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Satellite Phone Buyers Guide For The Best Iridium Phones

What is Iridium?

Iridium is the only satellite communications company that can boast a fully functional global connection. Connecting in remote areas where no cellular connectivity is available is possible with Iridium.

What is Iridium Satellite phone?

Iridium satellite phones are a type of mobile phone that operate under the Iridium Satellite Network. Unlike a cellular phone that requires a cell tower within a certain mileage range.

How much does Iridium Satellite service cost?

Iridium satellite service comes in an array of pricing options and plans. Once you’ve determined which Iridium satellite phone or product best fits your or your team’s needs.

Where can you find Iridium satellite phones?

To rent or purchase an Iridium satellite phone (or another device) for your next remote adventure or crucial business venture, visit Satmodo Complete Satellite Solutions.

Iridium Phone Comparison Chart

We've put together an Iridium satellite phone comparison chart below of the to make it easy for you to shop.

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Iridium phone comparision chart

Compare	Iridium 9575 Extreme	Iridium 9555	Iridium Extreme PTT	Iridium Go
MPN/UPC	CPKT1101	BPKT0801	FPKT19017	AHKT1301
Pricing (approx)	$1,345	$1,095	$1,525.00	$785.00
Network	Iridium	Iridium	Iridium	Iridium
Coverage	Global	Global	Regional	Global (Non-Polar)
Weight	8.7 oz (247g)	9.38 oz (266g)	7.05 oz (200g)	11.14 oz (316 g)
Size	5.5'' x 2.36''x 1.06'' (14.0 x 6.0 x 2.7 cm)	5.5'' x 2.36''x 1.06'' (14.0 x 6.0 x 2.7 cm)	5.5'' x 2.36''x 1.06'' (14.0 x 6.0 x 2.7 cm)	6.65” x 2.95” x 1.14” (16.9 x 7.5 x 2.9 cm)
Battery Life	Up to 30 hours	Up to 4 hours	Up to 30 hours	Up to 15.5 hours
Antenna	Retractable omni-directional	N/A	N/A	Integrated
Display	Monochrome	200 character illuminated graphic display	Color	Built-in menu/status display
Durability	MIL-STD 810F	NA	MIL-STD 810F	MIL-STD 810F
Ingress Protection	IP65	NA	IP65	IP65
Network	NA	NA	IP65	IP65
Text Messaging (SMS)	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
GPS	Yes	N/A	Yes	Yes
Emergency SOS	Yes	No	No	Yes

Compare

Iridium 9575 Extreme

Iridium 9555

Iridium Extreme PTT

Iridium Go

MPN/UPC

CPKT1101

BPKT0801

FPKT1901

AHKT1301

Pricing (approx)

$1,345

$1,095

$1,525.00

$785.00

Network

Iridium

Coverage

Global

Weight

8.7 oz (247g)

266g (9.4 oz)

7.05 oz (200g)

11.14 oz (316 g)

Size

140 mm (L) x 60 mm (W) x 27 mm (D)

143 mm (L) x 55 mm (W) x 30 mm (D)

140 mm (L) x 60 mm (W) x 27 mm (D)

11.4 x 8.2 x 3.2 cm

Battery Life

Up to 30 hours

Up to 4 hours

Up to 30 hours

Up to 15.5 hours

Antenna

Retractable omni-directiona

N/A

Integrated

Display

Monochrome

200 character illuminated graphic display

Color

Built-in menu/status display

Durability

MIL-STD 810F

N/A

MIL-STD 810F

Ingress Protection

IP65

N/A

IP65

Text Messaging (SMS)

Supported

GPS

Yes

N/A

Yes

Learn More

Satellite phones have become increasingly necessary among government officials, energy companies, first responders as well as among industries such as shipping, oil and gas, and fishing. In fact, staying competitive in business while keeping personnel safe among these organizations is close to impossible without them. These organizations have come to trust the quality and 100% global connection of Iridium satellite phones.
But satellite phones aren’t just for conducting business in remote areas, they can be a necessary lifeline for individuals, too. Whether you’re an avid backpacker frequently out of reach or just know how important it is to have back-up communication in the event of an emergency, a satellite phone can be what keeps you and your loved ones safe.
No matter where life takes you or situation you find yourself in, Iridium has the satellite phone to fit your needs. The goal? To keep you connected when it matters most. This Iridium Buyer’s Guide will help you understand what each phone offers and how they differ so you can make an informed decision about which one will work best for you.

Why choose Iridium as your satellite phone service provider?

