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Iridium info
I've done some pretty extensive testing with the Iridiumm 9505a and the datakit. I work for a small "quasi-tactical" comms unit in Europe. Iridium proves the Direct Connect software which utilizes a type of compression to give you internet connect speeds up to 9.6K, yes I said K as in kilobytes. I have not had huge success with the 9.6k but think that is due to our government provided Iridium Service Provider. 2.4K is what you will connect at if you use a traditional dial-up ISP and skip Iridium's service. I will tell you from experience, 2.4k is painfully slow for websurfing, no matter how you slice it. Some people have had luck using a "mobile phone" browser page that is very limited in the "flashiness". It should work fine for pop3 email through outlook. We use Immarsat and iridium, immarsat obviously will give you better bandwidth if that is your goal, up to 64k with a storm terminal, but iridium is far easier to use, and more compact. The phone and datakit will easily fit in your laptop bag. As far as reception, iridium is the only sat phone, as in cellphone type that is truly global. Their SatGrid covers everywhere, even the oceans, if your planning to stay on the dirt, then that isn't an issue. We have personally used our iridiums in many parts of Africa and can assure you they work there, at least for voice. You can even get an iridium charger that is solar powered so you can truly be off the grid and not have to carry so many batteries.
Let me know if I can help anymore.
R/
ETCheeves
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