Satellite phones

[spicy]

A friend called from Kilimanjaro today on a US Sat phone and left a number for me to call him back but I've been getting put through to US landlines that are totally wrong numbers. I have never tried calling a Sat phone before and BT didn't have a clue what was happening (said it must be a US problem not them). I don't know if I was doing something stupid. I used the US code in front of the number I've got. Does anyone know if this is correct?

When I tried to find out what's happening I was told various things from that phone number isn't registered/doesn't exist, it's switched off to it's in the Indian Ocean! Who can I contact to find out what the problem is?

The answer phone recording isn't clear and I can't tell if he made the summit or not so I'm ready to burst.

Thank you

>> Edited by spicy on Wednesday 27th July 22:30

[HarryW]

Chances are its an 'Iridium' phone as far as I'm aware there is direct dial to them to/from anywhere in the world. Not sure of the access code though, is his number a 12 digit one? if so it may be 8816 or 8817, if not try operator again for access to Iridium.
Wasn't so long ago you had to be American wearing a funny moustache, black T shirt, chino's and 'packing' to have one; or if you were a Brit you had to have a dinner suit and drive a DB5 .

Harry

[spicy]

Yep starts 8816 and has 12 digits. Thanks for that I'll try him tomorrow. Direct dialling is the one thing I didn't do.

He didn't sound good at all but that could just be exhaustion.

Thanks again

He has a car and motorbike collection to die for but no gun! He's also been to Mr Hefners pool party!!

>> Edited by spicy on Wednesday 27th July 23:16

[HarryW]

Ah if its already 88.. then just try dialing the international code 00 then 88......
Re the quality/sounding ill the encoding/data rate used does give voices a funny sound with lots of lag too.

Harry

[polar_ben]

Ah, one of my specialist subjects...

+8816 is Iridium. They make you sound like a robot, so don't worry about that too much.

You can send him a text message for free at http://messaging.iridium.com/

>> Edited by polar_ben on Wednesday 27th July 23:22

[spicy]

Thanks Guys, I have been worried because he sounded very bad but at least now I know that's probably the Sat phone. I just sent a message to him. Thank you polar_ben for that link.

Wow polar_ben what amazing achievements!!

>> Edited by spicy on Wednesday 27th July 23:39

[polar_ben]

Thanks, spicy

I'm glad I could help out (and I hope your friend is ok!)

[spicy]

He phoned tonight after he got the text message. He made it and he wants to do Everest and the poles next. He has been truely inspired by his achievement.

Thanks again for your help Guys

[HarryW]

Good to hear, do it whilst he has the time, inclination and determination I say . Beleive me situations/things change in life so fast its worth seizing the moment.

Harry