Testing Your Satellite Phone
Satellite phones are crucial to have on hand in emergencies, remote trips, and other circumstances, but they don’t always get used frequently. We strongly suggest for satellite phone owners to find their device and make sure the terminal is active and functional. That way you have your satellite phone on hand and ready when you need it.
Once you have located your sat phone, check that all the necessary accessories are accounted for. Confirm that the battery can hold a charge by fully charging the phone. You will also want to make sure that the airtime for the terminal is active and you know how to use the phone.
Two leaders in the satellite communications manufacturing industry, Inmarsat and Iridium, have a free service for checking your satellite phone. This free service was designed for customers who may not use their satellite phone regularly – such as first responders and anyone keeping a satellite phone in an emergency kit. By spending a few minutes testing your satellite phone, you will be better prepared in case of emergency.
Iridium’s Free Test Call
To test the connectivity of your Iridium satellite phone, make sure you are outdoors with an unobstructed view of the sky and horizon. Once you have powered the phone on, extended the antenna and registered on the network you can dial the free Iridium test number. Dial 00-1-480-752-5105 then hit send. If your phone is in working order, a recorded confirmation message will play. Congratulations! Your satellite phone is ready to use. This call is free and works for all Iridium units: Iridium 9505A, Iridium 9555 and the Iridium 9575 Extreme.
Inmarsat’s IsatPhone FREE Test call
When testing your IsatPhone 2, head outdoors, to an open space with an unobstructed view of the sky and horizon. Turn on the equipment and rotate the antenna so it is directed towards the sky. Allow the device time to acquire a GPS and register on the network. Press the free Inmarsat test number +870-776-999-999, then hit the green send button. You will hear a recording to affirm that your phone is working correctly. Once you hear the message, great! Your satellite phone is in working order and ready to be used.
Contact Us
If your free test call is unsuccessful or you don’t know how to use your phone, reach out to the experts: Remote Satellite Systems can help! We can assist your with using your satellite phone and making sure your device has airtime or service. Dial 888-989-8199 to speak to a representative.
When you need communication we sell both satellite communications devices and connect our customers to satellite service, depending on the specific needs of the customer. When ground communication is unavailable, we help keep you connected. Search our website for state of the art options from Iridium, Immarsat, Globalstar, and Thuraya.