Outfitter Satellite FAQs

If you have a prepaid Iridium SIM card you can dial 2888 or send an SMS (short message service) message to 2888. If you dial the 2888 shortcode, you will hear an auto-attendant provide the remaining minutes on the account, the number of days until the account expires, and the date and time (GMT) of expiration in English. If you use the SMS method, you will receive the same information by reply SMS to your phone. There is no charge for checking your Iridium balance using either of these methods.

From your Iridium phone, dial your own 12-digit phone number. Be patient since it can take up to 30 seconds to connect the call. You will be prompted for your Iridium voicemail password. By default, your password is the last 7 digits of your Iridium mobile number. Un-defaulting your Iridium voicemail password is a good idea. If at some point you forget your voicemail password, it can be reset by Outfitter Satellite technical support.

On most service plans, you should dial 00 plus the country code and the number. The country code of the U.S. and Canada is 1. So, for example, to call Outfitter Satellite dial 00 1 615 889 8833. If you are dialing another Iridium Satellite Phone, then dial 00 8816xxxxxxxx. The 8816 is the country code of the Iridium^® Satellite Network and xxxxxxxx is the balance of the 12-digit Iridium mobile number you are calling.

There are some important exceptions to the above statements:

If your 12-digit Iridium mobile number starts with 8816318... you need to dial 698 plus the country code and the number (the rest of this FAQ assumes you should use the 00 dialing prefix).

An Iridium 9555 or Iridium Extreme^® satellite phone can be configured to automatically insert the 00 prefix. See your user manual for more details.

The easiest way to call your Iridium satellite phone is the Two-Stage Dialing method (see below). When you call the Iridium satellite phone, if no one answers, the call will be forwarded to the Iridium voicemail system. The caller simply needs to follow the voice prompts and leave a message.

There are three methods:

• 2-Stage Dialing: The most economical way to call an Iridium phone is to use two-stage dialing. To do this from a U.S. landline, dial 1 480 768 2500 and enter the 12-digit Iridium mobile number. The caller will hear "YOUR CALL IS BEING FORWARDED, PLEASE DO NOT HANG UP". Be patient as it can take 20 to 30 seconds to connect the call. This call will be billed at a rate found in your service agreement.

• +1 Access or Local Area Number Service: This is an optional service that assigns a dedicated U.S. phone number to your Iridium mobile phone. Calls made to this US number are automatically forwarded to the Iridium satellite phone. This call will be billed at a rate found in your service agreement.

• Direct Dialing From a Landing: You can dial an Iridium directly. From a U.S. landline this is done by dialing 011 (to make an international call) followed by the 12-digit Iridium mobile number. The caller will be billed by their long distance carrier -- usually at a VERY high per minute rate.

Yes you can connect an iPad, iPhone, or Android tablet to the internet. The best way to do this is with our Optimizer hotspot. Note: These will require external power.

There are 66 Iridium satellites in Low Earth polar orbits. If you are on a calm sea or on perfectly flat land with no trees or mountains or buildings, your Iridium satellite phone probably will see two to four of these satellites at any given time. Unfortunately, usually there will be vertical obstructions around you. You need a direct line of sight between your Iridium satellite phone's antenna and an Iridium satellite in order to make a call. To reduce the likelihood of a vertical obstruction blocking your Iridium satellite signal, move to an open area without nearby buildings or trees.

Many people attempt to use the satellite phone from inside a building near a window. Though this can work, the roof of the building is probably blocking signal from some of the satellites. Metallic solar treatments on windows can also block the signal. You will have less call drops if you exit the building and find a clearing nearby. If you need to use the satellite phone from within a building (other than a cloth tent), you can purchase external Iridium antennas and/or docking stations for your handheld Iridium satellite phone.

Another way to reduce the number of call drops is to wait until you have at least 4 or 5 bars of signal before initiating a call.

The Iridium 9555 supports sending and receiving 160 character text messages directly from the Iridium phone. Inbound SMS messages are free of charge. An easy way to send a free text message to an Iridium is to go to the Iridium SMS Message Center; you will need the Iridium phone's 8816 mobile number. The message typically takes from 1 to 5 minutes to arrive at the Iridium satellite phone.

Troubleshooting: If a very high volume of SMS messages are being sent, you may see a longer delay. In this case, the Iridium SMS Message Center may come back with a message such as: "Delay in Sending Message. Your message has been queued. Our system is currently experiencing a high level of message requests. Your message has been added to the send queue and will be transmitted as soon as possible." If you are seeing this message, usually the message will arrive within 15 to 30 minutes.

There are several different ways to use your Iridium Extreme to send your GPS position to friends so that they are aware of your location as you travel. The Iridium Extreme offers an LBS (location based tracking) service that can be used in conjunction with a private password-protected web portal to track Iridium Extreme satellite phones and retain history of your positions. LBS does have additional monthly fee costs but if you intend to transmit your position thousands of times a year this may be a good choice for you.

Users that only need personal GPS tracking services on an occasional basis usually choose SMS tracking services. There are no additional monthly fees other than your service contract. The phone automatically transmits its position an SMS message at equal time spacings and you pay only for the SMS messaging services that are used. If you set the time spacing to be 15 minutes, this would provide 32 position reports during an 8 hour hike. The cost is very economical as it would be only 32 SMS messages. The information below is for the basic user:

Manual GPS Sharing

• Use the left soft key and up/down scroll keys to select Menu : Setup : Location Options : GPS Options. Then under GPS On/Off make sure GPS is enabled. Then, click the right soft key once to back up one level. Under GPS Update Options we recommend that you select 10 or 15 minutes. Then, click the right soft key twice to back up two levels.
• At this point, you should be at the Location Options level. Scroll down and select Message Options. Scroll to and select Quick GPS List. You can put up to 5 SMS or email recipients into the Quick GPS List. Remember you will be paying separately for each recipient address. To add one, scroll to an (empty) recipient and click on Options and then click on Edit. To create a text recipient, select Enter Number. As an example, if you have a U.S. phone number such as 615-482-1987 you would put in +16154821987 for the number. If you decide to enter an email address, please note that the * key gives you access to special characters.
• You are setup to share your GPS position. To do so, press the convenience button on the right side of the phone. You lat/long will be displayed. If it is not displayed, you have to wait for the GPS to get a fix. Remember the GPS antenna is on the upper right side of the phone, so don't cover that with your thumb. It can take a minute or so to get a GPS fix. Once you have a GPS fix, you can share it by using the left soft key to select Share and again to select Quick GPS. Your position will go out to everyone that is a recipient on your Quick GPS List.

