Frequently Asked

Iridium runs a constellation of 66 cross-linked satellites in low Earth orbit, which gives it genuine pole-to-pole coverage — including open ocean, desert, polar regions and anywhere else terrestrial networks stop.

The only real requirement is a clear view of the sky. There is no roaming map to check and no partner network to fall back on.

No. The handset talks to the satellites directly, so it is completely independent of local cell towers, landlines and internet access.

Not reliably. The signal needs line of sight to the sky, so dense forest canopy, deep valleys, tight urban streets and building interiors will all degrade or drop the connection.

If you need to make calls from inside a vehicle, vessel or building, an external antenna is the usual answer — it lets the handset sit indoors while the antenna keeps a clear view.

Expect the handset to take a short moment to register with the network after you extend the antenna, and a call to take noticeably longer to connect than a mobile call. Satellite latency also puts a small delay into the conversation itself.

It comes down to how you will use it. Handheld phones suit hiking, expeditions and back-up communications for travel; docked and vehicle-mounted units suit maritime, overland and fixed remote sites where the antenna can stay outside permanently.

Every listing sets out the coverage, battery life and accessories for that model.

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Each product page lists exactly what ships in that box, including the antenna, charger and any cables or cases bundled with the model. Accessories sold separately are listed on the same page.

Yes. Every handset we sell carries the manufacturer warranty in addition to your statutory rights, and the terms for a given model are shown on its product page.

In most cases yes, provided it is an Iridium-compatible handset and is not locked to another provider. Send us the model and the IMEI and we will confirm before you order a SIM.

Prepaid means you buy a bundle of airtime up front and top it up when it runs low — no contract, no monthly commitment, and it is the right fit for occasional trips and seasonal use.

Postpaid bills you monthly against usage and suits organisations with continuous operations. Prepaid is what we sell today; postpaid plans are on the roadmap.

You order the SIM and plan through the site, complete identity verification, and we activate the line once that check clears. You will get the phone number and confirmation by email.

Self-service activation and top-up directly from your account is the next step we are building.

Satellite airtime is a regulated telecoms service, and the rules in most countries require an operator to identify the subscriber before a line can be activated. It is the same obligation that sits behind mobile SIM registration.

Verification runs through a specialist provider. We hold only the result of the check and a reference for it — never a copy of your ID document.

Prepaid bundles carry a validity period, and topping up before it lapses generally carries the remaining balance forward. The validity that applies to each bundle is shown with the plan.

A satellite line gets its own number, which is separate from your mobile number and cannot be ported across from a terrestrial network. If you already hold an Iridium number with another reseller, contact us and we will look at what is possible.

Available destinations and delivery estimates are shown at checkout once you enter your address. Satellite equipment is export-controlled in some markets, so a small number of destinations cannot be served.

Unused equipment in its original packaging can be returned within the statutory cancellation period. Activated SIMs and consumed airtime cannot be refunded once the line is live.

Prices are shown with the tax treatment that applies to your delivery address, and the exact figure is confirmed at checkout before you pay. Business customers can enter a VAT ID during checkout.

The payment methods available to you are listed at checkout. Card payments are supported, and we can arrange invoicing for business and fleet orders — get in touch before you order.

You can buy equipment as a guest, but anything involving a SIM needs an account — that is where identity verification, your active lines and your airtime history live.

Send us the phone number or the SIM card number (ICCID) along with what you are seeing, and we will pick it up from there. Including your account number speeds things up considerably.

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Inquiries sent through the contact form are answered in the order they arrive during business days. Flag anything safety-critical clearly in your message and we will prioritise it.