ICASA approves Iridium satellite phones

Previously, communication services in South Africa on the Iridium satellite network were only available under the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) roaming GMPCS Memorandum of Understanding, of which South Africa is a signatory. So although the services were available, they weren't offered under license in the country.

But with the recent establishment of Iridium South Africa as a license provider and ICASA's authorisation for the company to operate, provide and sell mobile satellite services in the country, communications licenses are now being awarded to compliant service providers.

It also offers a full range of reliable outside broadcast services, with full portability. This means OB units are constantly connected, no matter where they're located, with the enhanced capability of broadcasting on the move, whether the unit is stationed on land, in the air or at sea.

This is useful for government departments and international agencies working in the areas of military, media, mining and disaster management. It also eradicates previous satellite communications concerns for stakeholders in the local maritime sector and those operating South African registered vessels.

Through the Iridium satellite network, the company provides such clients with secure voice and data communications solutions, from anywhere, to anywhere, and no matter what the environment. It also offers secure connectivity to any destination in the world.

Among the Iridium products, it offers are the MCG-101 Single Channel PBX and MCG-108 Multichannel Satellite PBX, two systems designed specifically for use in disaster management situations and the 9555 Satellite Phone, a rugged, compact and portable satellite handset.