Creating an Automatic Breadcrumb Trail

• Go to Menu : Setup : Location Options : Message Options : Regular Update : Update Frequency. You can choose 5, 10, or 30 minutes. Remember that you will pay for an outbound SMS to each recipient each time the Iridium sends out a position report, so we generally recommend that you select 30 minutes.
• Click the right soft key to backup one level and scroll to and select Update Recipient. Select Options and then Edit and Enter Number as before to put in the cell phone number of the person that you want to receive the breadcrumb trail report.
• You are setup. If you keep your phone powered on and have used our recommendations, it will automatically transmit your GPS position every 30 minutes. The recipient can click the hyperlink to see your position on a map.

Since this normally is used for an emergency declaration, we recommend that you carefully read your user manual. This paragraph is a quick overview of the setup. In a manner very similar to the above GPS sharing features, you go into Menu : Setup : Location Options : Emergency Options. Under Emergency Actions we recommend you select Message & Call. Under Emergency Recipient define one or more SMS or email addresses to receive your emergency declaration. Under Call Recipient define a phone number to call. In order to make sure you have entered valid text, email, and phone numbers, be sure to TEST that each recipient receives your communication successfully before you are actually in an emergency condition. Remove the protective shield cap and press the red S.O.S. button to initiate an emergency communication.

Iridium Push-to-Talk (PTT) service uses a small portable handset to provide unlimited PTT communications between different satellite phones active on the same Talk Group. The Talk Group area can be defined on the fly by the customer's designated Administrator using a simple easy-to-use web interface called the Iridium PTT Command Center. A quick video overview of the Iridium PTT Command Center is provided below. Simple geometric shapes such as circles and squares are dragged onto a map to define the Talk Group.

The Iridium Extreme® PTT can operate in either telephony mode or PTT mode. The ICOM IC-SAT100 is a dedicated PTT-mode-only phone with an overall design similar to typical mobile radios.

Iridium Push-to-Talk service has two components: a Talk Group plan and an Iridium PTT phone plan for each Iridium Extreme PTT satellite phone.

This depends of the phone model you select. The Iridium Extreme^® PTT phone supports phone calls and texts to public switched telephone numbers (telephony) in addition to Iridium Push-to-Talk communications. The ICOM IC-SAT100 PTT (shown right) only supports Iridium Push-to-Talk communications and does not support telephony.

Iridium Push-to-Talk is intended for groups of workers needing communications that can reach an entire group simultaneously.  If your organization has at least 5 workers operating in remote locations, Iridium Push-to-Talk could offer significant advantages over conventional land mobile radio (LMR).  But if your group has only two or three people, we recommend using conventional Iridium voice communication or texting services.

Yes, the Iridium Push-to-Talk services described on this site can be used globally, except for the Middle East Region. Special service plans are available for the Middle East Region.

The Iridium PTT Command Center is an on-the-fly web portal that lets your administrator adjust the boundaries of talk groups or change talk group device membership instantaneously.

Sometimes there is a need for different Iridium PTT subscriber groups to work together temporarily. For example, this is a common occurrence amongst emergency response organizations. If your organization needs to collaborate with another Iridium Push-to-Talk subscriber group, your organization's administrator can use the Iridium PTT Command Center web portal to temporarily share one of its talk groups with the second organization.

Sometimes it is necessary for Iridium Push-to-Talk users from different subscriber groups to collaborate. For example, this might occur is two state emergency response organizations collaborated during a regional emergency. Temporary sharing of a Talk Group owned by one subscriber can be achieved in a few moments by the respective administrators for the two groups using the Iridium PTT Command Center web portal.

Each Iridium Push-to-Talk phone can access up to 15 Talk Groups, which can be configured on-the-fly through an online web portal. A single Small Talk Group with a talk group area roughly the size of the State of Indiana is free to any customer with 5 or more active Iridium Push-to-Talk phones. A Small Talk Group can be divided into as many as 5 non-contiguous regions. So it is possible, for example, to cover a part of Tennessee and a part of Texas and a part of New York with a single Small Talk Group. The Medium Talk Group has a coverage area roughly the size of Arizona and can be divided into up to 10 non-contiguous areas. An additional monthly fee would apply. If multiple talk groups are necessary, additional talk groups are available for additional monthly fees. Each Iridium Push-to-Talk phone can access up to 15 different Talk Groups.

There are systems available to bridge Iridium Push-to-Talk talk groups to Land Mobile Radio talk groups. Please call for more information.

In order to assure best results, orient the antenna of the Iridium Extreme PTT up towards the sky. Try to stay clear of tall buildings, trees and other vertical obstructions.

For in-vehicle applications, you will need to use a docking station with an external antenna mounted on the exterior of the vehicle.

Following successful registration with the Iridium network, use the device status screen and observe the tones that indicate when you are granted the floor to speak or receive push-to-talk communications.

Audio defaults to the Speaker and you can increase and decrease the volume to enhance clarity. If you need better sound quality, use the ear piece that is included with the Iridium Extreme PTT or plug in a third-party but approved wired headset.

To start a push-to-talk call, push and hold the PTT Button on the right side of the Iridium Extreme PTT handset until you are granted the floor to begin speaking. You will hear a series of connecting tones at one second intervals followed by a Talk Tone (3 notes ascending in rapid succession) or a Reject Tone (2 notes descending in rapid succession). The Reject Tone occurs if the service is busy or unavailable.

When you receive the Talk Tone, continue holding the PTT Button the entire time you are speaking. Release it when you are done speaking. If you attempt to hold the button for longer than 20 seconds, the floor will automatically be open again for others to speak.

Even if you are not speaking, be sure to keep the antenna oriented towards the sky so that you will be included in new PTT sessions initiated by others

The original Iridium GO! is a small satellite phone with a built in Wi-Fi access for your smartphone. Specialized aps let you send and receive email using your smartphone, but the data speed is 2.4 kbps. The new Iridium GO! exec is an Iridium Certus device which is larger than the Iridium GO! but still very portable and provides two (2) voice lines with much higher voice quality and much faster internet access up to 88 kbps (down) and 22 kbps (up). Both devices can be used globally on land or at sea.