Satellite phones have made it possible for users to roam the world without the fear of a lost connection. Of course, you want to ensure that the phone you’re using will provide you with reliable communication whenever you need it. Being labeled as a satellite phone isn’t enough if it doesn’t do what it says it’s going to do, so you want the best.
Iridium utilizes a constellation of 66 interconnected low earth orbit satellites that surround the earth, you can be confident that any phone functioning on the Iridium satellite network is the best you can get. Read “How to Never Lose Connectivity with Iridium Satellite” to find out how the Iridium network keeps users connected via land, sea, and air.
In terms of which satellite phone is best? Well, that depends on any special features you may require. Each Iridium satellite phone has its specialty, so you’ll want to take into consideration your needs when making this choice.
For comprehensive, unmatched global service, utilizing an Iridium satellite phone is one of the best choices you could make.

Iridium 9555

The Go-To “Best Value” Satellite Phone

Compact and light, this Iridium satellite phone has all the necessary base features of a high-quality device. As a way to stay connected in the most remote areas of the world, this phone gives users the necessary line of communication via text, voice, and email. Need a no-frills phone that works when you need it to? This is it.

Who is the Iridium 9555 satellite phone best for? It may be Iridium’s base model, but the 9555 will still offer many users everything they need in a satellite phone. Paying for features that you don’t need is just a waste of money, and the 9555 can satisfy the requirements of most individual users or small companies who aren’t operating in extreme environments or don’t need to radio in a team of people all at once. People heading out on worldwide travels or need a satellite phone as a back up option for the times they find themselves without a cellular connection will find the features of the 9555 to offer the seamless communication they require.

Notable Features of the Iridium 9555:

Small frame for ease of use and portability
Antenna stows internally
Dependable and ruggedly built
Text, email, voice and data capability
Integrated speakerphone
Hands-free earpiece with microphone
Mini-USB data port

Convenience, toughness and reliability is what users have come to expect from the Iridium 9555.

Iridium 9575 Extreme

Top of the Line Features with Military-Grade ToughnessThe feature-rich Iridium 9575 might look similar to the 9555, but it’s been taken to the next level. Iridium took all of the same great base features that anyone would need in a reliable satellite phone and put them into the 9575…then went above and beyond to consider what someone might require that the a base model couldn’t offer. Who is the Iridium 9575 satellite phone best for? Remote corners of the earth are often synonymous with harsh conditions. There’s a reason there are no cell towers in close proximity after all. There’s a reason the 9575 has the word “extreme” in its name. If military-grade toughness is what you require, the Iridium 9575 is your most reliable, heavy-duty option. Beyond that, there is risk involved with getting off the grid where emergency services aren’t close by, but the 9575 Extreme has top of the line features that ensure help is just a touch of a button away.Notable Features of the Iridium 9575 Extreme:

Essential features of the 9555
Customizable GPS
Integrated tracking allows businesses to work more efficiently and ensure safety of personnel
One touch SOS button for immediate emergency response
Ingress Protection of IP65 means it’s completely protected against dust as well as strong jets of water (if you’re constantly around water, this is the phone you need)
Speaker phone and wind resistant microphone
Taper grip means it stays firmly in your hand no matter what
Stands up to rain, humidity, sand, dust, vibration and shock impacts

If your travels frequently take you to the most extreme areas of earth, the Iridium 9575 will allow you to stay connected when nothing else will. Iridium Service Plans for the Iridium 9555 and 9575 Extreme come in a variety of monthly and prepaid options to cater to your specific needs. Find them here.

Iridium Satellite Phone Plans

Iridium Pre-Paid Plans

We offer flexible pricing for the Iridium pre-paid plans that fit your satellite phones. For custom plans please call (800) 279-2366. Satmodo is a satellite phone service provider for Iridium.

$ 154

Low Airtime Rates
No Commitment
Add mins any time

$ 539

Low Airtime Rates
No Commitment
Add mins any time

$ 824

Low Airtime Rates
No Commitment
Add mins any time

Iridium Monthly Plans

With all satellite phone monthly costIridium plans you are able to add on Rollover Minutes and U.S. Numbers. Monthly plans add an extra layer of security knowing that your sim card will never run out of minutes. All satellite phone monthly cost differs from service providers. For custom plans please call (800) 279-2366

$ 59

Monthly

U.S. numbers available
Rollover available
Never run out of mins
FREE voicemail

$ 74

Monthly

U.S. numbers available
Rollover available
Never run out of mins
FREE voicemail

$ 99

Monthly

U.S. numbers available
Rollover available
Never run out of mins
FREE voicemail

Iridium Extreme PTT

Ready to Tackle Group Communication WorldwideWalkie-Talkies may seem like a thing of the past, but their concept is essential to running many types of organizations. When decisions can’t wait, you need to be able to talk to anyone on your team without the wait time, and push-to-talk capability allows for that. The Iridium Extreme PTT keeps you connected at the push of a button.Who is the Iridium Extreme PTT satellite phone best for? If you have a remote team in the field who you need to communicate with instantly, the Iridium Extreme PTT is exactly what you need. Ringing someone only to find they’re unavailable could wreak havoc on your business if it thrives off of game-time decision making, and that’s true with satellite phones as well. But the Iridium Extreme PTT takes care of this problem with its push-to-talk capability while still maintaining all the rich features you’ll find with the Iridium Extreme 9575. Notable Features of the Iridium Extreme PTT:

