The Iridium System

1
The Iridium System

• Presented to the Working Group on Emergency
  Telecommunications
• Tampere, Finland
• June 2006
• Laura B. Sherman ,Consultant
• Olga Madruga-Forti, Vice-President
• olga.m_at_iridium.com
• laurabsherman_at_yahoo.com

2
Iridium Satellite Constellation

• 66 satellites in polar orbit
• Communications are routed over inter-satellite
  links OR through terrestrial network
• Iridium phone-to-phone calls do NOT touch earth
• Truly ubiquitous coverage

3
True Global Service

• Each phone has own number
• Iridium has its own country code (8816), so no
  zones, no roaming rates, no long distance charges
• Pricing is not distance-sensitive
• Can be solar-charged so not dependent on
  electricity

4
Iridium Call Routing
Iridium-to-Iridium phone calls seamlessly transit
inter-satellite links, never relying on ground
transport. Iridium to PSTN calls go through
gateway in Arizona.
PSTN
Iridium Gateway Tempe, Arizona
Iridium Handset
5
Iridium Network Services

• Voice Services
• Iridium to Iridium phones (no terrestrial link)
• Iridium phone to PSTN
• PSTN to Iridium phone
• Data Services (through data unit attached to
  computer or special modem)
• E-mail
• Data transfer
• Asset tracking and reporting
• Sensing device attached to cargo, truck, medical
  supplies
• Can be programmed to measure temperature, to set
  off an alarm
• Asset deployment management (e.g., redirecting
  supply trucks)
• Paging messages sent through http//messaging.ir
  idium.com/, or through e-mail (pager number_at_msg.ir
  idium.com)

6
Pre-paid Calling Cards

• Metered use on any Iridium phone for relief
  victims or relief staff
• Can tailor card to specific circumstances or
  organization
• Can limit use to certain Iridium phone numbers
  and can limit destinations of calls
• Dollar amount can be adjusted
• Organization identifier
• Prompts available in different languages
• Greater flexibility on pricing possible

7
Iridium System Features

• Hand-held (antenna built in) or separate antenna
  mounted on vehicle or building
• Interoperable with other equipment
• Walkie-talkies with key pads can be turned into
  Iridium phones by connecting base station to
  Iridium network
• Using software platform can communicate with VHF
  radios
• Phones resistant to water, dust and shock
• 21 language choices for prompts
• 30 hours of standby time/3.6 hours of talk time

8
Iridium Service Providers

• Iridium operates network (satellites, gateways,
  operational control)
• Iridium sells service through worldwide network
  of about 66 Service Providers KDDI, Telstra,
  Telespazio, FT, Stratos, Telenor and unlimited
  number of Resellers
• Service Providers compete with each other
• Rental vs. purchase of phones
• Different ways of charging for services
• Pre-paid service
• Post-paid service
• Monthly or per minute charges
• Minimum monthly commitment or no usage commitment
• First responder and relief organizations should
  contact Iridium to locate Service Provider which
  can tailor service/phones to specific needs

9
Equipment Configurations
Vehicular Mount, Docking Stations and Tracking
Modem
Solar Charger
Handheld
Antenna options
10
Asset Tracking Applications
11
Iridium Voice and Data Traffic in the U.S. Gulf
Region August 19, 2005

• Late August -- Iridium used along Gulf coast by
  commercial vessels oil gas installations.

• Each white dot represents voice or data call on
  system.

12
Iridium Voice and Data Traffic in the U.S. Gulf
Region Late August, 2005
After
13
Historical usage of Iridium for Disaster Recovery

• Taiwan Earthquake (1999)
• South Pole rescue (2001)
• September 11 (2001)
• Asian Tsunami (2004)
• Hurricane Season in US and Caribbean (2005)
• Pakistani Earthquake (2005)

14
Governmental Issues

• Government authorization for deployment of phones
  should be in place in advance
• WHY?
• Sri Lanka after the Tsunami -- Emergency
  regulatory authority had to be requested prior to
  deployment of phones
• Pakistani Earthquake Emergency regulatory
  authority requested and granted in seven days
• United States Following Hurricane Katrina,
  request for additional spectrum granted in 24
  hours
• Mexico Authorization to provide service not in
  place for Katrina response

15
The Time Line
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Warning
Rebuild
Evacuation
Disaster Strikes
Cleanup
First Responders
Search Rescue
Reinforcements Arrive
Disaster Assessment
16
In Sum . . .

• Disasters can occur at any time and anywhere
• Only system capable of providing service anywhere
  in the world
• Instantly available when relief workers first
  arrive on-site
• Throughout recovery period, Iridium service is
  available on both a mobile and fixed basis
• No advance contractual arrangements/reservations
  necessary
• Iridium equipment readily available -- rental and
  purchase
• Complements longer term, less mobile solutions

17
Challenges Ahead

• Government Action
• Greater awareness of Tampere Convention and need
  to ratify and implement it
• Advance authorization of satellite phone
  deployment
• Sign GMPCS MOU to facilitate customs clearance
  (recognition of certified equipment e.g., CE,
  GMPCS)
• Operators and Responders
• Forward deployment of equipment or reservation of
  needed equipment
• Train users dialing, power supply, location of
  caller
• Continual preparation!!