Yes, to configure the Wi-Fi password, go to Advanced > Wi-Fi settings via the Iridium GO! application

There is a reset button that will restore factory defaults. It is a small button next to the recharging port. You will need a paperclip to press it. Resetting the Iridium GO! will change the default username back to "guest" with password "guest".

Check that your Wi-Fi antenna is up (so the unit is ON) and make sure the Iridium GO! has a clear unobstructed view of the sky. If it is sitting next to the wall of a building, you are blocking its view of much of the sky. If it is sitting under a tree, again, you are reducing the signal it can see from the satellites.

Verify that you are using the same default password for both apps. By default the username and password are both "guest". If you change the default password on one app you must change it on both.

You can use the Iridium GO! with Android and iOS devices such as iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Currently, Windows and Macintosh computers are not supported.

There are principle apps. The Iridium GO! app enables you to make and receive phone calls, send 160 character SMS messages (to either text addresses or email addresses), send your GPS location (either manually or automatically at equal time spacings), send tweets, and initiate S.O.S. messages. You can also use it to configure various settings including a firewall, Wi-Fi security, and user administration. Different users can be limited by the administrator, e.g. to make texts only, or to be able to make phone calls and send texts, etc.

The other key app is the Iridium Mail & Web app. This app allows you to send and receive full featured email messages with attachments. Outfitter Satellite recommends that you keep attachments under 100 KB because of the slow 2400-2800 bps data rate. You can also send photos which (by default) will be compressed to 300 pixels making. You can disable the image compression (in Settings) and send larger images files but this will take considerable time. The Iridium Mail & Web app also has other features including Weather downloads. Some of the functions of Iridium Mail & Web do not work well. In particular the Web Browsing feature works but can only be used for very light highly mobile-optimized web sites.

Several third party weather GRIB file apps are available for a small additional cost. We recommend the WeatherTrack GRIB app for iOS users.

All iOS devices can download the apps free from Apple App Store. Android devices download the app free from the Google Play Store. Just search for Iridium GO! and Iridium Mail & Web. Then install them.

The default username and password for the Iridium GO! app is username: guest and password: guest. The username and password for the Iridium Mail & Web app are found in your setup confirmation email.

Both prepaid and postpaid plans are available. Some of these plans allow unlimited SMS messaging and unlimited GO! internet data. Unlimited SMS messaging can be especially important if you are using the Iridium GO! as a tracking device, since SMS messages are used to transmit GPS position reports. Unlimited GO! internet data is particularly useful for customers downloading large files such as GRIB files.

Also, any other plan available for an Iridium handset can be applied to an Iridium GO!. This includes postpaid, global prepaid, and regional prepaid plans.

One important optional service available on most postpaid plans is a dedicated US phone number for your Iridium GO!. This service makes it easier for your friends and family to call you through the Iridium GO!.

The Iridium GO! has a built-in speaker which will ring when an incoming call occurs. Just start the app on your smart device and take the call.

The S.O.S. function can be an important safety tool, but it has to be configured before you use it. You need to specify a phone number and a texting address to be contacted in the event the S.O.S. button is pressed. You can configure the S.O.S. button from the Iridium GO! app. The emergency contact phone number and texting address are stored inside the Iridium GO! so if you have an emergency, you can press the built-in S.O.S. button on the Iridium GO! itself to send your GPS location and the emergency message. You can also initiate the S.O.S. message from the Iridium GO! app on and smart device that is connected wirelessly to the Iridium GO!. In this case you can send the emergency preset text message and initiate a voice call to your pre-configured emergency contact phone number.

Another option is to configure the S.O.S. function to use the GEOS service. See your user manual for more information on registering for GEOS service. An active subscription is required for GEOS service. If you do configure the S.O.S. button for GEOS, when the S.O.S. button is pressed, a communication will be initiated to GEOS so that they can provide emergency response coordination for you. You will be billed at standard rates for all communications initiated through the S.O.S. button.

On the Iridium GO!’s physical control panel, you can access a menu. Press the “Next” function until you have highlighted “Information”. Then select it and press “Next” until you see the firmware version.

Up to 5 smart devices can be connected simultaneously to the Iridium GO! via Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi range is nominally 100 feet though that range can be reduced by walls and other obstacles blocking the signal. Only one of them can be making or receiving a phone call at any given time.

The battery life allows up to 7 hours of talk time or 16 hours of standby. Extreme cold or hot temperatures can reduce the performance of the battery. The Iridium GO! battery cannot operate the GO! at temperatures under -10°C. You can recharge using the AC adapter from any 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz outlet. The DC car adapter can be used if you have 12 Volt vehicle power. The USB-to-micro-USB cable can be used to charge from any USB power source such as a computer.

If the Iridium GO! has a direct line of sight with the sky it will not need an external antenna. Often, even if it is inside a tent or backpack or thin fiberglass covering such as the cabin of a small boat, as long as there is no metal that blocks the RF signal, the Iridium GO! will still work. If you need to use the Iridium GO! from inside a building or vehicle the optional External Antenna Adapter lets you connect an antenna cable and external antenna.

The standard kit includes the following: Iridium GO!, Battery, Micro USB Cable (for charging or firmware upgrades), AC charger (4 int’l adapters: US, UK, EU, AU), DC charger, Protective cover, User Guide and Legal Booklet, and GEOS Brochure. We also have a Marine Bundle for the GO! that includes an external antenna adapter, a 10-meter antenna cable, and a pole-mountable marine-grade mast antenna.

Yes, but the data speed of an Iridium GO! is only 2400 to 2800 bps (best case). Outfitter Satellite recommends against attempting web browsing. Email is a better use of the Iridium GO! though for best results you should avoid email attachments larger than 100 KB. If you absolutely need to do web browsing, use only mobile-optimized websites or text-only websites. You can send and receive emails in two different ways. You can send 160-character emails through the Iridium GO! app Message feature. You can receive inbound (160 character) emails on the Iridium GO! app’s Message feature if they are sent to xxxxxxxxxxxx@msg.iridium.com (where xxxxxxxxxxxx is your 12-digit Iridium mobile number). To send and receive longer emails and emails with attachments you must use the Iridium Mail & Web app. Unfortunately, because of the slow data speed and frequent call drops, it is usually necessary to press the “Send and Receive” button again and again to get a successful email transmission. You will have better success if you wait until you see 4-5 bars of signal on the Iridium GO! device.

