Editing Iridium Communications (section)

== Subscriber equipment ==

=== Handsets ===
Iridium offers four satellite handsets: the 9555, 9575A (which is only available to US government customers), the Extreme, and the Extreme PTT.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iridium.com/phones/|title=Phones|website=Iridium Satellite Communications|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref>

=== Wi-Fi Hotspots ===
In 2014, Iridium began to offer the Iridium Go! [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspot]], which can also be used as a distress beacon under certain circumstances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/3048163/iridium-go-satellite-hotspot-review-more-like-iridium-no.html|title=Iridium Go satellite hotspot review: More like 'Iridium No'}}</ref> As of September 2020, Iridium's manufacturing contractor, Beam Communications, had built 50,000 of these devices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themarketherald.com.au/beam-communications-asxbcc-iridium-go-hits-50000-units-2020-09-30/|title = Beam Communications' (ASX:BCC) Iridium GO! Hits 50,000 units – the Market Herald|date = 30 September 2020}}</ref>

=== One-way pagers ===
Two [[Pager|pagers]] were made for the Iridium network&nbsp;– the [[Motorola]] 9501 and [[Kyocera]] SP-66K.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satphone.net/kyopage.htm |title=Iridium Satellite Telephones – MJ Sales, Inc |website=Satphone.net |access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref> These are one-way devices that could receive messages sent in the form of [[SMS]].

Messages are delivered to pre-selected "MDAs" which cover a certain geographic area. Three of these MDAs may be selected on a web-based portal or updated automatically if the paging service is bound to an Iridium phone. Each country has its own MDA based on its [[country code]]; some of the larger countries are divided into several MDAs, while separate MDAs exist for sections of ocean and common aeronautic routes.

Pagers are assigned with telephone numbers in [[area code 480]] and can also be contacted using email, SMS and the web-based interface used to send messages to Iridium phones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voicemall.com/iridium_9501.htm |title=Iridium Satellite Phones by Outfitter Satellite Phones |website=Voicemall.com |access-date=2016-02-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307203448/http://www.voicemall.com/iridium_9501.htm |archive-date=2012-03-07 }}</ref>

=== Two-way satellite messengers ===
In 2017, [[Garmin]] announced inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+ satellite communicators, which use Iridium satellite network for global coverage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-04 |title=Announcement: Garmin announces first devices with Satellite Communication Technology: Introducing the inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+ |url=https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/featured-2/garmin-announces-first-devices-satellite-communication-technology-introducing-inreach-se-inreach-explorer/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Garmin Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> Garmin inReach mini, a satellite messenger, was announced a year later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-03 |title=Introducing inReach® Mini from Garmin® |url=https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/general/introducing-inreach-mini-from-garmin/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Garmin Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> These devices can send and receive text messages with any cell phone number, email address or another inReach device, as well as to provide location sharing, navigation and direct communication options to emergency services.

ZOLEO satellite communicator uses global Iridium network when cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. It does so by means of Bluetooth connection to provide two-way messaging to connected smartphone or tablet devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZOLEO Satellite Communicator |url=https://www.rei.com/product/194833/zoleo-satellite-communicator |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=REI Co-op |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Other satellite phones ===
Several other Iridium-based telephones exist, such as [[payphone]]s,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/wcc-launches-first-iridium-based-global-satellite-pay-phone-accept-consumer-credit-cards-678732.htm |title=WCC Launches First Iridium-Based Global Satellite Pay Phone to Accept Consumer Credit Cards |website=Marketwired.com |date=2006-02-20 |access-date=2016-02-24 |archive-date=2018-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106171738/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/wcc-launches-first-iridium-based-global-satellite-pay-phone-accept-consumer-credit-cards-678732.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=ftp://ftp.nalresearch.com/Satellite%20Products/Accessories/DPL%20Handset/DPL%20Handset%20User's%20Guide%20(TN2007-201-V1.0).pdf|title=DPL handset user guide|website=Ftp.nalresearch.com|access-date=2016-02-24}}{{dead link|date=February 2016}}</ref>

=== Standalone transceiver units ===
These can be used for data-logging applications in remote areas (as in [[data collection satellite]]s). Some types of [[buoy]]s, such as those used for the [[tsunami warning system]], use Iridium satellites to communicate with their base. The remote device is programmed to call or send short [[Burst transmission|burst]] data (SBD) messages to the base at specified intervals, or it can be set to accept calls in order for it to offload its collected data.

The following transceivers have been released over the years:

*Iridium Core 9523 – Similar to the 9522B, a modular transceiver released in 2012
*Iridium 9522B&nbsp;– A transceiver released in late 2008, is smaller than the 9522A and has similar features. It also supports Circuit-Switched Data (CSD), not just SBD.
*Iridium 9522A&nbsp;– Based on the 9522, some variants have built in GPS and autonomous reporting functions. Supports SBD.
*Motorola 9522&nbsp;– Last Motorola transceiver, supports outgoing SMS but no SBD.
*Motorola 9520&nbsp;– Original transceiver module, does not support outgoing SMS or SBD. Designed for use in vehicles with accompanying handset<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outfittersatellite.com/iridium_9520.htm |title=Iridium Satellite Phones For Sale |website=Outfittersatellite.com |access-date=2016-02-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416045951/http://www.outfittersatellite.com/iridium_9520.htm |archive-date=2012-04-16 }}</ref>

==== Short burst data modems ====
These devices support only SBD for [[Internet of things]] (IoT) services and do not use a SIM card.

