I have an
Iridium phone aboard for
safety and the occasional
phone call home. I called on 12/31/2004 to refill my pre-paid card, but Outfitter
Satellite, was closed for the holidays. When I got through today I was informed that as of 1/1/2005 minimum size refill that you can get is a $500 + $40 tax! It used to be $200.
For $200 I'm willing to have a sat phone aboard for
safety and saying hi to mom & dad every once in a while. But $500 is pushing the limit. I just don't need 500 minutes of talk time. I'm sure that lots of other cruisers are in the same situation.
So, if you fall into the category of people that consider this a stupid rate plan, feel free to send e-mail to mailto:sales@iridium.com and mailto:marketing@iridium.com and let them know what you think. I know that I did. I don't know that it will do any good, but it's at least worth letting them know what you think.
-- Geoff