In this case, the cellular call will preempt the Iridium GO! call. The Iridium GO! call will be disconnected.

Though you cannot access your @myiridium.net email without using your Iridium GO!'s airtime, you can use your Iridium GO!'s fetch feature to access a third party email account such as Hotmail etc. Since you can access your hotmail account through either a terrestrial internet connection or the Iridium GO!, you have solved your problem. The trick is to give out the Hotmail address instead of your @myiridium.net email address.

If you have web access, the easiest way is to use the Iridium SMS Web Portal. You can also send a 160 character email to 8816xxxxxxxx@msg.iridium.com (where you have put in your 12-digit Iridium mobile number in place of 8816xxxxxxxx).

Some Iridium GO! users with an iPhone can’t be heard when making calls. If this is happening to you, it is possible that when you initially installed the Iridium GO! app from the Apple Store you enabled a mute restriction. Solution: Go to iOS settings and select "General". Scroll down and select “Restrictions”. Scroll down and select "Privacy". Select "Microphone" Make sure your microphone is set "On". Note: if it was set to “Off”, then this was the reason that outbound audio was not working properly on your iPhone.

GEOS is an emergency response service that can be used with the Iridium GO! S.O.S. function. For more information, call our Customer Service department at 615-889-8833.

Iridium OpenPort terminals are no longer manufactured and have been replaced by Iridium Certus.

Iridium Certus provides global service including the polar regions. Various competing services are available including VSAT and Inmarsat FleetBroadband which do not provide coverage in the polar regions, but do provide higher data rates. Currently the fastest data speed available by Certus terminals is 704 kbps down / 352 kbps up.

Iridium Certus terminals have either 2 or 3 voice lines depending on the model. The sound quality is very good. Voice lines can be configured in 3 ways:

• Captain's line (may be configured to require a PIN before use)
• Crew line (individual prepaid cards can be used to limit usage)
• Normal line (unrestricted calling)

The user will enter the number to be called using the standard Iridium format: 00+country code+area code+phone number. For the Iridium Pilot, the number must be followed by the # to initiate the call.

It is not possible to call a Crew line. If the line is configured as a Normal or a Captain's voice line there are potentially three methods to call it:

Local Access Number: A U.S. number can be assigned for a small additional monthly fee.

Two-stage dialing: To do this from the U.S., dial 1-480-768-2500 (which is the Iridium 2-stage platform). When the auto-attendant answers, the caller needs to enter the Iridium satellite phone's 12-digit Iridium mobile number. The 2-stage call will be charged to the Iridium phone's account. The rate for 2-stage calls will be found in your service agreement.

Direct Dial: From the U.S. dial 011 followed by the 12-digit Iridium mobile number. Direct dialed calls are paid for by the calling party and there is no charge to the Iridium phone's account. WARNING: The cost for Direct Dialed calls to Iridium phones tends to be very high so the calling party should contact their long distance carrier and become aware of the rate before making this type of call.

Some Iridium Certus devices, like the Thales MissionLINK 700, have a below decks unit (BDU) and a separate antenna unit must be mounted in an area free of obstructions with a clear unobstructed view of the sky in all directions horizon to horizon.

In marine applications, the antenna must be mounted above the radar and outside the beam path. We also recommend that it be at least 20 feet above the water line. The antenna should be mounted above areas accessible to passengers to avoid passenger exposure to antenna radiation.

The most effective procedure is to use an application firewall that only allows traffic from a limited number of applications on your computer to pass through the BGAN terminal. The firewall could be a stand-alone product configured between your computer and the BGAN terminal or firewall software built into your operating system, such as the Windows firewall. Third-party firewall systems are not supported by Outfitter Satellite, but on some plans we can offer a firewall service that can limit the types of data traffic being passed through the Inmarsat PoP.

Another approach is to configure your computer, smart phone or tablet to minimize the amount of unnecessary background processes that access the internet. We have several blog articles on how to do this for various popular operating systems, including: Macintosh, Windows, iOS, and Android.Most computers have many background process including virus updates, software patches, data backup and other such processes. If these processes are allowed to continue while you are using the BGAN it will significantly increase your usage costs.

Web browsing is often a source of unexpectedly high data usage. Web caching prevents you from download the same graphics over and over so turn off automatic cache or history deletion and increase your cache volume to its maximum recommended size. Also, most browsers have settings that let you shut off animated graphics, background sound, and graphics. A free Basic Web Compression Feature is available on most of our service plans. Basic Web Compression pre-compresses graphics and text from a web page prior to downloading them over the satellite into your computer in a manner similar to what most cellular smart phone services do for their browsing services. Graphics viewed over the web browser will be of lower viewing quality, but your browsing costs will be reduced by as much as 40%. The pre-compression service is fully automatic. If you want Basic Web Compression turned on, just contact Outfitter Satellite technical support.

Finally, disconnect from the internet when you are not using it. Leaving a standard IP data session running opens the possibility to unexpected usage.

Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network or BGAN is a global satellite communication service that uses small portable or vehicle-mounted terminals. BGAN terminals provide voice calling, internet access, streaming IP data, short messaging (SMS), and in some cases ISDN services. The coverage of Inmarsat BGAN is nearly global except for the polar caps.

Streaming IP Data: The fastest data speed available from any BGAN is via Streaming IP Data in HDR (high data rate) mode. HDR typically achieves data transfer speeds over 650 kbps. Streaming IP Data is billed on a per minute basis based on the amount of connection time. The most typical application is video conferencing or video broadcast. Some video codec systems for broadcasting video, such as LiveU, allow two EXPLORER 710 terminals to bond to provide data speeds as high as 1.2 Mbps. This enables the transmission of close to standard definition television video over BGAN. Not all BGAN terminals offer HDR mode. The Cobham EXPLORER 710 is our recommended terminal for HDR applications.