*Iridium 9601&nbsp;– Supports only SBD, several [[tracking device]]s and other products have been built around this modem. It was an Iridium manufactured product designed as an OEM module for integration into applications that only use the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. Short Burst Data applications are supported through an RS-232 interface. Examples of these applications include maritime vessel tracking or automatic vehicle tracking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iridium.com/products/iridium9601.aspx |access-date=November 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011010/http://www.iridium.com/products/iridium9601.aspx |title= Iridium 9601-Overview|archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref>
*Iridium 9602&nbsp;– Smaller, cheaper version of 9601 (released in 2010).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iridium.com/products/Iridium9602.aspx |title=Products &#124; Iridium 9602 Transceiver |publisher=Iridium |access-date=2016-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810014047/http://www.iridium.com/products/Iridium9602.aspx |archive-date=2014-08-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Iridium 9603&nbsp;– One-fourth the volume and half the footprint of 9602<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iridium.com/products/Iridium-9603.aspx |access-date=December 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213001037/http://iridium.com/products/Iridium-9603.aspx |title= Iridium 9603-Overview| archive-date=February 13, 2013 }}</ref>

=== Iridium OpenPort ===
Iridium OpenPort is a broadband satellite voice and data communications system for maritime vessels. The system is used for crew calling and e-mail services on sea vessels such as merchant fleets, government and navy vessels, fishing fleets and personal yachts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program in Operation Effective April 1 |url=http://www.maritime-executive.com/pressrelease/iridium-openport-global-service-program-in-operation-effective-april-1 |publisher=The Maritime Executive |access-date=15 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320174824/http://www.maritime-executive.com/pressrelease/iridium-openport-global-service-program-in-operation-effective-april-1 |archive-date=20 March 2012 }}</ref>

Iridium operates at only 2.2 to 3.8&nbsp;[[Kilobit per second|kbit/s]], which requires very aggressive voice [[Data compression|compression]]<ref>US Patent application 20030195006</ref> and decompression [[algorithm]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mailasail.com/Support/Iridium-Bandwidth |title=Iridium Bandwidth and Internet Download Speeds – Support |publisher=MailASail |access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref> (By comparison, [[Adaptive Multi-Rate audio codec|AMR]] used in 3G phones requires a minimum of 4.75&nbsp;kbit/s, [[G.729]] requires 6.4&nbsp;kbit/s, and [[Internet Low Bitrate Codec|iLBC]] requires 13.33&nbsp;kbit/s.) Latency for data connections averages 1800&nbsp;[[Millisecond|ms]] round-trip, with a mode of 1300 to 1400&nbsp;ms and a minimum around 980&nbsp;ms.<ref name="latencyreport">{{cite web|url=http://www.dodccrp.org/events/10th_ICCRTS/CD/papers/233.pdf |title=MEASURING LATENCY IN IRIDIUM SATELLITE CONSTELLATION DATA SERVICES |author1=Margaret M. McMahon |author2=Ph. D |website=Dodccrp.org |access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref> Latency is highly variable depending on the path data takes through the satellite constellation as well the need for retransmissions due to errors, which may be around 2 to 3% for mobile originated packets under good conditions.

=== Iridium Certus ===
One of the Iridium NEXT services is Iridium Certus, a globally available satellite broadband which is capable of up to 704 Kbps of bandwidth across maritime, aviation, land mobile, government, and [[Internet of things|IoT]] applications. Terminals for the service are provided by [[Cobham (company)|Cobham]], Intellian Technologies and [[Thales Group|Thales]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-08 |title=What is Iridium Certus? |url=https://www.skytrac.ca/resources/magazine/what-is-iridium-certus/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=SKYTRAC Systems Ltd. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Intellian C700 Certus Maritime Terminal |url=https://www.intelliantech.com/en/products/iridium-certus-maritime-terminal/c700/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Intellian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Thales and Cobham unveil Iridium Certus terminals |url=https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/thales-and-cobham-unveil-iridium-certus-terminals-28204 |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Riviera |language=En}}</ref>

=== Iridium STL ===
Iridium is providing Satellite Time & Location (STL) service.<ref name="STL">{{cite web |title=Iridium Satellite Time & Location |url=https://www.iridium.com/satellite-time-location/ |website=Iridium Satellite Communications |access-date=29 April 2024 }}</ref> It was developed by [[Satelles]] company, which was later acquired by Iridium Communications in April 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iridium Completes Satelles Acquisition; Introduces Iridium Satellite Time and Location (STL) |url=https://investor.iridium.com/2024-04-02-Iridium-Completes-Satelles-Acquisition-Introduces-Iridium-Satellite-Time-and-Location-STL |website=Iridium Satellite Communications |date=2 April 2024 |access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref>

According to the company, it is the only [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] satellite based commercial [[positioning, navigation, and timing]] (PNT) service (as of April 2024).<ref name="STL" />