Vizada Wants Customers and Partners to “Test Your Satellite Phone” Now
Iridium Program Encourages Satellite Phone Users to Be Prepared for Response, Relief and Recovery Operations Before the Next Disaster
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With the start of Atlantic Hurricane Season, Vizada, the world’s leading satellite communications provider, once again asks its partners and end-users to “Test Your Satellite Phone” as part of Iridium’s annual initiative. Recent disasters in Haiti and Tennessee demonstrate clearly why emergency workers and first responders should ensure that their satellite phones are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. Vizada was recently named as Iridium’s top distribution partner.
The Test Your Satellite Phone initiative asks all Iridium subscribers to use their satellite phone to call 00-1-480-752-5105 to ensure their device is working properly. Callers will hear a recorded message confirming that their call was completed and offering refresher tips on proper handset usage. Iridium does not charge its customers for air time on their satellite phone when they call this number.
“When the earthquake hit in Haiti, we needed to help all our service provider partners who work with numerous government organizations and NGOs to provide immediate, life-critical communications during and after events,” said Art Silcox, key account manager, Vizada Government Sales. “Testing your satellite devices on a regular basis is critical for any customer but especially those involved in emergency services. This simple practice gets personnel on the ground and ready to help much more quickly.”
As part of its support for emergency workers and first responders globally, Vizada offers a unique batch activation service for both Iridium and BGAN services. Up to 20 SIM cards can be activated within minutes for these services via Vizada’s Web-based account management tool, The Source®.
Vizada also activates all Iridium subscribers with the ability to use its SkyFile® Mail solution over Iridium’s RUDICS platform providing first responders easy access to email while deployed. SkyFile Mail over Iridium’s RUDICS platform enhances connection quality and reduces connection time by over 50%. SkyFile Mail is a free messaging and compression tool that allows users on land or sea to send reliable and cost-effective emails, e-faxes and SMS messages on Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya mobile satellite terminals.
“We welcome Vizada’s participation in this important annual public service program,” said Don Thoma, executive vice president, marketing, for Iridium. “Thousands of first responders, emergency relief and recovery workers, and organizations with international operations depend on Iridium satellite phones for vital communications in the aftermath of natural and manmade disasters, and it’s vitally important that they be fully prepared before disasters strike.”
If customers find that their phones are not operational through this process, they should call Vizada’s service hotline for troubleshooting the phone:
Tel: +1 301 838 7700 (worldwide)
Tel: 1 800 685 7898 (toll free number for North America)
customercare.us@vizada.com
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. and international government agencies. The company's customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. The company is headquartered in McLean, Va., USA and trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units).
Vizada
Vizada is the worldwide leading independent provider of global satellite communications, with more than $700 million in 2009 revenue, and more market share on more satellite networks than any other satellite communications provider in the world. Vizada customers include commercial, military and business aircraft, merchant shipping vessels, emergency response teams, government and military units, news gathering organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Vizada offers fixed and mobile communications services using multiple satellite network operators, including, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Loral, New Skies, SES Americom and Thuraya. Gateway access to these networks is made possible through the Vizada Global Teleport Network – five state-of-the-art facilities strategically positioned around the world. Vizada also provides Vizada Solutions™, leading edge technologies for IP & networking, messaging, business tools, prepaid solutions, fixed2mobile services and secure communications. Vizada has regional centers of operation located in Washington D.C., United States for the Americas and Paris, France for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
CONTACT:
Vizada Americas
Catherine Melquist, +1-301-838-7762
Marketing Director
catherine.melquist@vizada.com
or
Vizada EMEAA
Annie Hurley, +33 1 48 15 73 04
Corporate Press Officer
annie.hurley@vizada.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America District of Columbia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Telecommunications Satellite Mobile/Wireless
MEDIA:
| Logo |