Standard IP Data: This is the most commonly used BGAN broadband service. It is billed based on the number of MB (megabytes) of data transferred instead of the connection time. There is no Quality of Service (QoS) for Standard IP Data. Rather, it is offered on a shared-bandwidth best-effort basis. Data speeds up to 492 kbps are available on Class 1 terminals. Other terminal classes have lower maximum data speeds.

What does this mean? We have calculated the time it would take to transmit 1 MB at various speeds. The 1 MB of data transfer includes the file size and any error correction protocols used by your computer software:

Time to transfer a 1 MB file at 200 kbps: 40 seconds

Time to transfer a 1 MB file at 300 kbps: 27 seconds

Time to transfer a 1 MB file at 400 kbps: 20 seconds

Time to transfer a 1 MB file at 600 kbps: 14 seconds

If you are calling from a U.S. landline, 011 is the international dialing prefix. For many other countries the international dialing prefix is 00. From a U.S. landline, dial 011870XXXXXXXXX, where 870XXXXXXXXX is your 12-digit Inmarsat mobile number. This call will not be billed to your Outfitter Satellite BGAN account. Instead it will be billed by the international long-distance carrier of the landline phone at whatever rate you have negotiated with them for calls to the 870 Inmarsat country code. Rates for these calls are often very high so we recommend that the user of the BGAN call the person back from the BGAN if the call is going to be of long duration. Outbound calls from the BGAN are billed at the rates indicated on your BGAN service contract.

If you have a prepaid plan, you can make a FREE phone call to get your current prepaid balance. Just dial 00870772000591.

The prepaid balance will be read to you in IPU or Inmarsat Prepaid Units. Refer to your Inmarsat BGAN service agreement for the prepaid consumption rates for different kinds of services such as voice calling or standard IP data. We recommend that you do a prepaid balance check before and after each internet session in order to monitor usage.

For some service plans, we offer Terralink Data Manager access. This is a password protected web portal with a configurable firewall, near real time traffic logs for voice calls and data usage that updated about every 15-20 minutes, web compression controls and filtering controls. The traffic logs allow you to enter a date range and get a cumulative usage report for that date range. The traffic logs are NOT rated traffic so there may be small differences between these logs and your actual billed usage.

• A common problem is that the Inmarsat BGAN terminal needs a new GPS fix each day. Make sure you have a good GPS fix.
• Make sure that you are using a valid APN setting. We can provide you with the correct setting.
• Make sure that the antenna is pointed correctly and that the minimum required signal strength is achieved:
  • Hughes HNS-9201: 50 dBHz is the minimum requirement. We find that 55 dBHz of signal is usually easily achieved prior to registering.
  • AddValue WIDEYE SABRE I: 45 dBHz is the minimum requirement. We find that 50 dBHz can usually be achieved easily prior to registering.
  • Cobham EXPLORER 500: 45 dBHz is the minimum requirement.
  • Cobham EXPLORER 100: 41 dBHz is the minimum requirement. We find you can usually get 49 dBHz easily prior to registering.
• If you are operating in extremely cold temperatures, make sure that you are using the BGAN terminal within its operating temperature.
• As a last resort, do a FACTORY RESET on the terminal. This procedure is found in the User Manual. You can also call us for technical support.

Streaming IP data is available at various data rates, including: 32, 64, 128, 176, 256, 384, and HDR (high data rate). Streaming IP is billed on a per minute of connection time. There is a Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee over the space leg. It is wise to make arrangements such as a dedicated line from the Inmarsat PoP to the end user's final destination. If this is not done, the data stream will be carried over the public internet after it leaves the Inmarsat PoP.

The higher streaming IP data speeds are useful for applications such as VPN, video conferencing, and video broadcasting. The 32 kbps mode can be effective for certain voice over IP (VoIP) applications.

HDR is available as a full channel or half-channel in symmetric or asymmetric. Full channel symmetric HDR speeds are guaranteed to be at least 580 kbps but can reach up to 800 kbps. Typical data speeds are around 650 kbps.

Full channel asymmetric mode is lower cost than full channel symmetric because it gives only 64 kbps in the network-to-mobile direction while the balance is in the mobile-to-network direction. It is useful for media-grade video streaming applications.

Your APN or Access Point Name controls the Point of Presence (PoP) at which the data stream leaves the Inmarsat network and enters the public internet. On many of our service plans, if you use VIZADA.BGAN.INMARSAT.COM as the APN your internet connection is routed through a POP in Europe. If you visit popular sites such as Google.com, you will notice that you are seeing the euro-version of these sites. If you change your APN to VIZADA-USA.BGAN.INMARSAT.COM then your internet connection will be routed through a POP in New York City. Please call for technical support to determine which APN should be used for your BGAN.

Certain countries including Russia, China, Australia and the United States sometimes may require that Inmarsat route data traffic originating from BGAN terminals within their territories through gateways within their country. This allows the host country to control or monitor the data that is transmitted. The customer is expected to comply with all local laws.

Skype software is a free alternative but the user should be aware that Skype was designed to use as much bandwidth as is available to provide the best possible quality making it cost much more to use that DigiGone.

If you have a prepaid SIM card, you can make a FREE voice call from your BGAN to check your prepaid balance. To do this dial 00870772000591. You will be given the prepaid balance in IPU (Inmarsat Prepaid Units). If you have a standard prepaid SIM card, then 1 MegaByte equals 9.1 IPU. 1 Minute of Voice-to-Fixed calling equals 1 IPU. Regional prepaid SIM cards have different unit-per-megabyte and unit-per-minute parameters.

Upon customer request, we can setup a monitor to send an alert email at two different balances, for example 50% of your original prepaid balance left and 10% left remaining. This system is not perfect. The monitoring system only checks the balance every 20 or 30 minutes so it is possible to use more megabytes than you expect before you receive the alert message. Additionally, the monitoring system can be further delayed by other issues such as system maintenance.

