Although it offers data transfer speeds out of the 90s, the Iridium Go! hotspot’s 2.4 kbps beats what you’ve got right now in the back country which is generally bupkiss. And by back country, I don’t just mean the American wilderness; Iridium is used worldwide. For many years the military and other specialized users have relied on data transfer via Iridium satellite phones but the company has not offered a purpose built, commercialized hotspot until now. Granted, there’s a Thuraya device out there that some of you may be familiar with but coverage is limited, whereas Iridium is worldwide (land and sea). Go! will allow you to connect up to 5 wireless devices to a 30.5-meter (100 foot) radius hotspot. While internet access might seem painfully slow, that text and email functionality you’ve never had will be great. Sending photos will be possible but you’ll have to learn to live with low res chips and not high def panoramas. You can also use it to make calls and the Go! has built-in SOS and GPS modes. Even better? It’s forward compatible with Iridium Next, a satellite based network they are rolling out to increase speeds to near 3G/4G levels so web browsing you’re used to at home is coming.
Measuring 114 x 83 x 32 mm (4.5 x 3.25 x 1.25 in) and weighing in at 295 g (10.4 oz) the Go! charges via microUSB, and can connect to up to five mobile devices at a time. To turn it on, flip up the antenna and connect your device via the Iridium Go app on your smartphone or tablet available for both iOS and Android. The Go! also boasts MIL-STD 810F ruggedness.
Coming fall, 2014.
Tags: Iridium
This is pretty cool. I’ve been using Iridium for reporting and tasking and it works great for that. The coverage is solid and it’s been more reliable for me than other providers.
Globalstar just announced a similar product, but it should have much better data speed as their new galaxy of satellites uses much newer technology. They have replaced their first galaxy of satellites that were dying and their voice system is working again. Globalstar is calling it Sky Fi and is touting that it can handle voice over wi fi smartphones.
Then there is Inmarsat’s BGAN, though voice with a satellite in geosynchronous orbit isn’t much fun due to the long travel time of the signal. The data speed is bearable for FTP, email and limited browsing, though the ping times are rather long.
And nope, don’t get anything from either vendor, but used all three systems back in my journalist days covering hurricanes.
BGANs are great when you’re the only guy in the AoR but turn completely useless when flooded. I suppose in theory Iridium could get saturated but I have yet to experience it (unlike BGAN death). I’ll have to check out Globalstars offering. Haven’t used them in years.
I remember throwing out pallets of RBGAN’s. sad days
Now all I need to do is to to get these mobile hotspots in Australia. What a great idea! http://www.actiongear.com.au