Iridium Satellite Phones

The ultimate in dependable global mobile communications
People everywhere are moving beyond the reach of traditional networks and expecting their connected experience to travel with them, wherever they go.

Leveraging the world’s furthest reaching network, Iridium and Canada Satellite deliver ongoing innovation in global mobile communications, to help make more of the connections that matter — anywhere on the planet and in ways never thought possible.

Everywhere under one sky
In a world where global communications are increasingly critical, only one company connects everyone to the things that matter most, from pole to pole.

Powered by a uniquely sophisticated global constellation of 66 cross-linked Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, the Iridium® network provides high-quality voice and data connections over the planet’s entire surface, including across oceans, airways and polar regions.

Handsets
The former Iridium provided phones from two vendors, Kyocera and Motorola. The Motorola 9500 phone is a design from the first commercial phase of Iridium, whereas the 9575 model is the current version of the handset and was released in 2011.[27] Until the release of the 9555 in 2008, the 9505A was the sole handset sold by the company - a functionally identical clone of the Motorola 9505 with some slightly different components.[28] In 2011, a highly durable Iridium Extreme (9575) phone was introduced with a built-in GPS emergency button and interface to advanced location-based services. An accessory was also introduced at the same time called Iridium Axcesspoint which, when connected to a 9555 or Extreme phone, creates a wi-fi hotspot for smartphone email, SMS and web connections.[29]

Kyocera phone models SS-66K and SD-66K are no longer in production but still available in the second-hand and surplus market. The KI-G100 phone is a small 900 MHz GSM phone that fitted in a cradle (model number SD-66K) that included a large antenna and facilitated connection to the Iridium network.[30] The SS-66K is a self-contained phone, but features a rather unusual ball antenna.

All handsets can receive SMS, but only the 9505, 9505A, 9555, Extreme and those based on the 9522 can send them.

Iridium Extreme (9575) — A jet-water, shock and dust resistant (IP65), as well as GPS enabled handset, operating temperature -15 - +35 °C, launched in September 2011.
Iridium 9555 — A satellite handset with integrated speakerphone and hands-free capability, launched in late 2008. USB data interface with a USB-to-RS-232 bridge chip.
Iridium 9505A — Large brick shaped satellite handset manufactured from 2002 to 2008 by the second corporate incarnation of Iridium. Externally almost identical to the original Motorola 9505. Native RS-232 data interface with proprietary pinout adapter.
Motorola 9505 — Large brick shaped handset manufactured from 1999 to 2002 by the first corporate incarnation of Iridium. Native RS-232 data interface with proprietary pinout adapter.
Kyocera SS-66K — Manufactured in very small numbers by Kyocera in 1998-1999 for the first Iridium corporation, very large handset. Can occasionally be found for sale on eBay.

Several other Iridium-based telephones exist, such as payphones, and equipment intended for installation on ships and aircraft. The DPL handset made by NAL Research combined with a 9522 transceiver is used for some of these products. This handset provides a user interface nearly identical to that of the 9505 series phones.