Outfitter Satellite is a Marlink Elite Partner. This allows Outfitter Satellite to offer a wide portfolio of value-added services that can enhance the benefits of Inmarsat BGAN connectivity services by increasing your business efficiency and managing your communications costs. Monitoring and Usage Capping: The monitoring system is especially powerful for BGAN customers on postpaid plans. Typically, our clients request that an email notification be sent to them each time a certain number of "units" of usage occur. It is also possible to suspend further usage after a specified usage threshold is reached during the current "running month". The client can call in to reset a new running month and continue using the BGAN service. Please call to discuss limitations of the monitoring system. Terralink^TM Interconnect Broadband Services: Terralink^TM Interconnect is for Inmarsat BGAN and FleetBroadband users needing end-to-end bandwidth guarantees, secure VPN, live streaming video, VoIP, or videoconferencing. Dedicated support to customers is available all along the implementation phase to provide a tailor-made Terralink^TM Interconnect solution.

From your Inmarsat BGAN, dial 00-872-772-001-899 and enter your voicemail PIN code when prompted. When you first access your voicemail, the default PIN is the last 4 digits of your mobile number. Note: not all BGAN service plans have voicemail enabled. If you want voicemail and do not have it, please call us for support.

The Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n access point of the Wideye iSavi has a range of 30 meters (100 feet) if there is a direct line of sight. Walls and obstructions will reduce the range.

Connect to the iSavi using Wi-Fi. The SSID and password for your iSavi is on the product label underneath the serial number. Once you have connected, use any browser to go to 192.168.1.35 or alternatively iSavi. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "1234". If you cannot make the Wi-Fi connection, remember the Wi-Fi password is case sensitive.

• The iSavi needs a minimum signal of 42 dBH to operate correctly. Better signal improves the performance. If you cannot get the minimal signal, make sure you have a clear line of sight with the satellite. If you are pointing the iSavi antenna through a window, this will degrade the signal. If there is a solar treatment or metal screen over the window, if could entirely block the signal. We recommend taking the iSavi outside to a location with a clear view of the sky.
• Make sure the iSavi has a new GPS fix.
• If you have a usage monitor or a prepaid service, make sure you have a non-zero balance remaining.
• The APN setting normally should be the SIM default. If you are using a different APN value please verify that it is correct.
• The iSavi has a built-in firewall which can block certain traffic types or IP addresses. Verify that is not the problem.
• Redo the network registration procedure. To do this, press and hold the Exit Pointing Mode Button for 3 seconds.

To turn the iSavi on, press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds. If it does not turn on, charge the battery for at least 20 minutes and try again.

The iSavi has an Ingress Protection rating of IP65 if all its weather flaps are closed. The IP65 rating means the iSavi is dust tight and water jets projected from a 6.3 mm nozzle against the product's enclosure from any direction will have no harmful affects. The test is done for 3 minutes involving 12.5 litres per minute at 30 kN/m^2 from a distance of 3 meters. None the less, if you do intend to use the iSavi in the rain, it is a good idea to put it in a large zip lock bag to protect it from the rain.

Press and hold the Exit Pointing Button for 5 seconds. To change back to LED pointing, restart the terminal.

INTERNET: The iSavi has a best-case data speed of 384 kbps down and 240 kbps up. Since the iSavi offers only shared-bandwidth service, a speed of 150 kbps is more typical. As many as three or four iOS, Android, Windows, or Macintosh devices can use the iSavi simultaneously and achieve a usable internet connection.

VOICE: Only one voice call can be made at a time, regardless of how many devices are connected to the iSavi. If an inbound call comes in, all connected devices will ring and the first to answer takes the call.

TEXTING or SMS: You can send SMS messages from the web interface if you are logged on as an administrator. Messaging apps on smart devices can send texts but this would be billed as internet access to the iSavi account, not SMS messaging.

Originally, the Wideye iSavi by AddValue was limited to Inmarsat IsatHub plans which are no longer offered by Inmarsat. A firmware upgrade allows all Inmarsat BGAN plans to be activated on the iSavi terminal.

Inbound email-to-text or web message-to-text messages are FREE. Outbound SMS messages are charged according to the rates shown in your Service Agreement. An outbound SMS message may be undelivered because of problems on the receiving side of the communication such as mail filters or mail-box-full errors or incorrectly typed addresses. For this reason, outbound messages are billed per recipient whether or not they are deliverable. It is also important to understand that each individual outbound message has a maximum size of 160 Latin characters (or about 74 non-Latin characters). Up to 10 outbound messages can be concatenated to form a 1600-character "long" message which would be billed separately as a series of 160-character maximum regular SMS messages.

A watertight Pelican case is a good choice for wet environments. Docking stations are available for vehicular and in-building applications. Some docking stations support an RJ-11 telephone connection. The docking stations can be used with a variety of antennas, including a fixed passive antenna, a low-profile vehicular antenna, and a marine pole-mount mast antenna. Antenna cables from 6 to 50 meters are available. The Optimizer is a good accessory if you sending or receiving email or sharing photos.

Yes, you can send a text message to other mobile phones.

To do this, use the "Left Selection" key to enter the "Menu". Select the "Envelope" icon. Then, select the "New Message" option. Select the "Text" option. Enter the mobile number to which you wish to send the SMS message. For example, to send an SMS to a U.S. cellular phone with mobile number (615)123-4567, you would enter the following number: 00 + Country code + Area code and Mobile Number : 0016151234567. After you have entered your message, use the Left Selection Key. Highlight and select Send. The phone should indicate that the message is sent. Message delivery normally takes several minutes. (Hint: if you need special characters like @ or & press the * key on the LCD screen which will review the extended character menu).

Inmarsat GSPS phones, such as the IsatPhone 2, offer very slow internet access (typically 1800 to a maximum of 2400 bps) which is suitable for light email applications if you use specialized software. For comparison, Iridium handheld satellite phones typically achieve 2400 to 2800 bps. If you would be satisfied with short text based emails of 160 characters or less, the IsatPhone 2 can send an email message to any address. It has built in email-to-text capability that allows it to receive emails at 870xxxxxxxxx@message.inmarsat.com (where 870xxxxxxxxx represents the IsatPhone 2 mobile number). If you need to send an email with attachments, Outfitter Satellite offers the Optimizer Hotspot and specialized software to support email over the IsatPhone 2 or other slow internet connections.

If the IsatPhone 2 has a prepaid SIM card, you can get the prepaid balance by entering your balance enquiry code, *106# and pressing the green key. Your current balance and expiry date will be shown on the screen.

In the event of a critical situation, the IsatPhone 2 has a "Assistance Button". This button can be configured either to call a specific phone number or to send one or more emails or texts to a pre-configured list of recipients with Last GPS fix and time and the time that the alert was triggered on the phone. Please refer to the manual for instructions.

