Motorola 9500 - Iridium Phone

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Iridium - Motorola 9500 satellite mobile phone is the original Iridium
phone and the first wireless phone in history to provide total global coverage.

Motorola's Satellite 9500 phone provides global, reliable voice and data for individuals who live and work in areas outside of cellular network coverage, or in places with poor landline services. Satellite calls can be routed directly from the satellite phone to the Iridium satellites orbiting above a user's location. Global phone satellite service enables users to communicate in any remote regions where wireless or landline networks are limited, nonexistent or developing. This satellite phone also provides an excellent communication tool for homeland security applications. With Iridium service you can stay in touch across seas and time zones, in remote locations and on the go.

Using Iridium 9500 satellite phone

The Iridium 9500 Satellite Series™ Phone is a rugged solution to meet any of your global satellite needs. The 9500 phone is the first model of satellite phones released by Iridium. 9500s are no longer in production and a rarity to find - even used ones. Even though the phone is slightly larger and heavier than the 9505 phone, this option offers a cost-effective way to gain access to Iridium's completely global service. All new 9500 units come with a 1-year warranty.

The 9500 Portable Satellite Phone provides global, reliable voice and data. Iridium Satellite provides solutions for individuals who live and work in areas outside of cellular network coverage, or in places with poor landline services. Satellite calls can be routed directly from the satellite phone to the Iridium satellites orbiting the earth.

The Motorola 9500 series portable satellite phone provides reliable voice and communications, worldwide. Weighing less than 16 ounces, and with a battery life of 20 hours standby and 2 hours talk, the 9500 series is simple to use, supports multiple languages and is data-capable.

Motorola Satellite Phones

Iridium 9505 & 9500 demo
phones at our office.

Six years ago we spent two weeks using an Iridium satellite phone, from urban rooftops in Toronto and Vanocuver, suburban backyards, and rural farmlands in Saskatchewan. Motorola 9500 weighs 16.5 ounces, runs for two hours of talk time on a lithium-ion battery (16 hours in standby mode), and has the dimensions of a small shoe. With the antenna fully extended, the phone doubles in length. You can't fit this phone in your pocket, but then again, no other phone this small gives you global, albeit finicky, coverage.

Call quality is extremely sensitive to any obstructions between the phone's antenna and the satellite overhead. The phone does best on country roads, flat terrain, hilltops, and farm fields. Calls made in rural Saskatchewan were completed successfully and didn't drop. Even driving 50 miles an hour along rural back roads, we were able to keep a lock on the satellite overhead.

Pelican case for
Motorola/Iridium 9500

If you travel to remote locations and conduct business there, then this phone will get you connected. If you merely travel to exotic locations where there's an existing landline or cellular service, then don't get an Iridium phone. No matter how ridiculous the hotel charges may be for a long distance call, odds are it's still cheaper and better-sounding than the same call made through Iridium. As a fetish object, however, the Iridium phone is very effective. People have stoped us anywhere we used it and asked to touch it.

Basic charge includes a flat fee for the first week's hire with a reducing daily rate per week after that (see rate card). To that you only need to add your call charges, a statement itemising calls will be forwarded to you usually within 7-14 days post-hire to reconcile your account.

Iridium is easy to use and provides safety and security if you are travelling independently or when shared amongst a group of friends wanting to keep in touch with home. We have access to numerous handsets to cater for government, industry and commercial needs in addition to individual recreational users.

Motorola Iridium Satellite Phone Specification

Table: Iridium Motorola 9500 tech specs
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications:
Operating Frequency:	1616 - 1626.5 MHz, L-Band
Duplexing Method:	Time Division Duplex(TDD)
Multiplexing Method:	TDMA/FDMA (GSM)
Link Margin:	15.5 dB average
Average Power:	0.57 Watts average
CEIRP Average:	-1.9 dBW
Sensitivity:	-117.9 dBm
TX Spurs General EIRP:	-60 dBW
TX Spurs GNSS 1559-1605 MHz:	-80 dBW
TX Noise GNSS 1559-1650 MHz:	-70 BW/MHz
Standard Battery Life :
Continuous Talk Time:	Up to 2hrs (3.2 hours with the optional High Capacity Battery or 5.5 hrs with the optional Ultra High Capacity Battery)
Standby Time:	Up to 16hrs (24 hours with the optional High Capacity Battery or 48 hrs with the optional Ultra High Capacity Battery)
Mechanical & Environmental:
Weight:	Under 454g (16oz)
Dimensions:	7.60"L x 2.44"W x 2.66 "D (193mm L x 62mm H x 68mm D)
Operating Temperature:	-30ºC - 60ºC