Essential features of the 9555 and 9575
Reinforced PTT button for seamless team communication worldwide
Adjustable PTT coverage areas, security, and talkgroup configurations
100-entry internal phonebook
Integrated loudspeaker
Glare-resistant display
High capacity battery
Ingress Protection rating of IP65

Your teams around the world are ready to work and get the job done, and so is the Iridium Extreme PTT. Iridium offers specific PTT plans in a range of monthly and prepaid options with additional Talkgroup plans. Find them here.

Iridium GO

If transforming your smart phone into take anywhere satellite phone sounds more appealing to you, there is an even now an option for that. Better yet, by utilizing the same device you can also turn your tablet and laptop into fully functioning satellite devices, as well. This is all thanks to the easy to transport powerhouse that is Iridium GO.What is Iridium GO and how is it different from a satellite phone? Think of the Iridium GO as a fully functioning Wi-Fi hotspot that keeps you connected no matter where you go. Your smart devices that work perfectly near cell towers will be rendered useless once you head to more remote areas, that is until you connect them via the Iridium GO. Though you won’t make calls or send texts through the Iridium GO like you would the satellite phones on this list, it will ensure you can do that and more when your own smartphone is enabled on the Iridium network.Who does Iridium GO work best for? What makes the Iridium GO so alluring is that it has the ability to provide an uninterrupted satellite connection to up to 5 mobile devices. So if you are someone who needs constant access via your phone, tablet and laptop (for example), the Iridium GO is an excellent choice. Additionally, if you know you’ll be in and out of cellular range, the Iridium GO provides a way to access the Iridium satellite network only when necessary.Notable Features of the Iridium GO:

Allows the user to make and receive phone calls, use email, post to social media, access weather reports, and complete simple web searches
Connects via your smartphone’s Iridium Web and Mail App for enhanced capability
SOS signal allows first responders to identify your exact location in an emergency
Compact size fits in your pocket
Device will give your smart devices full satellite capabilities within a 100-foot radius
Ruggedly designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures, heavy rains, sand, or dust

We love the Iridium GO for the flexibility it gives its users. From the avid hiker to the executive who needs constant connection for business, this device is for anyone who needs to turn their smart device into a satellite device at a moment’s notice.As a data device, the Iridium GO plans differ from a typical satellite phone plan. You can find various monthly and prepaid options here.

Iridium Satellite Phone FAQ

Can you rent an Iridium satellite phone?

The needs of those requiring a satellite phone vary greatly, and that includes how long someone will need to use it. For many users, it doesn’t make sense to purchase a satellite phone. Your 2-week long backpacking trip, for example, means you’ll only need use of a satellite phone temporarily. Luckily, there are plenty of rental options available with any of the Iridium satellite phones.

How many satellites does Iridium have?

Though Iridium planned to launch 77 satellites, it was determined that only 66 were needed in order to allow for blanket coverage of Earth as desired. With the launch of Iridium NEXT in 2019, 66 crosslinked LEO satellites were put into orbit. There are also 9 spares in space to serve as replacements in case of failure among any which are currently active. This is the perfect number for users to have coverage pole-to-pole in remote land areas, through air, and over oceans.

What is Iridium NEXT?

Iridium NEXT is the second generation of satellites that allow for seamless global communication. They replaced the first generation satellites as each was launched by way of Falcon 9 rockets between the years of 2017 and 2019. The Iridium NEXT constellation consists of 66 active low-orbiting satellites that allow users to maintain connectivity in any remote area worldwide.

On top of shiny new satellite replacements, other upgrades as part of Iridium NEXT include:

data transmission features
L band data speeds of up to 128 kbps to mobile terminals
up to 1.5 Mbps to Irdium Pilot marine terminals
highspeed Ka-band service of up to 8 Mbps to fixed/transportable terminals

Perhaps one of the most noteworthy upgrades is the rollout of Iridium Certus, a specialty broadband service. The Iridium Certus service is a multi-solution platform that provides multiple high defintion voice lines, with IP data speeds up to 1.4 Mbps. Iridium knows its users need to stay connected worldwide, and they want this functionality with unmatched speed. Iridium Certus is helping individual consumers, large global companies, and everything in-between with its versatile range of offerings. To find out more read, “Iridium Certus: A Reliable Worldwide Network.”

Satmodo LLC is offering this information to be helpful and informative. This is not being offered as legal advice in any way. We highly encourage you to do your own research and contact the embassy or consulate for the country that you will be traveling too.

Terms

*One time $50 activation fee for all pre-paid and monthly plans

*All monthly plans are a 12 month contract