If this is happening, there are a number of possible reasons. The IsatPhone 2 has extreme weather resistance features including an O-ring around the battery contacts. Sometimes the O-ring makes it hard to get the battery to seat against the electrical contacts. So, try removing the battery. Make sure it is clean. Then put it back into the phone and make sure to push down firmly. It is also possible you need to update your firmware. If that does not work, you probably need to return your IsatPhone 2 to Outfitter Satellite. Before sending your equipment back to us, please call our Customer Service team for additional assistance.

The easiest method of sending an SMS to the IsatPhone is by using the Inmarsat email-to-text service Simply send an email to 870xxxxxxxxx@message.inmarsat.com (where 870xxxxxxxxx is your IsatPhone PRO mobile number).

From the IsatPhone, you will dial 00 and the country code and number. For example, the phone number of Outfitter Satellite in the US is 615-889-8833. The country code of the US and Canada is 1. So to call Outfitter Satellite from the IsatPhone, you would dial 0016158898833. To make a free test call from your IsatPhone, dial +870 776 999 999. After the call goes through, you will hear a recorded message confirming the call has been made successfully. You can then hang up.

You will be making an international call to the 870 country code. From a US landline, you would dial 011870xxxxxxxxx, where 870xxxxxxxxx is the mobile number of the Isatphone. The call will be billed to the party making the call by their own long distance carrier. Be warned that very high per minute costs, often exceeding $10 per minute are common. An alternative way to communicate to the IsatPhone would be to send an SMS message to the IsatPhone. There is no charge to receive SMS messages on the IsatPhone.

Due to the continuously changing regulations that exist in various countries, Outfitter Satellite cannot give legal advice about whether a particular satellite or cellular phone is legal and approved for the region or country. Some countries, like Russia, may want you to register your satellite phone if you are making a short visit using the satellite phone.

Thuraya is a regional mobile satellite system that serves over 140 countries. Thuraya's footprint includes large parts of the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Central Asia, Northern and Central Africa, and Europe. Some Thuraya phone models also support GSM-cellular-mode calls. Thuraya's satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, positioned 36,000 km above the earth. The primary Thuraya gateway is located in Sharjah, UAE, and acts as the operation center for the mobile satellite system. Depending on the model and service types selected various Thuraya phone models provide voice, G3 fax, 9.6 kbps circuit-switched data, always-on-type GmPRS internet access up to 60 kbps on download, and two-way short messaging.

Check your prepaid account balance by dialing short code 151. It is a free call. To reload, you will first need to purchase prepaid vouchers in 50 or 160-unit increments. You can also purchase vouchers by calling our Customer Service department at 615-889-8833 (U.S. Office) during regular business hours. Each "unit" you load onto your prepaid account equals "one dollar" of Thuraya service available on your prepaid account. Unless you specify otherwise, we will deliver your 14-digit Scratch Card PIN code via email. To apply a Scratch Card PIN to your prepaid account, dial short code 150. There is also no charge for this call. An automated voice system will guide you through the process. You will receive a recharge confirmation, followed by your credit status. Alternatively, you can apply a Scratch Card PIN using SMS messaging. To do this, send an SMS to 150. The SMS message content should be the # 14-digit PIN code #. The # symbol needs to be at the beginning and the end of the message, and there should be no spaces. You will receive a recharge confirmation.

Follow these steps to initialize your Thuraya SIM card for first time use. The menu options on different model Thuraya phones may vary, but this procedure will work for all.

• Method 1: Reset the Thuraya phone to factory settings 2. Go to "System Preference" and select "Sat Only". Go to navigation and select the current position and obtain GPS coordinates (be in a clear area and wait up to 10 minutes) 4. Once you can see the GPS coordinates, go back to the main screen and you should see "Thuraya + Country name". This means you have a link to the Thuraya satellite. Call 150 and follow the instructions to initialize the SIM card on the Thuraya network.
• Method 2: If you don't see your country name in Method 1 above, then go to Menu -> Network -> Search mode -> Manual -> OK and wait until "Thuraya" appears on the screen. Once "Thuraya" appears on the screen, select it and the phone will start requesting for the network. Eventually, after the "Requesting" process, "Thuraya + the country name you are in" appears on the screen. This can take up to 30 minutes. Once this is complete try calling 150 to check that you can make calls.

If you purchased your Thuraya phone from Outfitter Satellite, the phone should be ready for operation in most cases. To use it in Thuraya-satellite-mode, you must be within the Thuraya coverage footprint. Some Thuraya customers first attempt to use their Thuraya phone after they have left for a remote location. A typical problem is that the customer does not know how to recharge the phone's battery or prepaid account. Please make sure you are fully aware of how to use the phone and recharge it before leaving for any remote location.

The following Thuraya satellite phones support dual-mode Thuraya satellite mode and also GSM cellular mode: HNS-7100, HNS-7101, and SG-2520 and XT-DUAL. The customer is advised that the Thuraya satellite-mode rates shown in their service agreements do not apply to calls made in GSM cellular mode. The rates and billing increments for GSM-mode calls can vary dramatically when the user roams onto different GSM regional operators. It is not unusual for GSM cellular operators in third world countries to actually charge more for a cellular-mode call than the cost of Thuraya-satellite-mode calls. In GSM mode, rates for making or receiving voice or data calls or sending or receiving SMS messages are subject to change without notice. Finally, not all GSM operators support all features of any given Thuraya model phone, so some functionalities may not work in GSM cellular mode.

The Voice Mail Service (VMS) from Thuraya works like an answering machine and stores messages when you have your phone switched off or the line is busy. The symbol shown to the right indicates that a message is stored in your voice mailbox. (Note: some service providers do not support the symbol indicator). You can listen to it by dialing the short code 1,2,3. Alternately, select Menu then Messages and then Listen Voicemail or press the symbol below for two seconds.

