Emergency Communication

"Shortly after the World Trade Towers were struck, [the phone company] lost all service from their West Street Central switching office. My cell phone was essentially useless, as was our land line home line. I walked out to a clear area on our street and turned on my Iridium handset. It quickly responded with 'Registered' and the signal came up. It meant more than I can say to have that call go through at that moment. I can carry my Iridium handset regardless of how short a trip may be. Your service is an indispensable communications tool."
-Gerals Anzano, ING Asset Management.

When disasters hit such has floods, hurricanes or even terrorist attacks one needs to take into account that the usual communication equipment may not be in working order. Governments need to be more aware of the need for reliable, global and even portable communications systems. Iridium offers a range of products for first responders in these situations.

The products can handle different applications such as Fixed or Mobile communications, asset tracking, short message service (SMS), E-mail and so on.
The equipment used to cover the above can range from handheld portable phones, docking stations, vehicular mount antennas, solare chargers and so on.

Finally all of the above brings on various benefits:

• Global Coverage - the only system that works everywhere in the world


• Quick setup and rapid deployment


• Calls transit inter-satellite links meaning less reliance on ground infrastructure


• Iridium to Iridium calls go directly from satellite phone to satellite phone, never relying on ground transport


• Instantly available when relief workers first arrive on site.


• Real-time tracking and communications with critical assets

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC