "9555". The innovative, all-new design of the 9555 offers a significantly reduced size, a more hand-friendly form factor, an intuitive user interface,

and new features such as an internally stowed antenna. It is compact, light and easy to use, featuring a brighter screen, a speaker phone, improved Short Messaging Service (SMS) and email capabilities, and an upgraded mini-USB data port.

 

The new phone is engineered to withstand and perform well in the world's most rugged, remote and industrial environments, including being water- and shock-resistant.

Combined with the only communications network providing truly global coverage, the 9555 delivers the reliable, secure, real-time, mission-critical communications service that Iridium users have come to expect.

Iridium is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data communications solutions with complete coverage of the entire earth including oceans, airways and even Polar Regions.

The Iridium 9555 utilizes the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world, consisting of 66 low-earth orbiting cross-linked satellites, and operates as a fully meshed network with in-orbit spares.

"Iridium phones are the only handsets that can be used in absolutely any location, in any condition, instead of cellular, landline or radio services that can become inoperable when towers go down or telecommunications infrastructure is compromised. Since the 9555 is lightweight and simple to use, it will be the satellite phone of choice for emergency workers and customers in other remote environments such as the open seas, on rugged industrial sites, and in extreme travel scenarios."

The 9555 design includes a menu-driven interface, making it very user-friendly for customers. Soft keys are utilized to allow for flexible menu choices and ease of navigation.

The 9555 handset will be available from Iridium service partners starting in November 2008.

Source: Iridium