Iridium Satellite has kicked off its first annual "Test Your Satellite Phone" Week starting May 21, 2007. The goal of Test Your Satellite Phone Week is to increase satellite phone user knowledge. It is also set up to help users confirm their access to the critical communication services satellite phones provide before they're needed in an emergency.
Similar to the popular bi-annual testing of smoke alarms, this call-to-action is the first in an annual campaign to ensure that first responders know how to use their satellite phones and that they are, in fact, ready for use. Test Your Satellite Phone Week coincides with the U.S. National Weather Service's National Hurricane Preparedness Week.
In support of both week-long observances, Iridium hopes to raise more awareness of what first responders and commanders can do to be better prepared prior to disasters.
"Hurricane Katrina was a great example of why Test Your Satellite Phone Week is important," said Kim Fuller, emergency preparedness communications expert. "With landlines, cellular infrastructure and radio towers down, satellite phones were the only way to communicate. It is critical for first responders to have reliable and ready-for-use communication tools to be effective in response and recovery efforts."
The Iridium Test Your Satellite Phone Week campaign provides all Iridium subscribers a number that is free-of-charge . 00-1-480-752-5105 . for satellite phone testing. Through that number, callers will hear a recorded message confirming that their call was completed and offering quick tips on proper handset usage.
Iridium customers are not charged for air time on their satellite phone when calling this number. If customers find that their phones are not operational through this process, they can call their Iridium service provider for trouble-shooting.
In addition, Test Your Satellite Phone Week information can be found on http://www.iridium.com/. Tips and techniques available for satellite phone use and testing are included, such as:
+ Test your phone on a monthly basis.
+ Keep your phone's battery charged to ensure that it is ready for use when needed.
+ Allow the battery to discharge completely before fully re-charging.
+ Use the phone outside with a clear view of the sky and the horizon.
+ During use, ensure that the antenna is extended and rotated upward.
+ The dialing sequence is very similar to dialing an international phone call (00-country code-phone number).
+ To test your Iridium satellite phone, call 00-1-480-752-5105.
"As more and more first responders and commanders turn to satellite phones as their primary or backup emergency communications tool, we want to make sure the users are trained and the phones are ready to go before they need to use them," said Matt Desch, chairman and CEO, Iridium.
"We are encouraging our Iridium users, as well as all satellite phone users around the world, to take the important step of testing their phones regularly."
