Iridium - Which Provider ?

[Oliver L.]

Hi,

with our boat we got an Iridium phone. For safety reasons I would like to have a card in it, but I would not like a monthly fee. Checking on Iridium.com they list about 20 companies for voice service. Before I inquire with each of them, can you give me some guidance? Specifically,

- can you get prepaid cars for Iridium that work without a monthly fee?
- which provider is the best for Europe?

Thanks in advance - getting ready for our first excursions...

Oliver

[duncan_ellison]

Hi Oliver,

FYI ALL Iridium providers have effectively a monthly fee in the sense that you can buy e.g. 500 minutes for 3 months, but at the end of the 3 months you lose ALL your minuites unless you top up end extend for a further n months.

It's a pain, but there you are. Iridium make the rules, not the providers.

Duncan

[MacG]

Iridium service providers & satellite phones | Satellite Phone FAQ

I know that Orange, France, sells pre-paid cards but there is indeed a time limit.
After the expiry of the card you have some time to upgrade and your left-over minutes will become in the clear again. However, that have to be done in e certain time-span. Otherwise you will lose them as Duncan wrote before.

[Oliver L.]

Duncan, Mac,

thanks for the quick answer. Any idea how much these minutes run?

Oliver

[Palarran]

I purchased a 3000 minute card that lasts 2 years and can be renewed with another minute plan purchase.
I used these guys:
Iridium Airtime Rates - Airtime

If you travel much, at a dollar a minute it's a very good deal, IMO.

[MacG]

What I know from friends it is indeed around 1.00 / 1.10 per minute.