When making and receiving calls with the Thuraya satellite phone, sometimes no connection can be established and therefore no calls can be made. This problem is caused by poor signal from the Thuraya satellite or the fact that you are in a bad position such as between or inside buildings, in heavily wooded areas. Doing one of the following two actions often can solve these problems:

• Sat registration - The Thuraya Satellite telephone has an automatic mode for registering with the satellite when switching the telephone on. When no registration is made (the little satellite in the top right corner of the display keeps blinking or the displayed service area is wrong), you can try this again manually by going into the option Network and then SAT Registration.
• Acquiring your GPS - When the manual SAT Registration does not resolve the problem, you should try to acquire the position again (see above).

Thuraya supports 160 character SMS messaging. If you have web access and know the Thuraya phone's mobile number, you can use Thuraya's SMS Messaging Center to send an SMS. Some Thuraya phones have GSM capability, e.g. the HNS-7101 or SG-2520. If you are in GSM-mode, sending or receiving SMS messages can be at different rates than when in Thuraya satellite mode, depending on the policies of the GSM regional operator being used.

Thuraya handheld satellite phones can send and receive Tweets via SMS. This allows Thuraya customers to stay in touch with social media in real time from almost anywhere within Thuraya's 140 country coverage area. To use this feature, the customer must link their Thuraya phone to their Twitter account. Customers then send an SMS to the dedicated Twitter code 1888 with the word START and follow the instructions. Thuraya voice customers receive Tweets free-of-charge in the form of an incoming SMS, but outbound Tweets are charged as a normal SMS text message.

The Thuraya XT-PRO is the current state-of-the-art Thuraya handheld phone. It is feature rich and offers voice, SMS, 9.6 kbps data, and GmPRS packet data. A variety of docking stations are available for it.

The Thuraya XT-LITE has less features than the XT-PRO. In particular it does not offer any data services, and there are no docking stations available for it.

The Thuraya XT is a legacy product. Some may still be available on the market. It is rugged and has a high resistance to shock and vibration. It is highly resistant to dust and water intrusion. The small size and excellent size to weight ratio make the Thuraya XT easy to handle. It has a user friendly menu with many features including a personal organizer with a calendar and alarm function, as well as a GPS navigation function. The XT is one of the smallest and lightest phones on the market. It is 5.1 in. X 2.1 in. X 1 in. (128mm X 53 mm X 26.5 mm) (H x W x D) and weighs 6.8 oz. (193 gm). You will also notice that the Thuraya XT is particularly easy to read outdoors even in bright sunlight. It has a large 2 in. (5 cm) display that is glare resistant and has a brightness sensor that control the back-lighting based on the ambient light level. The Thuraya XT DUAL is a legacy product that is similar to the XT except that it also has a GSM cellular mode.

The Thuraya XT heavy duty battery allows up to 6 hours talk time and up to 80 hours standby time.

The Thuraya XT phone includes a GPS function with way-point navigation allowing you to create and manage way-points along your route. You can also use location tracking by automatically saving your location at fixed intervals which allows you to create a track of your route.

The Thuraya XT has the following interfaces: USB to Thuraya proprietary, Ear-piece (std 2.5 mm audio jack), DC power, external antenna.

On most postpaid plans, "always-on" GmPRS internet access with a best-effort data speed of 60 kbps down and 15 kbps up is available. The Thuraya XT-PRO and legacy Thuraya XT satellite phones support internet access. The Thuraya XT-LITE does not.

The Thuraya XT is compatible with Windows Vista and Windows XP. Please call to confirm other operating systems.

No, it is a satellite messenger so you can send and receive SMS or text messages right from your smart phone while it is paired via Bluetooth to your ACR Bivy Stick. Our prepaid service plans includes a US mobile number so your friends can easily text your ACR Bivy Stick from their cell phones.

Yes, our prepaid service plans for the ACR Bivy Stick now includes GroupTrack^TM service. This allows up to 12 ACR Bivy Stick users to see each others' locations and send group-wide text messages -- right from the Bivy Stick app on their smartphone (while paired with the Bivy Stick).

You can download local weather forecasts (for 3 or 7 day periods). To do so,From inside the Bivy Stick App, navigate to the Weather screen (cloud symbol). When you are off-grid, touch the Refresh button in the top right corner of the Weather screen to get the latest weather report. Each forecast will take a few minutes to update depending on the strength of the satellite signal. You will receive a push notification once your forecast is ready to view. The forecast is based on your current location.

The ACR Bivy Stick can operate up to 120 hours on a single charge, depending on how much you use it. Extreme cold temperatures can also reduce operation time. The Bivy Stick charges using a USB-C cable and can be charged via any USB charge port. Use the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable or any other USB-C cable. Charge time is 2-4 hours depending on power source. Charge time is approximately one half if you use a USB-C charger and a USB-C to USB-C cable.

You can start tracking your location by pressing the Check In button for 5 seconds. While tracking, your location will be sent to your Bivy profile on the cloud every 10 minutes. The Status light will flash blue while you are tracking. Stop tracking by pressing the Check In button for 5 seconds. You can later view this track by going to your profile in the Bivy app and then select Tracks.

Only use the SOS feature in a real emergency. Registering with Global Rescue is the responsibility of the user, not Outfitter Satellite, and needs to be completed before you go to any remote location.

Depending on your location and needs, you may be responsible for any cost associated with a rescue operation.In case of emergency you can hit the SOS button on the app and establish 2-Way communication with Global Rescue. You can also activate an SOS from the button on the Bivy Stick but using the app allows for communication directly with Global Rescue. They will dispatch and manage all the emergency needs and resources necessary. This service is available world wide. Please be sure to treat the SOS service with complete seriousness. Only use in the case of a real emergency. Depending on your location and needs, you may be responsible for any cost associated with a rescue operation.

• Touch the SOS button on the Bivy Stick screen. You will be asked to confirm your request and to type in the letters SOS to verify it's not an accidental SOS call. Once you have confirmed, it will send an emergency text with your GPS coordinates and location to Global Rescue.
• Be sure to keep your Bivy Stick visible to the sky to ensure satellite connectivity. You will receive a confirmation text letting you know the message has been received. Your Bivy Stick will automatically send your location to Global Rescue once per minute for 10 minutes, and then every 10 minutes thereafter.
• At this point you can communicate any details with them via text message. Global Rescue will keep you apprised of the rescue plan and status.
• If you need to cancel the SOS call, you can do so by touching the cancel SOS button on the app. This will send a message to Global Rescue and they will confirm it has been received and cancelled.