Overview
All Iridium products operate anywhere on the planet, which means both North and South poles, open oceans, all continents, stationary or moving or flying as long as the GO is exposed to the open sky. And with a 100 foot (30 meters) Wi-Fi range, one may connect a smart device to the GO while inside.
There are 66 Iridium satellites in various Low-Earth-Orbits, 490 miles above the Earth’s surface, traveling from horizon to horizon with a maximum view time of 10 minutes each. Here is a Youtube Video that shows the Iridium orbits. When one satellite drops below the horizon, another is already in view… however for best results to stay connected, use the GO! under a big sky.
Iridium GO! – Data Minutes
Iridium GO! data minutes are simply a dial-up connection to the internet. When browsing or using email, your GO! terminal will automatically connect to the Internet by dialing a phone number. Since it is a phone call to the internet, it’s billed on a per-minute basis.
Also, since the GO! can only make one call at a time, you can’t be on the internet and make a phone call at the same time. For new subscribers, we highly recommend using the unlimited data plan when initially starting GO! service since you can be connected any length of time. Once acclimated to the GO!, downgrade to a lower plan if you find that you are not using the service much.
Iridium GO! GPS Tracking
The Iridium GO! has a valuable GPS tracking features that can instantly show your current GPS to any email or SMS text of your current location instantly. Emails or SMS texts also include a web Google Maps link to your current location.
Iridium GO GPS tracking can also be automated where the GO’s GPS location is sent every 5 minutes to once a week… an excellent option for fleet tracking or mapping of maritime vessels. Iridium GO Tracking Information.
SOS Settings
The Iridium GO! offers a programmable SOS button that can be configured to notify specified contacts in the case of an emergency. Once configured, an SOS can be initiated either from the Iridium GO! device or application.
An SOS initiated by pressing the SOS button on the Iridium GO! device will only send an emergency message with location information, while an SOS initiated from the Iridium GO! application will also provide the option for two-way voice communication with the designated contact.
GEOS Safety Services
To support the SOS feature, Iridium has contracted with GEOS Travel Safety Group to provide an emergency response coordination service for your Iridium GO! at no additional charge.
These services are offered and provided exclusively by GEOS and not by Iridium which is a separate, unrelated company. Standard airtime charges will apply to SOS mode messages and/or calls to GEOS, a valid Iridium SIM subscription and online registration at https://my-geos.com/registration is required.
User Permissions – Firewall Control – Wi-Fi Security
Advanced screens allow the the owner to add users to grant permissions for giving priority ranking, making calls, sending messages, receiving messages, access to twitter, or sending a Quick GPS message.
The Iridium Go Advanced screens give robust Firewall controls for blocking or allowing only access to a single IP addresses, or IP address range, and ports for TCP/UDP.
Wi-Fi Security on the GO by default is not blocked, however since connecting to the Iridium network can only be done through the GO app, that has a login and password, the connection is secure.
Using Twitter via Iridium GO!
To link your Twitter account with your Iridium GO! device, login to Twitter.com and update your Account settings with the Iridium phone number. Once the Iridium GO! has been linked to your Twitter account, posting messages within the Iridium GO! Twitter feature will post directly to your Twitter profile. Further information on Tweeting via SMS can be found at https://help.twitter.com/en.
Iridium RUDICS Supported
The Iridium Router-Based Unrestricted Digital Internetworking Connectivity Solutions (RUDICS) is an enhanced data service that allows customers who have requirements for large data transfers the ability to transfer data via reliable, affordable, multi-protocol Mobile Originated (MO) and Mobile Terminated (MT) circuit switched data connectivity across the Iridium satellite network.
Captain and Crew Calling
A captain or crew calling scratch card can be used in the Iridium GO! device. The application can be configured to dial the first stage dialing number and submit the captain PIN or crew scratch # automatically. Configure this setting at Settings -> Captain/Crew Calling option.