Iridium To Provide Communications Service Along Canadian Trans-Labrador Highway

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is establishing an Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium)-based satellite phone service for motorists on the Trans-Labrador Highway.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched this new Iridium-based satellite phone program for the Trans-Labrador Highway to ensure they had the most reliable communications capability possible. The Iridium solution replaces and upgrades previous communications services from other providers. Through this program, local hotel operators will offer Iridium phones as loaners to motorists traveling along the highway. The phones will be pre-programmed to direct calls to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which will coordinate necessary emergency responses directly or through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Trans-Labrador Highway is made up of more than 950 miles of asphalt and gravel road, with very few turnoffs or stops, in a remote region of northeastern Canada.

“We are confident that the Iridium phones will provide a more reliable and consistent performance communication lifeline, which is very important as it is the only means of communication on a long, desolate stretch of highway,” said Trevor Taylor, transportation minister for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC