Mobile phone "Iridium Extreme" which can communicate and talk from a remote area using a satellite that is above 780 km as a base station Review

By accessing artificial satellites from mobile phones, it is possible to make calls and communication even in places where radio waves from ground base stations do not reach "Satellite phone". In Japan, using the satellite network "Iridium" launched by a company under Motorola, KDDI is providing services and it is possible to use a terminal called "Iridium Extreme", check borrowed from the real machine and check every corner I decided to see.

◆ Structure of iridium

Since we are building a communication network using 66 artificial satellites located at about 780 km above the ground, the whole Earth is the service area. In addition, it is said that it is impossible to use in the North-East region of North Korea and Sri Lanka, so it may be impossible to talk in indoor places and places where the sky is not widely seen.

The image of the network is as follows, Iridium mobile phone call only via artificial satellite, call with normal phone via artificial satellite via 'earth station'.


The satellite used for communication is like this. IncidentallyDescription of WikipediaAccording to it, because it reflects shiny light and light well, it is highly visible from the ground and sometimes misunderstood as UFO.


In addition, KDDI'ssiteThe following two points are introduced as merit of Iridium mobile.

Because iridium communicates via satellite, it can be used in places where there is no communication means on the ground. It is compact and ideal for carrying.

Fixed · In case of disaster · Even in places where mobile phone can be used, regulation may be applied and it may be unusable. Iridium utilizing satellites can talk without being affected.

◆ Photo review

The demonstration aircraft arrived with a rough package.


The terminal seems to be made in Malaysia.


The size of the main body is about 1 degree larger than iPhone 4, but the vertical length is nearly doubled because it has a thick antenna.


Weight is about 246 grams and it is easy to carry around.


The size to fit in the shrub in the hand of an adult man.


The side is made of rubber and has irregularities, making it very hard to slip.


It looks like an old cell phone, but it is a state-of-the-art terminal. In addition, the body size is vertical 140 × width 60 × thickness 27 mm, can operate in the environment of -10 to 55 ° C. Although it can not bear the submergence, it does not break down if the water is hanging over with a barba safer, it can be used even in situations that are covered with dust.


The key looks like this.


Unevenness is large, firm pushing feeling of feeling like bubble wrap.


The back matte black color one. This side is also made of material like rubber and it seems to be slippery when putting it on a car dashboard etc.


To remove the battery pack, turn the metal knob.


When twisted counterclockwise ... ....


"Pakkatsu" and removable. Battery capacity is 2300 mAh and stands for about 30 hours continuously, continuous calling for about 4 hours is possible.


Pull the card slot to the photo left ... ....


I get up at an angle of about 45 degrees so I can pull it out.


The letters of IRIDIUM are also written on the card.


The opposite side is red and black stripes. In addition, I tried inserting au 's SIM card and I could not use it.


The side that becomes right when talking is like this.


Because there is a strap hole ... ....


It can be used as follows. When using it on a ship with a tremorous shaking or the like it is quite encouraging that this is there.


Thickness is about 3 times that of iPhone 4.


There is also a headphone jack but because it is a narrow hole,headset(2100 yen including tax) etc must be used.


By pressing the button at the top of the terminal, you can also use the GPS to determine the current position with one shot.


There are parts where the display of Japanese is not covered, but position information is displayed properly.


The left side looks like this.


Volume adjustment button is attached.


The bottom part is as follows.


Terminals used for charging etc. appear when opening the cover.


To charge the battery, first install the following adapter at the bottom.


If you push it "click" OK.


It can be installed like this.


In addition, a dedicated AC adapter ......


Put "and insert it.


Then you can charge like this.


It is lightweight less than 400 grams even if the body and charging set 1 type are combined.


The upper part of the main body is as follows.


The power button is like this.


When I stretch the antenna, it feels like this.


Because there is a cap written "SOS" ... ....


There is a red button inside as you open it. By setting in advance, you can send an SMS or make a call to inform emergency situation to a specific person by pressing this button.


◆ Price

The charger, headset, auxiliary antenna etc attached to the main unit "Iridium standard set" is as follows, the actual selling price is around 250,000 yen including tax.


The fee for line contract is 2 patterns of 6000 yen per month and 5000 yen per month. The 5000 yen plan comes with 1000 yen for free calls and the 6000 yen plan comes with 2000 yen charge for free calls.


Communication charges are 55 yen / 20 seconds for 6000 yen fixed phone / ordinary mobile phone, 63 yen / 20 seconds for 5000 yen plan, 35 yen / 20 seconds for Iridium mobile phone destination, 6000 yen plan, 5,000 yen / 20 seconds, 5000 For yen plan, it is 40 yen / 20 seconds, and incoming calls are all free.


In addition, although it becomes only the old model, rental is also possible from 24,000 yen a week.


It is not a casual price that ordinary people can purchase, but it seems to be useful for enterprise's disaster countermeasures when going out for the adventure of the first generation.

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I actually tried using the satellite phone "Iridium Extreme" in the mountains where 3G is out of the service area