Iridium World Data Services

[Swingshiftworker]

I've got an Iridium 9505A sat phone (the older one) and I'm thinking about buying a Data Kit for it which will convert the sat phone into a modem and allow direct Net access via Iridium's World Data Services network. Access is only at 10kb/s but, when you're out in the middle of no where, I suppose something is better than nothing.

Just wondering if anyone here has actually used the Iridium World Data Services network. If so, please let me know what your experience has been with the service, software, etc. Thanks!

 

[Bandicoot]

I've used the Iridium data services for about 3 years now with a 9505. It works well but as you've noted is painfully slow. It's good for checking emails which I do with web-based Outlook as firing up Outlook would take forever. You need to set it up so that it only downloads headers to avoid downloading large attachments or downloading full emails that are just junk mail. Surfing the web will get your blood pressure up. The other problem we've had with it is with internet banking. Because it's so slow, our bank (a big Aussie bank) seems to throw us off perhaps because it's worried that any connection that slow could be a hacker.
Apart from the internet banking, all else works well but is slow.
Of course, telephone banking still works fine even with Iridium.
Overall, it's been indispensible in allowing me to do work stuff while away from home.
Bandicoot

 

[UK4X4]

as per the previous- slow, the service was'nt designed for web browsing and downloading movies.

We use it for gauge data transfer, and to date have not found a location where it does not work !

 

[brittan]

I've been in their NOC (Netowrk Ops Center) and the best method for data communication is combining multiple phones for transmisison. They sell the unit but it normally goes atop ships.

They are putting up birds that will do 10 and 100mg connections. May be best to wait.

Then again...don't we hit the trail to get away from email? I do